No Hiding Place For Rogue Security Firms
New laws banning unfair sales practices will force
unscrupulous security firms selling intruder alarms and CCTV
systems to home owners to clean up their act.
The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading
Regulations 2008 came into effect on 26 May 2008
and will affect all businesses that deal directly with consumers,
banning 31 unfair trading practices.
Aggressive sales tactics employed by unscrupulous security
companies, such as refusing a person’s request to leave their home,
or providing deceptive information, such as false claims about high
local crime rates, are now prohibited.
The new legislation is especially welcome for elderly and
vulnerable people who are often targeted by representatives from
unregulated companies more interested in protecting their own bank
balances, than providing effective home security for their
customers.
While welcoming the ban on unfair sales practices, NSI is urging
homeowners considering buying an electronic security system, such
as an intruder alarm, to always use a professional company with
approval from an independent inspection body, such as NSI.
Companies with NSI approval meet the requirements of the Police
and insurers and are subject to a rigorous six-monthly inspection
process to ensure they continuously meet the highest
standards. NSI offers a complaints service if customers of
NSI approved companies have an unresolved issue of a technical
nature.
2 June 2008