Businesses urged to hang up on cold call scams

Small businesses are being urged by the OFT to hang up on cold callers selling advertising in publications that they claim support the emergency services or charities.

The OFT and trading standards services across the country have received hundreds of complaints from businesses about the sales tactics of some telesales companies, particularly sales staff making false claims about links to the emergency services or charitable organisations. The OFT is also concerned about false claims that businesses have already agreed to buy advertising space and demands for payment when no such agreements have taken place.

Legitimate companies do exist but to reduce the risks of falling for cold call scams the OFT has the following tips:

• don't take unsolicited calls when you are busy and can't give the salesman your full attention – if you want to talk, ask them to call back at a convenient time
• don't agree to something on the phone just to get rid of a persistent caller – legally binding agreements can be made over the phone
• be wary of unsolicited callers suggesting or implying that you are placing an order or entering an agreement when you don't wish to do so
• be wary of follow-up calls – you may think they're just verifying details, but they may be trying to trick you into entering into an agreement
• if you're not clear about any details, don't be rushed – ask questions
• don't be pressurised into paying for services you haven't agreed to, that haven't been provided or that don't match those agreed to: if you are threatened with debt collectors or a credit black-listing, remember that ultimately only a court can decide whether you are liable to pay and disputes with another business will not necessarily affect your credit rating.

Sir John Vickers, OFT Chairman, said:

Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to these types of unfair business practice. We advise all businesses to be wary: don't be pressured or tricked into agreeing to advertising you don't want or into paying for something you haven't requested.'