Mobility Companies Misleading the Vulnerable
Warnings are being issued by Warwickshire Trading Standards Service that some mobility aid companies are targeting elderly consumers, giving the impression they are linked to Social Services.
Warwickshire Trading Standards Service has received 19 complaints since the end of February.
Callers give the impression ‘the consumer has been put forward for assessment’. As a result consumers are more likely to accept an appointment, expecting to see a representative from Social Services, or Occupational Therapy.
Unfortunately, a sales representative from a mobility company turns up and attempts to sell an expensive and often unnecessary mobility item or appliance.
Warwickshire Trading Standards Service would ask anyone who has contact with an elderly or vulnerable person, to talk to them regarding this current issue and advise them to consider not accepting appointments from cold calls.
If they have signed any contracts or taken delivery of any items that they are unsure of, they can contact Consumer Direct and Trading Standards may be able to assist them in obtaining a full refund
Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection “We would strongly urge residents not to agree to any visits or appointments from these companies. Warwickshire County Council staff will always show their authorised identity pass and will be quite happy to have their identity verified.
Trading Standards Officers would urge local residents who have any concerns over recent telephone calls to contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 for advice.
Advice On Dealing With Unwanted Telephone Calls:
Don’t provide any personal or financial information to callers you don’t know and trust.
Challenge caller’s claims – ask for their name and their company name and if you wish to speak to them, phone them back via a publicly listed telephone number.
If you don’t wish to speak to them, put the phone down.
To reduce the number of unwanted telephone sales calls you receive register with the Telephone Preference Service on 0845 070 0707.
If the caller is persistent, seek advice from your phone provider (e.g BT).
If you are receiving abusive, threatening or obscene calls, malicious or otherwise distressing to you, then report them to the police.
Warwickshire Trading Standards and Coventry Trading Standards are now co-operating to investigate the allegations and take appropriate action.