Office of Fair Trading Uncovers Mobility Product Scams
Vulnerable elderly and disabled people could be subject to doorstep-selling mobility aid scams, according to a survey conducted by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), as reported by the BBC.
The OFT Watchdog claims to have received thousands of complaints from elderly and infirm people who have been victims of unscrupulous traders peddling their mobility aids on the doorstep.
The lure of “discounted” mobility aids, such as stairlifts, adjustable beds and mobility scooters, that could make an elderly person’s life easier has made the elderly and disabled prime victims for such a scam.
Evidence suggests that some elderly people have paid up to 50% more than high street prices to these doorstep traders. Credit options to purchase mobility equipment has tempted some to go ahead to purchase mobility equipment that on what seems like an affordable monthly option, not realizing that they are paying way over the odds for their new stair lift or mobility scooter.
The mobility market is big bucks, and the sharks are feeding! This is not to say that all mobility traders are rogue, not at all, there are plenty of reputable, caring mobility companies…..the message is that you should be very careful who you are dealing with.
The OFT are trying to combat these unfair practices that are emerging in the mobility market by removing credit licences and encouraging trading standards to prosecute.
There is no law preventing traders knocking on doors, but the questionable practices of some traders, such as pretending to be from Social Services and refusing to leave until paperwork is signed, is a cause for concern.
Many reputable mobility manufacturers and suppliers do in fact require a home consultation in order to assess your home’s suitability for the desired mobility equipment. It is part of their professional service to ensure they correctly assess your needs, and your home, to provide you with the right equipment.
Tips:
• Make sure you know who you are dealing with.
• Check the company out – ask someone to verify their credentials.
• Use the Internet to research.
• Ensure you are dealing with an established, reputable local dealer.
• Beware of credit financing deals – ensure you know what credit interest (APR) you are paying.
• Try and have a family member or friend with you during a home consultation.
Aberdeen, Aldershot, Ashford, Aylesbury, Bangor, Barnsley, Barry, Basildon, Basingstoke, Bath, Batley, Bebington, Bedford, Beeston, Belfast, Benfleet, Birkenhead, Birmingham, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bletchley, Bognor Regis, Bolton, Bootle, Bournemouth, Bracknell, Bradford, Brentwood, Brighton, Bristol, Burnley, Bury, Cambridge, Cannock, Cardiff, Carlisle, Castlereagh, Chatham, Cheadle, Chelmsford, Cheltenham, Cheshunt, Chester, Chesterfield, Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester, Corby, Coventry, Craigavon, Crawley, Crewe, Crosby, Cumbernauld, Darlington, Dartford, Derby, Dewsbury, Doncaster, Dudley, Dundee, Dunstable, Eastbourne, East Kilbride, Eastleigh, Edinburgh, Ellesmere Port, Epsom, Esher, Exeter, Fareham, Farnborough, Gainsborough, Gateshead, Gillingham, Glasgow, Gloucester, Gosport, Gravesend, Grays, Greasby, Great Yarmouth, Grimsby, Guildford, Halesowen, Halifax, Harlow, Harrogate, Hartlepool, Hastings, Hemel Hempstead, Hereford, High Wycombe, Horsham, Hove, Huddersfield, Huyton-with-Roby, Ipswich, Keighley, Kettering, Kidderminster, Kingston upon Hull, Kingswood, Leeds, Leicester, Leamington Spa, Lincoln, Lisburn, Littlehampton, Liverpool, Livingston, London, Londonderry, Loughborough, Lowestoft, Luton, Macclesfield, Maidenhead, Maidstone, Manchester, Mansfield, Margate, Middlesbrough, Morecambe, Morley, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Newcastle upon Tyne, Newport, Newtonabbey, Northampton, Norwich, Nottingham, Nuneaton, Oldbury, Oldham, Oxford, Paisley, Peterborough, Plymouth, Poole, Portsmouth, Preston, Rawtenstall, Reading, Redditch, Reigate, Rhondda, Rochdale, Rotherham, Rugby, Runcorn, Sale, Salford, Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Shrewsbury, Slough, Solihull, Southampton, Southend-on-Sea, Southport, South Shields, St. Helens, Stafford, Staines, St. Albans, Stevenage, Stockport, Stockton-on-Tees, Stoke-on-Trent, Stourbridge, Sunderland, Sutton Coldfield, Swansea, Swindon, Tamworth, Taunton, Torquay, Tunbridge Wells, Wakefield, Wallasey, Walsall, Walton and Weybridge, Warrington, Washington, Waterlooville, Watford, West Bromwich, Weston-super-Mare, Widnes, Wigan, Woking, Wolverhampton, Wolverton, Worcester, Worthing, Wrexham, York
