Business information

'Pain clinic' warning from trading standards

A mobile 'pain clinic' is targeting elderly sheltered housing residents and taking large sums of money during private consultations, Hertfordshire Trading Standards has warned.

The firm visits the housing and demonstrates pain-relief equipment it claims is available free on the NHS.

But the events are a cover to secure private consultations, where the equipment is sold to the vulnerable residents.

Keith Emsall, Executive Member for Community Safety and Culture, said: "This scam plays on people's desire to live in less pain.

"The company is targeting vulnerable people to make money, and misleading them to get a 'foot in the door'. It has no interest in letting people know what they can get free on the NHS - it simply wants to gain a private consultation to sell expensive equipment.

"We would advise anyone who is offered one of these consultations not to buy from the salesperson, but to get a demonstration of the equipment and then shop around.

"Most importantly, people need to check with their doctors whether the equipment would provide them with any real benefits."

Anyone with concerns about a company like this can contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 between 8am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday and between 9am and 1pm Saturday (excluding bank and public holidays) or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.

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