Scams and cold calling rise as lockdown restrictions ease
Nicola Sturgeon has never mentioned cold callers in her Thursday briefings on easing lockdown restrictions but Inverclyde Council’s Trading Standards team are warning that they are out and about in increasing numbers, particularly in Greenock and Gourock.
One local resident had a lucky escape when a Good Samaritan stepped in to help when two workmen arrived unannounced and refused to take, ‘No,’ for an answer.
Colette (name changed) said, “A young chap came to the door and said there was something wrong with my skylight and it needed attention. He took a look and said it was in a bad state and asked if he could give me an estimate to fix it. I said, ’No’.
“An older chap joined him and he was extremely insistent. He showed me a bit of rotten wood which he said was from the skylight but it was nothing of the sort. I recognised it from the wood pile at the side of the house.
“He claimed they had cleaned the gutters at the house six years before. If it was them they did a terrible job!
“I told them to go away and that I didn’t want anything done. I should have just closed the door but it is bred into you to be polite. They just would not leave. They were very insistent that they should start work straight away.
“I was starting to get quite angry and to raise my voice. A passing dog walker came to my rescue. She came over and asked if I needed any help. I was so glad. It was only then that the two men left.
“They were very, very persistent. I had a very difficult time getting rid of them. The older chap was a big man. He didn’t use any violence but I certainly felt he could have. I wouldn’t have given them any money but I can see how people would just to get them to go away.
“It wasn’t a pleasant experience.”
The two men left in a grey Transit van.
Councillor Michael McCormick, Convener of Inverclyde Council’s Environment & Regeneration Committee, said, “This is a classic case of cold calling by bogus workers. Colette saw through them right away but was faced with a difficult job to get them to leave her property. I would like to thank the public spirited lady who stepped in to offer her assistance. This case might have turned out differently if she hadn’t intervened.
“Cold calling has been steadily increasing since the lockdown restrictions were lifted. The advice from our Trading Standards team is never buy anything from a cold caller – in person, by phone, by text or by email. Watch out for high pressure sales tactics and threats. There is always a time element with scams to put pressure on potential victims and stop them having time to think.
“If you need to have work done check out the council’s list of Trusted Traders. They’re vetted and you can read reviews from satisfied customers.”