Cold Callers have been
operating in villages in the South Lakes area this week. Two males in their
20's with North east accents say they are from First Step Forward in
Middlesborough. They have some form of ID but this is not to be trusted. No
offences have been committed by the males but they do not have SLDC permits to
trade in our area. If these males are seen in your area please contact police
on 101.
Trading Standards would like to reiterate the previous advice given on the community messaging board and warn residents to be wary of uninvited doorstep salesmen selling poor quality or mis-described fish. Reports have been received of such traders operating in the Holme area on 16 April 2014 but they have been known to operate all over the county.
The fish is normally contained in polystyrene trays and has been transported from the North East of England in an unrefrigerated van. It is often completely unlabelled and may be nearing the end of its shelf life.
The sellers normally want cash payment or a cheque with the payee section left blank which they say will be stamped later. It seems that the elderly can be particularly targeted and persuaded to buy more fish than they actually need. As some of the fish has been previously frozen it would then have to be stored in a refrigerator and consumed within a few days.
Our advice is simple. Don't let uninvited door step sellers of any kind into your home. For all your goods and services it is better to deal with reputable traders operating out of fixed premises who you know and trust.
If you see anyone appearing to sell goods and services door to door in your area please report the matter to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice helpline on 08454 04 05 06.
Trading Standards would like to reiterate the previous advice given on the community messaging board and warn residents to be wary of uninvited doorstep salesmen selling poor quality or mis-described fish. Reports have been received of such traders operating in the Holme area on 16 April 2014 but they have been known to operate all over the county.
The fish is normally contained in polystyrene trays and has been transported from the North East of England in an unrefrigerated van. It is often completely unlabelled and may be nearing the end of its shelf life.
The sellers normally want cash payment or a cheque with the payee section left blank which they say will be stamped later. It seems that the elderly can be particularly targeted and persuaded to buy more fish than they actually need. As some of the fish has been previously frozen it would then have to be stored in a refrigerator and consumed within a few days.
Our advice is simple. Don't let uninvited door step sellers of any kind into your home. For all your goods and services it is better to deal with reputable traders operating out of fixed premises who you know and trust.
If you see anyone appearing to sell goods and services door to door in your area please report the matter to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice helpline on 08454 04 05 06.