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News

Businesses Urged to Hang Up on Cold Call Scams

Small businesses are being urged by the Borough of Poole’s Environmental and Consumer Protection Services to hang up on cold callers selling advertising in publications, often on the basis that they claim to support the emergency services or charities.

Every year trading standards services across the country receive hundreds of complaints from businesses about the sales tactics of some telesales companies. Some claim that businesses have already agreed to buy advertising space and demand payment when no such agreement exists.

Shaun Robson, Head of Environmental and Consumer Protection, Borough of Poole, said: "We’ve dealt with examples where companies in Poole have been subjected to months of threatening letters and phone calls for non-payment of bills they didn’t agree to pay in the first place."

Legitimate companies do exist but to reduce the risks of falling for cold call scams the Council would advise companies:

• Not to take unsolicited calls when you are busy and can’t give the salesman your full attention – if you want to talk, ask them to call back at a convenient time. \n

• Not to agree to something on the phone just to get rid of a persistent caller – legally binding agreements can be made over the phone. \n

• To be wary of unsolicited callers suggesting or implying that you are placing an order or entering an agreement when you don’t wish to do so. \n

• To be wary of follow-up calls – you may think they’re just verifying details, but they may be trying to trick you into entering into an agreement. \n

• If you’re not clear about any details, don’t be rushed – ask questions. \n

• Not to be pressurised into paying for services you haven’t agreed to, that haven’t been provided or that don’t match those agreed to. If you are threatened with debt collectors or a credit black-listing, remember that ultimately only a court can decide whether you are liable to pay and disputes with another business will not necessarily affect your credit rating. \n

Cllr Don Collier, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the Environment, Borough of Poole, said: "As a small-businessman I know that small businesses are particularly vulnerable to this type of unfair business practice, particularly where the caller implies there is an element of charity involved. We would advise all businesses in Poole to be wary. Don’t be pressured or tricked into agreeing to advertising you don’t want or into paying for something you haven’t genuinely requested."

Andy Shimmen, Trading Standards Officer, Environmental and Consumer Protection Services, Borough of Poole, tel 01202 261773