10:00am Saturday 17th November 2012

Beware of Cold Callers

An elderly dementia sufferer from Esher was hailed in National Consumer Week, after a refund of more than £7,000 from traders who sold her a ‘free’ burglar alarm.

Nesta Hollis, 77, was recovering from two strokes when she was approached by cold-callers at her door, selling what turned out to be a 15-year servicing and monitoring contract costing thousands.

Her son complained to Consumer Direct, after which the case was taken up by Surrey County Council trading standards, who told the firm that as a sufferer of dementia, Mrs Hollis’s decision on this large financial matter was invalid. She was fully refunded.

Kay Hammond, Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “Mrs Hollis was a vulnerable person attracted by a free offer which ended up costing her thousands of pounds.

“Thankfully we were able to get her money back. Others may not be as lucky.”

People are being urged to use Stop Cold Calling stickers to help protect against doorstep crime.

People looking for a reliable trader can use the Buy with Confidence scheme.

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/

Visit buywithconfidence.gov.uk for more information.