Firm’s chiefs bannedfor ‘coercive’ sales

Five directors of a North Lanarkshire firm which used “unscrupulous” tactics to clinch orders have been prevented from running a business for several years.
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Officers from North Lanarkshire Council’s Scambusters and Trading Standards teams investigated SAS Fire and Security Systems Ltd after complaints from local residents, then worked with the Insolvency Service to build a case against the company.

The company, which moved to Stockport, had earlier failed to adhere to enforcement action taken by Trading Standards on their sales practices.

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Ludovic Black, David Diaz, John Davies, Roger Waring and Gary McVey were disqualified from being the director of any business for nine, nine, twelve, three and a half and six years respectively.

The Insolvency Service’s investigation found that the company used coercive sales techniques including cold calling, where inaccurate statements and false claims were made.

Once a sale was made, the company did not provide consumers with details of their statutory cancellation rights.

This investigation followed the winding up of SAS Fire and Security Systems Ltd on public interest grounds.

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“Many of SAS’s customers were elderly or vulnerable people, who were taken in by the company’s unscrupulous tactics,” said Councillor Helen McKenna, who is convener of the environmental services committee.

“As a result of the work of our Trading Standards service and the Insolvency Service, the men behind this company will be unable to run another business for a number of years.

“However, there are other businesses using similar sales techniques and our strong advice to consumers is don’t buy anything from companies who come to your door or phone unsolicited.

“If you are concerned about companies who do this, please contact Trading Standards and help us take action against these bogus callers.”