Carmarthenshire burglar alarm warning
Carmarthenshire Trading Standards are warning householders not to accept a free burglar alarm which then ties the victim to a contract costing thousands of pounds.
The Trading Standards Service is urging consumers to say no to companies offering these free appliances and claiming that they are working with the police or as part of a Government scheme, or that they are researching for a fire and security alarm system company.
The salesman will typically cold call, keen to make a home visit the same day to discuss the installation of a free or cheap alarm.
The companies are reported to use high pressure tactics and to scaremonger about rising crime levels in the area, while some are reported to make misleading claims about the alarms being directly linked to the police or the availability of a hotline to police patrol cars.
What they fail to mention are the fees that residents will have to pay for the monitoring, upkeep and rapid response facilities, which can add up to thousands of pounds.
Some have found themselves tied to a six-year contract agreement costing up to £6,000.
Consumers who sign on the dotted line will have a seven day cooling off period during which they can change their minds – but if the consumer then agrees in writing for installation to take place within this period they are waiving this consumer right.
Consumers should always use a company recommended buy a friend or found in a local approved trader scheme, and where possible ask for three quotes.
The council’s executive board member for housing and public protection Cllr Hugh Evans said: “Carmarthenshire is one of the safest places to live in the UK and consumers should never feel rushed to sign up to anything and should remember that any deal that seems too good to be true, probably is.
”Salesmen trying to sell you something over the phone or on your doorstep could be anyone.
“Talk to family, friends or neighbours if you are unsure or worried, or contact Consumer Direct, who will be able to advise and refer the case to the relevant trading standards department where appropriate.”
Consumer Direct can be contacted by calling 08454 04 05 06, or the Welsh language line on 08454 04 05 05, or through the website www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
The Trading Standards Service is urging consumers to say no to companies offering these free appliances and claiming that they are working with the police or as part of a Government scheme, or that they are researching for a fire and security alarm system company.
The salesman will typically cold call, keen to make a home visit the same day to discuss the installation of a free or cheap alarm.
The companies are reported to use high pressure tactics and to scaremonger about rising crime levels in the area, while some are reported to make misleading claims about the alarms being directly linked to the police or the availability of a hotline to police patrol cars.
What they fail to mention are the fees that residents will have to pay for the monitoring, upkeep and rapid response facilities, which can add up to thousands of pounds.
Some have found themselves tied to a six-year contract agreement costing up to £6,000.
Consumers who sign on the dotted line will have a seven day cooling off period during which they can change their minds – but if the consumer then agrees in writing for installation to take place within this period they are waiving this consumer right.
Consumers should always use a company recommended buy a friend or found in a local approved trader scheme, and where possible ask for three quotes.
The council’s executive board member for housing and public protection Cllr Hugh Evans said: “Carmarthenshire is one of the safest places to live in the UK and consumers should never feel rushed to sign up to anything and should remember that any deal that seems too good to be true, probably is.
”Salesmen trying to sell you something over the phone or on your doorstep could be anyone.
“Talk to family, friends or neighbours if you are unsure or worried, or contact Consumer Direct, who will be able to advise and refer the case to the relevant trading standards department where appropriate.”
Consumer Direct can be contacted by calling 08454 04 05 06, or the Welsh language line on 08454 04 05 05, or through the website www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
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