Dangerous Salesman?

[kirsty b]

What an awful thing to happen. Contact Ofcom too (Ithink they are watchdogs for telecoms) and report them, sending a copy of the letter you send Talk Talk.

How lucky your daughter was on the phone and able to call for help once she realised what was going on. 3 cheers for her

[bluemoon]

I've just spoken to Mum and she seems fine. She's in her 70's, but she's never been the shy retiring type. She's still mobile and she still drives, although she does have a minor heart condition. There are, however, one or two living nearby who aren't so lucky, I'm thinking of one old lady in particular who would probably not have coped quite so well if this had happened to her.

Having spoken to Mum now when she's had time to calm down I've discovered one or two other worrying details. She was on the phone at the time, as I said, but it hadn't occurred to me that this means that she was sitting by a window which is visible from the road. She also says that they did not knock on the door, but banged loudly on this windowpane. I'm not sure I like the sound of this at all as it means that these people were discussing with her the one solid piece of evidence that they had about her - that she had a phone, and that they knew that she was elderly before they approached the house, so it's possible that they were not all they pretended to be. I think I will have to inform the police about this, but at the moment she just wants to forget it.

Thank you all for your help and concern, love Bluemoon.

[valmarg]

bluemoon, another organisation I would contact to report them is the local Trading Standards Office. They can be very effective in stopping this sort of thing.

My stock answer when we get hawkers at the door is 'I'm sorry, but I don't do business on the doorstep.'

valmarg

[quark1]

Sounds like a most unpleasant experiencefor your mum - hope she's OK now.

Salesmen will never like calling on me - if they don't have an appointment - the door is simply not opened - I just look at who it is through the letter box - and give short shrift to the undesirable and unwanted ones! On the odd occasions where my son has been at home and I have opened the door without realising its yet another leccy salesman or similar - I am greeted with lots of bogus info they have been given about me. I never let them know which bits are wrong but have no hesitation in letting them know their bosses must be lying to them!

I know everyone needs to make a living but some engage in tactics which make the vulnerable almost feel obliged buy into. If she doesn't have already - get a strong doorchain - allow no-one in, including opening the door (unless someone else present in the home), without an appointment, ask for a leaflet through the door - some 'say' they are not allowed to (ho ho) - and NEVER sign anything - even if they ask for you to sign to confirm they've been to your address - that's their problem not yours - and are you 'really' signing' what they say you are.

Considering how apparently 'aggressive' they were in knocking - a complaint to the police would not be out of order - if only to get someone to speak to them about the level of unwelcome approach. On the other hand there may already be people out to distraction con/burgle OAPs operating in your mum's area.

Hope she's fine now and wish her well.

[Paul Wagland]

That's terrible! Things like this really make me wish they'd come and knock on my door. Of course they're probably only pushy when they think they can get away with it.

If it was me, I'd write directly to the managing director of Talk Talk and ask what he's prepared to offer in compensation for this harassment, before you take legal advice! I'm guessing the two helpers wouldn't mind being mentioned as potential witnesses.

[seasprout]

This might be a bit late, but does she have a chain on her door...?

If not perhaps fitting one will give her more confidence in shutting unwanted visitors out.

But of course if she is like my gran, then getting her to actually use it might be a bit of a trial.

My best wishes to her.

[annafricangrey]

another useful place for advice and help is Age Concern, the local branch will then be able to alert the authorities on your mothers area and warn them that this has happened, they might still be prowling the area. they could also take up the cudgel on your mothers behalf with the company concerned

glad she is ok, there are some real nasties about arent there

ann