Vulnerable residents have been caught out paying doorstep sellers up to £200 for practically worthless dusters and cleaning products.
North Yorkshire trading standards say the number of incidents of cold callers selling sub-standard and potentially unsafe cleaning products in the county is growing.
These cold-callers, who frequently introduce themselves as ex-armed forces personnel, or ex-offenders on a community scheme, are often targeting, vulnerable and elderly residents.
“We are very concerned at the growing number of incidents around the county where vulnerable residents are targeted and duped into buying extremely poor quality dusters and other cleaning materials,” said County Councillor Andrew Lee, executive member for trading standards.
“These cold-callers use a range of tactics to generate sympathy and we know of cases where people have paid as much as £200 for products that are practically worthless.”
As a matter of urgency, to stem the growing number of such cases, trading standards officers are appealing to residents to report these incidents of cold-calling to the Citizens Advice Bureau.
If people feel threatened by cold-callers they should notify North Yorkshire Police.
