Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has raised a motion in the Scottish Parliament and will push for a member’s debate to discuss the issue of cold calling for property maintenance and repairs.

Commenting on this, Dave said: “I welcome the campaign from the Trading Standards Institute Scotland (TSI Scotland). Cold calling is an aggressive marketing tactic that often targets the most vulnerable in our communities.

TSI Scotland has launched a campaign to introduce new legislation to outlaw cold calling. They highlight the links between cold calling activity and organised crime, and brand the practice; “one of the most disturbing and socially significant issues”.

Malcolm Craig, Vice Chair of the Scottish Branch of the Trading Standards Institute, said: “One of the most disturbing and socially significant issues we as Trading Standards Officers face is how to deter, disrupt and detect doorstep crime; in particular, the targeting of vulnerable individuals by cold calling.  This activity can be part of the modus operandi of serious and organised crime networks, and the current enforcement regime is not adequate.

“No legitimate business engaging in property maintenance and repairs, or home improvements, needs to cold call on householders.  If a trader provides a quality service, house holders will seek them out to obtain a quotation.

"The campaign has attracted the backing of Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), Neighbourhood Watch and the Scottish Business Crime Centre amongst others."

Commenting on this, CAS said: “Citizens Advice Scotland want to see an end to people feeling pressurised by doorstep calling. We are therefore backing the TSI Scotland campaign to introduce legislation which would prohibit cold calling for the purposes of property maintenance and repairs. We hope such a measure will reduce doorstep crime and protect consumers in their own homes especially the elderly and most vulnerable in our society"

Dave added: “I hope that I can secure a members debate on the cold calling for the purposes of maintenance and repairs. This is a worrying practice across our country that is presently very poorly regulated.

"There is much evidence of vulnerable people being targeted, with work being carried out very soon after the trader has approached the property, allowing very little time for reconsideration.

"There are worrying reports of elderly people being escorted to banks to hand over substantial amounts of cash, a situation that is totally unacceptable and would not be allowed in any other commercial transaction.

"It is vital that this issue be properly explored and given attention through a debate, as I believe there is a strong case to take action and protect people from what can amount to extortion."

Notes:

Date of Lodging: 23 September 2012

Short Title: Prohibit Cold Calling for Property Maintenance and Repairs

S4M-04287 Dave Thompson (Scottish National Party): That the Parliament welcomes the campaign by the Scottish branch of the Trading Standards Institute (TSI), which seeks to introduce legislation that would prohibit cold calling for the purposes of property maintenance and repairs on the grounds of community safety; notes that TSI Scotland has stated that cold calling is “one of the most disturbing and socially significant issues” faced by trading standards officers; condemns rogue cold calling, which often targets vulnerable citizens and notes that such activity can be part of serious and organised crime networks; welcomes backing for this campaign from Citizens Advice Scotland, Neighbourhood Watch, the Scottish Business Crime Centre and others, and urges the Scottish Government to meet TSI Scotland to discuss its campaign.