Speaker 1: The thing that really annoys me is cold calling on the telephone.
Speaker 2: They ring until they get an answer.
It's just, it's just annoying.
Very annoying.
Speaker 3: Everybody tries to sell you something one way or another.
Narrator - Narrator: Karen McCracken was thrilled when she received a call from a withheld number claiming she'd won some money.
Karen McCracken: Yeah speaking.
They phoned up about half past 10 in the morning saying that I'd won this £10,000.
It was quite exciting to be fair, I must admit.
Narrator - Narrator: But to claim it, they asked her for a £50 admin fee.
Karen McCracken: I said that I would have to speak to my husband about it and he said I'll phone you back on Monday.
Narrator - Narrator: He did call back on the Monday morning but when Karen declined the offer, he became aggressive insisting they must have that admin fee whether she wanted her prize or not.
Karen McCracken: They just kept saying that I would need a solicitor and he went I'm going to send the police round to your door to get this money because you're breaking me the law not giving me it and it got me really scared to be honest and then when I come off the phone, I cried.
Narrator - Narrator: Karen didn't fall for what the man was saying.
She reported the calls to the police and to Nottinghamshire Trading Standards who issued a warning about the scam.
Karen McCracken: Well I think they're actually picking on people that need the money.
Very nasty people.
Narrator - Narrator: BBC Skillswise have put together some tips on how best to deal with those unwanted sales calls with an actress playing the part of a sales person.
They've come up with a cold call challenge to put consumers, including us, to the test.
Angela Rippon: Hello.
Speaker 4: Hello is that Mrs Jones?
Angela Rippon: Yes.
Speaker 4: How are you today Mrs Jones?
I hope you've been making the most of this lovely weather we've been having.
Angela Rippon: Ah you're going to sell me something aren't you?
Speaker 4: Well I have got a fantastic offer to make you Mrs Jones.
Angela Rippon: Ah let me stop you right there.
Thank you so much, I'm really not interested but thank you so much for your call.
Bye and that's how I do it.
Just get rid of them.
