Unsafe adaptors: Suffolk Trading Standards Import Surveillance Officers have detained 594 unsafe adaptors. The adaptors were for strip lights and laptops in a mixed consignment, destined to be sold on eBay. Many of the adaptors were fitted with counterfeit plugs with fake markings, others fitted with clover shaped plugs containing no fuse. The dangers associated with these range from electric shock hazards to a possible fire risk. If you are concerned about the safety of a product, please report it to Trading Standards via 0808 223 1133.
Theft: We have received a report of a Mildenhall resident being approached at the door by a woman claiming to be from a charity, calling to offer home help. The resident let the woman in, who then went to the bedroom. Items from the property have been noted as missing. Police have been informed. If you have any information that may be able to assist us, please call on 0808 223 1133. If someone does come to your door, it's important to remember the following:
- Only let someone in if you're expecting them or they're a trusted friend, family member or professional. Don’t feel embarrassed about turning someone away.
- Check their credentials. You should always check someone's credentials - a genuine person won't mind. You can phone the company they represent or check online, but never use contact details they give you.
Caravan scams: Due to travel restrictions and the loss of holidays overseas during the pandemic, there has been a shift in planning for staycations. This has led to people purchasing caravans and motorhomes for use when government guidelines permit. The increase in demand has been exploited by criminals advertising fake listings for caravans and motorhomes on auction sites citing lockdown restrictions as the reason vehicles can’t be viewed in person. Vehicles are advertised at attractive prices to tempt people into believing they’re getting a good deal, when in reality they simply don’t exist or don’t arrive once paid for. Payments are usually requested via bank transfer as opposed to using a recommended secure payment method. However, recently criminals are requesting the buyer pays using PayPal. The criminal then fails to send a PayPal invoice, at which point the buyer is contacted by someone pretending to be a representative from PayPal and receives a reference and bank account number for payment to be made into. Ultimately, the buyer doesn’t receive their goods as payment has been made into an account controlled by a criminal so customers should be on the lookout for scams. If it seems too good to be true, it usually is! Do your research, and don't part with your cash until you are sure the deal is genuine! Report all scams to us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
NI refund emails: Beware of these fake national insurance refund emails. The message informs the recipient that according to their national insurance contributions, they are eligible for a tax refund as part of measures to alleviate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown. The link goes to a page which requests the banking details of the user which sends the data to fraudsters. If you receive the email DO NOT click on the link.
Advice on scam emails: To report scam emails, forward the original message to report@phishing.gov.uk. An automated system run by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will scan the email, and if malicious links are found, the associated website will be taken down. If you think you have responded to a scam email and provided any financial details, contact you bank immediately. Report all scams to us via 0808 223 1133.
COVID secure: Businesses, please give assurance to your customers when you have put measures in place to be COVID Secure and that you are following current Government guidance. Further advice and information is available on the Suffolk County Council COVID-19 page https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/. The information regarding Working Safely with Coronavirus (COVID-19) includes current health and safety advice and a COVID-19 specific risk assessment template example. Information around Covid-19 is changing rapidly, to make it easier to find all of the information businesses need in one place, The New Anglia Growth Hub website has a COVID 19 business tool kit: https://www.newangliagrowthhub.co.uk/. The Growth Hub’s team of Business Advisers for Norfolk & Suffolk are also available to offer fully funded and impartial business support.