Cold-callers in household appliance scam

COLD-CALLERS are pressuring the vulnerable into paying thousands of pounds for bogus insurance cover.

Victims are coerced into signing monthly direct debits of around £10 or £20 to cover household appliances such boilers and washing machines. Consumer body Which? polled 1,300 of its members and found almost a quarter had received unexpected calls relating to insurance or extended warranties in the last year. The callers reportedly tell victims their policy is expiring and needs to be renewed.

Some claim to be from well-known companies and many have access to personal information which makes victims believe the calls are genuine.

One 92-year-old grandmother paid £10,000 for two years of cover, including for a dishwasher she did not own.

Gareth Shaw of Which? said: ‘If you or someone you know has been cold-called about appliance cover, ask for the company name and report it to the Information Commissioner’s Office.’