Norfolk Trading Standards has launched the 300th No-Cold-Calling Zone (NCCZ) in the county. The zone covers Royalist Drive, Draggon Close, and Musketeer Way in Thorpe St Andrew and takes effect from today.
NCCZs are designated areas where residents have declared that they will not accept traders calling at their homes without an appointment, and act as a deterrent to traders and bogus callers who don’t want to be recognised as working in a particular area.
The zones are particularly useful and effective in areas where residents might be at a higher risk from cold calling, due to their age or vulnerability, and creating a NCCZ is an effective way of helping to protect them
Norfolk Trading Standards follows up all reports of cold calling in an NCCZ, which may involve finding out why a trader has ignored the zone but may include more formal action.
While there is no law preventing cold calling, consumers have 14 days to cancel contracts signed at your home or place of work which have a value of more than £42. Traders who don’t issue a cancellation notice allowing the 14-day cooling off period are breaking the law and Trading Standards may be able to take enforcement action.
If you need advice about your rights as a consumer you can contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133, more information about No-Cold-Calling zones can be found at www.norfolk.gov.uk/nocoldcallingzones and more information about Norfolk’s Trusted Trader scheme, which helps residents find trusted local tradespeople, is available at www.norfolk.gov.uk/trustedtrader.
(Source: NCC)
