Warning over will writing cold calls
Monday 5 September 2011
Trading standards officers in Coventry are warning people to be wary of cold callers selling will writing services.
Over the last two weeks the Coventry City Council team has received reports from a number of people about the issue. In one case it led to an elderly person parting with £2,000 to a company using door-to-door salespeople.
A pattern has emerged which sees a cold call over the telephone claiming they can prevent local authorities selling your home should you need care in later life.
Information they give may be inaccurate which may frighten people into thinking that all their assets will have to be spent on their care and they then claim to offer free advice on how this can be avoided.
Councillor George Duggins, Deputy Leader of Coventry City Council, is concerned older people are particularly at risk.
He said: "Coventry trading standards has received six complaints in less than two weeks about such firms and the concern is that what is being offered may not provide the protection claimed.
"The reason for this is because there is a risk that this would be seen as a deliberate attempt at 'deprivation of capital'. This is where an individual transfers an asset out of their possession so as to avoid future care charges."
The cold calling company offer other services such as cut price wills, storage of wills, lasting power of attorney and property trusts but the costs of the services can quickly spiral into hundreds of pounds. There is often a request that this is paid there and then.
Coventry trading standards team also had similar reports from colleagues in other areas where cold callers have also taken away hard to replace original documents such as birth certificates and not returned them.
Consumers are reminded that they have rights when buying from salespeople calling at their homes and have a seven-day cooling off period for any agreements made.
Cllr Duggins added: "Legitimate businesses should have paperwork that identifies them which also gives details of the cooling off period.
"If you are in any doubt, do not agree to any offers and do not hand over any money there and then".
Will writing firms are not regulated by the Law Society so there are few safeguards if things go wrong but some people may have access to free legal advice regarding wills through their insurance company, trade union or other organisation.
If you think you might have been conned in this way or need advice, contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.
