POLICE and trading standards officers are investigating scores of complaints from across Dorset about the activities of a damp-proofing company.

The probe comes after it was revealed an 85-year-old Ferndown man handed over £3,500 to the company for work on his bungalow which, it is claimed, should have cost much less.

Dorset trading standards chiefs confirmed they were investigating London-based Complete Dampproofing Services and have warned people to be on their guard.

But the company has denied it has done anything illegal.

The news comes shortly after the Daily Echo launched its Don't Knock It campaign to outlaw cold-calling.

In the latest alert, residents - many of whom are elderly - are being telephoned by the company requesting they have a damp survey carried out in their homes.

On arrival, a company representative places a moisture meter into the wall of their home and persuades owners it is full of damp and needs work.

Divisional trading standards manager with Dorset County Council, Ivan Hancock, said: "We are very concerned at the number of complaints and inquiries we have received in the last few days regarding Complete Dampproofing Services. We will be investigating whether they are doing anything illegal, in particular whether they are giving consumers the required cancellation rights."

PC Mark Harper, crime prevention officer with Dorset Police added: "Dorset Police and Trading Standards have received several complaints in relation to Complete Dampproofing Services who are allegedly contacting local residents about damp proofing.

"Complaints include the householder being told that the local council will pay their bill, harassment by receiving repeated telephone calls when told not to call round and work carried out without the statutory seven-day cooling off period," he said.

The Echo spoke to a Mr Bailey at Complete Dampproofing Services who denied breaching the rules over a "cooling off" period.

If the company was doing anything wrong the police or trading standards would have approached it, he said. He declined to comment further.

PC Harper added: "Householders are urged to exercise caution when any person cold calls either by telephone or at the door."

GUIDELINES

TRADING Standards chiefs have issued the following general warning to householders for dealing with cold-callers...

Use contacts you already have or get in touch with companies recommended by friends, family or colleagues.

Make sure you know where the people who you're dealing with are based, whether through written details on a receipt or by seeing their office premises.

If you're not able to identify an address, be suspicious.

If you don't want the work done tell them politely "no" and ask them to go away. If they won't leave call the police.

If you're concerned about certain trading practices or high pressure selling call Trading Standards.

For a copy of a leaflet containing general advice on dealing with cold-callers contact Dorset County Council Trading Standards on 01305 224012.

COMPLAINTS

Care worker Sue Smith, who looks after the Ferndown pensioner, said he was absolutely "devastated" by what had happened.

"As soon as he agreed to it over the phone, they were round here like a shot," she said.

A 79-year-old widow from Bournemouth, who did not wish to be named, handed over £2,000 after the firm carried out work on her home which they claimed was damp.

But after intervention by her concerned family, she managed to stop her cheques.

Suzanne Clare from Christchurch said she received a call from a company salesman who sounded "very plausible".

She added: "He said he wanted to survey my house as there had been complaints about high moisture levels.

"It was when he started talking about giving me a security number for anyone wanting access to my house that I became very suspicious. Then he just swore at me so I hung up."

First published: Sept 21