24/2/2010

Torfaen Trading Standards team is warning residents about cold callers in the Cwmbran/Pontypool area offering 'free' burglar alarms.

Residents are pressured into agreeing to have the alarms without realising they are subject to a six-year maintenance and rapid response agreement which costs £6000.

If consumers do sign up they are entitled to cancel the whole contract within seven days. But if they agree to installation immediately they will find it very difficult to cancel later and obtain a refund.

If you are concerned, you should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 for initial advice. Some consumers have been called who are registered with the Telephone Preference Service. In this instance they should contact the Information Commissioners (ICO) to register a complaint about cold calling. Anyone who wishes to avoid cold calls can register with the TPS on 08457 0700707.

Cllr Gwyneira Clark, executive member for Planning and Public Protection said: "It's important for residents to be aware of who they're dealing with and what they're signing up to as they could lose a lot of money. If you would like to speak to someone from our Trading Standards team, you can call 01633 647624."