Rise in Hartlepool cold callers offering driveway, double glazing and solar panel work

The warning has been issued following an increased number of reports over the past week of traders cold-calling residents in Hartlepool and offering services such as driveway work and installation of measures such as double glazing and solar panels to improve the home’s energy efficiency.

It was reported on one occasion that the caller falsely claimed to be working in conjunction with the council.

But the council says work carried out by traders who cold call is “often unnecessary, overpriced and unfit for its purpose”.

Previous cases have found that sometimes a resident may sign up to have energy efficiency measures installed, such as solar panels, but find that they do not save much money and are bound by the contract for over 20 years.

Trading standards and licensing manager Rachael Readman said “Our advice is, as always, never deal with cold callers. Simply ask them to leave and not to return. Never feel pressured into agreeing to get work done.

“If you need work doing on your home always ask your family and friends for recommendations first and always try to obtain at least three quotes from reputable traders. Never accept a trader’s quote on their first visit and always give yourself enough time to think through the offer thoroughly.”

A number of streets across the borough are already officially designated as no cold calling zones.

The existence of a zone is advertised by signs at the entrance to a street and others on lampposts.

Once a zone has been created, it prohibits cold calling in that area and legal action can be taken against those who continue to do it.

Alternatively, residents can make their houses “no cold calling homes” by displaying a “no cold calling” sticker in their window.

The stickers work in the same way by asking would-be cold callers to leave and not return.

For more information on how to make your street a no cold calling zone or to obtain a free window sticker contact Hartlepool’s trading standards department on (01429) 523362.

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