Carers in Touch . News from the Groups
Trading Standards visit the Carers ’ Groups
Since January , Elizabeth Bowring & Lee Ede - officers from East Sussex Trading Standards - have been visiting carers ’ groups across East Sussex to highlight the work their service carries out . In particular , they spoke to carers about cold calling and scam mail .
Key areas of work for Trading Standards include animal health , food , under age sales , counterfeit goods , consumer advice , doorstep crime and protecting victims of predatory marketing .
Cold Calling Trading Standards is keen to disrupt traders that cold call on residents across the County and offer to do work or sell goods . This can include traders offering driveways , fascias , soffits , roofing & gardening work , as well as goods for sale such as carpets , flat screen TVs and power tools .
It ’ s important to report instances of cold calling as these traders could be linked to distraction burglary and other doorstep crime .
Two officers are ‘ on call ’ to respond to reports of such doorstep crime and can intervene if the trader is still on site or is nearby , or if there is an urgent need to secure evidence or if the trader is expected to return later .
No Cold Calling Zones In areas where a lot of residents may be vulnerable to rogue traders and high pressure sales techniques , No Cold Calling Zones have been set up . These are managed by the residents within the zones and the aim is to empower communities to say no to cold calling . Signs are erected at key points along the boundary of each zone and residents are encouraged send traders on their way and to report instances of cold calling .
Scam Mail Together with their colleagues both Elizabeth and Lee support victims of scam mail as part of their work .
Every year around 3.2 million people fall victim to mass marketing scams such as bogus lotteries , deceptive prize draws , fake psychics , get-rich-quick schemes and miracle health cures . Lots of these scams are sent through the post and target the elderly and vulnerable .
According to research carried out for the Office of Fair Trading victims of scams in the UK are estimated to lose £ 3.5 million every year .
Scams not only cause financial damage to victims but can also be harmful to their health because of the stress caused by losing money ; often relationships with family members are severely affected . It is very difficult to get to the people who matter and break the cycle of responding to scams so it is vital that help and support is offered as soon as possible .
They also want to know about cases of financial abuse of any kind to a vulnerable adult . Not only scams but also civil contracts for example double glazing or mobile phones . These are often entered into while the person is under pressure or when they don ’ t have contractual capacity . Where possible Trading Standards would intervene and assist the vulnerable person together with their family & friends .
Call Citizens Advice Consumer Centre on 08454 04 05 06
Email trading . standards @ eastsussex . gov . uk
Write to East Sussex County Council Trading Standards , St Mary ’ s House , 52 St Leonards Road , Eastbourne , East Sussex , BN21 3UU
For urgent calls to report rogue trading 01323 463430
12 Care for the Carers