Homeowners in Dundee and Angus have contacted The Courier concerned about home security sales calls that could tie people into maintenance contracts as well as encouraging them to reveal details about the security of their home.
The company involved, reported to trading standards in Dundee, later defended its tactics.
A Barns of Claverhouse resident said the firm that phoned him called itself the National Crime Research Group.
He said, “They claimed to be doing research on behalf of another company as to crime in the area. He started to ask me questions about the house and what security I had installed, then explained he was offering a free alarm system.
“I was increasingly suspicious that it was a sales call and asked him if his company checked the Telephone Preference Service (TPS), with whom I am registered. He said they did, so I asked how often, to which he replied, after some hesitation, ‘every year or so’.”
Under the service, people can opt not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing calls.
He said, “I explained that I had been registered with the TPS for at least three years and he then said that if I changed provider I would have to re-register with the TPS, which is untrue, and I told him this.
“He then apologised and said he would remove my phone number from their list.”
A Brechin pensioner also raised concerns after a call from the same group offering a free alarm but adding there would be a one-off fee to cover the cost of the monitoring system.
When she asked how much, she was told that would depend on several factors, including an assessment of her home.
She told The Courier, “That immediately raised my suspicions. The woman who called told me she couldn’t even give me an idea of the price because she wasn’t allowed to do that over the phone.
“I said I would talk it over with my husband and call them back but we haven’t taken it any further. What’s the difference between paying for the alarm or being charged a monitoring fee?”
Steven Wilson, commercial director of SAS (Safe and Sound) Fire and Security Systems, said the company took pride in its active approach, and homeowners would find its pricing very reasonable compared to other firms.
He also denied the firm was deliberately targeting older people.
He said calls made on its behalf by the group made it clear to homeowners that although they were being offered a free alarm, there would be a monitoring fee. The fee would depend on how long they wanted to subscribe, a term of one to 15 years.
He said, “We are happy our charges are competitive in this market.”
Started two years ago, he said the company was now the largest domestic security systems supplier in the UK, with a turnover of £20 million and more than 700 employees.
He said, “We get our leads from various sources. The calls made on our behalf alert homeowners to national crime figures obtained from the Scottish Office.
“I think the reason the business is successful is because we alert people to the dangers before they suffer a break-in. Most people wait until after they have suffered a break-in or other damage before they take action.
“We point out a burglary happens every few seconds of every day and there are fires in homes almost every day. People can be fearful when they hear that but we try to be sensitive in offering prevention.”
He denied older people were being targeted.
He said, “Younger people seem to be more carefree and don’t seem to be so interested in the security of their property, but I can categorically say we don’t target older people. We are merely calling homeowners in certain postcode areas.”