COLD-CALLING could be banned under strict new laws aimed at stamping out bogus tradesmen.
Pudsey Labour MP Paul Truswell called conmen preying on the elderly and infirm the `scum of the earth' when he demanded an end to door-to-door selling.
The Office of Fair Trading is now looking into stopping people touting for business on the doorstep.
"With the exception of crimes against children, nothing fills me with greater anger and disgust than the actions of those who cynically target and exploit vulnerable older people," said Mr Truswell.
New figures show that 96% of householders do not want doorstep sellers, while 21% reported a bad experience with a cold- caller.
Ron Gainsford, chief executive for the Trading Standards Institute, said: "We believe this is the beginning of the end for these crooks, who prey on the older and vulnerable people."
The Office of Fair Trading has outlined changes in the law to ban cold-callers touting for property maintenance and repair works.
Only salesmen with appointments would be able to visit homes.
