Don't let telephone cold callers leave you hot under the collar
The tactics used by some telephone cold callers can sometimes leave you bewildered or pressured into buying things you neither want or need, but there are ways to get the upper hand, advises consumer direct
Last year, the government advice service received nearly 1,500 complaints in the East of England about unsolicited telephone sales calls, with a total of 15,000 nationally. The highest number concerned mobile phone contract sales, but the service also received complaints about timeshare, insurance, double glazing and home improvement sellers.
Melanie Thornton of Consumer Direct East of England said: “Cold calling isn't against the law, but callers can sometimes ring at the most inconvenient times and if you're caught out you can agree to things you later regret. The good news is that you often have cancellation rights so it's worth checking where you stand.”
Consumer Direct East of England has put together the following list of tips for dealing with telephone sales calls:
• If you want to reduce the number of cold calls that you receive, consider registering with the Telephone preference service by calling 0845 070 0707 or visiting the website at
• Be wary of agreeing to contracts over the phone. If you are interested in the offer, ask for details to be sent to you so you can consider them in your own time.
• If you don't know who you're dealing with, never divulge any financial or personal details.
• If you do agree to a contract, make sure you keep a record of who you are dealing with and how to get hold of them. Ask for a name, phone number, address and written confirmation.
• If you agree to a contract you later regret, you will generally have seven days after you receive written confirmation to cancel. If you don't receive this confirmation in writing, you may have up to three months.
For further information on your rights call East of England on 08454 04 05 06.
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