Too good to be true offer should ring alarm bells

Date published: 17 August 2010

Police and Lancashire Trading Standards are warning residents to be on their guard when alarm companies are offering deals which at first glance seem too good to be true.

An increase in complaints have been received by police in regard to firms operating across Lancashire offering alarm systems for nominal amounts, but that involve tying the consumer into an expensive maintenance and monitoring agreement.

The firms are making initial contact by telephone, often claiming to be linked with Crime Prevention officers in the area, offering free burglar alarms for as low as £1.

When the company representative then goes round to the house, hard selling tactics are used to attempt to get the householder to sign up to a maintenance contract costing several thousand pounds.

Carol Hendey, Crime Prevention officer for Lancashire Constabulary, advises, "If you let the representatives into your house, they may try to persuade you of the benefits of their burglar alarm systems. They may also tell you that they are working with the police or other crime prevention agencies - This is not true".

"The representatives will often use intimidation and bullying tactics and have been known to spend several hours at someone's house until the maintenance contract has been signed.

"Police advice is never to purchase from anyone cold calling on the telephone or from anyone who calls at your home unannounced. If you receive a call like this, you are advised to make a note of the telephone number of the caller, tell them that you are not interested in their product and that you will be informing the police of their call."

Head of Trading Standards Paul Noone said "Cold calling alarm salesmen are a problem in Lancashire as they are in other parts of the country. This has resulted in dozens of consumers in Lancashire thinking they are signing up to a bargain, and getting an unwanted multi-thousand pound maintenance contract instead.

"Our advice is to say no to absolutely anyone who cold calls. If you want an alarm your first port of call should be a recommended local trader, or a trader listed on the Safe Trader website www.safetrader.org.uk. Trading Standards will come out and help vulnerable consumers, so if you are being pressurised in your home or feel you are being overcharged by a cold caller please contact us and we will try our best to assist you."

Anyone with any concerns should contact police on 08451 25 35 or their local Trading Standards department 08454 040506.

If you would like advice and information on security and crime prevention please contact your local crime prevention officer, you can find your local crime prevention officer by visiting www.lancashire.police.uk. They will provide free, independent advice on ensuring that your home is safe and secure.