Concern About Cavity Wall Insulation Cold Callers

Carmarthenshire’s Trading Standards team is urging people to think twice before providing their details to cold callers after dealing with a spate of local complaints relating to cavity wall insulation. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The team has spoken to several people concerned about doorstep callers claiming to be able to assist with claims associated with incorrectly installed cavity wall insulation or disrepair. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Householders are being encouraged to sign up for a claim, and provide personal details. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Carmarthenshire County Council tenants are amongst those who have received visits from the cold callers, however the council has confirmed that it is in no way connected with the callers. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Trading Standards team is now re-issuing advice to help protect the public, and is urging anyone with information or concerns to contact them immediately on 03454 04 05 06. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The advice includes: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• If in doubt, keep them out
• Always ask for an identity card and look up the organisation to check the salesperson’s identity is correct
• Don’t get taken in by sales banter and high pressure selling techniques, or sign on the spot for work to be undertaken
• Think very carefully before you agree to a trader starting any work straight away – talk to someone you trust for a second opinion
• Always shop around for the best price
• Read the small print and double check the facts
• Avoid handing over any money before work is started
• Trust your instincts – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
• It is okay to say no. Remember, it’s your doorstep and your decision. If you feel pressured for any reason, ask the person to leave
• Finally – report any suspicious activity

Carmarthenshire Trading Standards and Dyfed Powys Police work together to protect people from cold callers, particularly on schemes such as the No Cold Calling Zones. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Last year, a joint ‘One Step Ahead’ campaign was launched to encourage people to gain a better understanding of the tricks rogue traders use to try and con innocent people out of money. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Robin Staines, Head of Housing and Public Protection, said: “Working together with police allows us to share knowledge and intelligence. We are also sharing our resources to spread the word about rogue traders, dodgy salespeople and doorstep lenders, so our message to any unscrupulous people who may be thinking of cold-calling on people is that we are one step ahead of you.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​