'No cold-calling' zones
Published on 24 February 2011 10:30 AM
The Anglesey town of Benllech has introduced a ‘no-cold-calling' zone - the latest scheme of its kind to be put in place in Wales.
It follows the introduction of a 'no cold-calling' zone earlier this month in Carmarthenshire.
Age Cymru's Elder Abuse Programme Manager Louise Hughes says:
"No-cold-calling' zones are a popular idea that we're seeing spreading across Wales.
"They put the power into the hands of local residents and anecdotal evidence suggests that they do help to promote a sense of empowerment.
"Cold-calling can be a major problem and there have been several cases of cold-callers conning older people out of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
"This is why it is so important that measures can be put in place to protect older people and ‘no-cold-caller' zones are just one of the ways that this can be done."
Louise Hughes concludes:
"If there's an unexpected knock at your door, it is always important to remember that you don't have to let anyone into your home - the old adage 'if in doubt, keep them out' is an easy way to remember this.
"Keep a list of key contact numbers near your phone so you can check out legitimate callers - contact a local relative or nominated neighbour to help verify a cold caller.
"Ask all other unwanted callers to go away and if you think someone is a rogue trader call 101, or to report a distraction burglar or rogue trader who has taken your money and is still in the area call 999."