Ashingdon & Canewdon

Update

BEWARE OF UNSCRUPULOUS BURGLAR ALARM COMPANIES OPERATING IN THIS AREA !

There are some extremely good burglar alarm installers out there who provide a professional service at a reasonable price. However, there are also some unscrupulous companies who pray on people’s fear of crime to sell their products at extortionate prices. These companies usually use telephone ‘cold calling’ as a way of making contact. They will offer free surveys and even free alarms but, those taking up their offer, always end up with a very large and unwarranted bill. In order to further their credibility reports suggest that they will say that they are crime reduction officers from Essex Police or allege that they are in some way working with the Police or the Home Office.

Of course, when this is put to them they deny all knowledge of using these tactics. The problem is, when these incidents are investigated, it is their word against the customer’s. Any prosecution against them fails because there is no evidence.

We am aware that many people now have ansafones with a speech record facility on them so that you can record a conversation even if you answer your phone.

What we would like you to do in an attempt to thwart these companies is………..if you receive and answer this type of call and you have the record facility I have mentioned, press your record button and keep the caller speaking about their product for as long as you can. Then, of course, refuse any offer they make. Legitimate companies won’t mind this because they have nothing to hide but you may be able to record false claims from unscrupulous companies that could be used in evidence against them. Then let us know so that we can listen to the conversation.

These unscrupulous companies are tricking elderly and vulnerable Essex residents out of thousands of pounds every year. We must do all we can to stop them and we can do that with your help.