Beware of COVID-19 inheritance scams! We have received reports of Suffolk residents being targeted by scammers taking advantage of the current pandemic, sending emails stating you are entitled to inheritance. The scammers claim to represent a bank abroad, and contact you to inform you that a distant family member has died from COVID-19. They state you are the next of kin, and can claim large sums of money as inheritance. The money may be quoted in US dollars. This is a SCAM. No inheritance will be received. The scammers will attempt to dupe the recipient out of various sums of money claiming tax and duty needs to be paid, as well as various administration fees. Do not interact with the fraudsters, and report all scams to us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
TV licensing scam: Criminals are once again targeting people with TV licensing scam emails that claims your direct debit has failed and you need update your details. If you receive the same or a similar email, do not click the link. This is a phishing scam designed to steal your personal information and bank details. If you receive it, forward the email to report@phishing.gov.uk
How to spot the fake ‘TV Licence’ email:
- Check for spelling and grammar.
- Check the sender’s email address. Real emails from TV Licensing will only come from donotreply@tvlicensing.co.uk.
- TV Licensing will always address you by name as they’ll have you on record. A good way to spot a scam is that scammers will often address you with a generic term like ‘customer’.
- The real website address is www.tvlicensing.co.uk. Scammers do their best to replicate the link but there will always be one missing detail, whether that’s by inserting a dash or changing a spelling by one letter.
If you’re unsure, contact TV Licensing directly by looking up their details separately. Do not click on any links or call any numbers contained in a suspicious email.
Have you registered your poultry? More and more people have decided to have poultry in their back garden, and there has been an increase of new poultry owners over the last 6 months, since lockdown. If you keep 50 or more birds there is a requirement to register. However, you can choose to register fewer than 50 birds, or birds you keep as pets. This is something we would encourage you to do, so that the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) can contact you if there’s a disease outbreak (such as bird flu) in your area. More information here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/poultry-including-game-birds-registration-rules-and-forms
Have you started a business selling sweets online or via social media? The Food Standards Agency have a great guide on setting up a food business from home and the practical steps you need to take, such as registering your food business, complying with food hygiene rules and allergen management: https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/starting-a-food-business-from-home If you need further advice, please do call us via 0808 223 1133.
Peanut risk: Country Products Ltd is recalling Snak Shed Milk Chocolate Coated Jumbo Raisins because they contain peanuts which are not mentioned on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to peanuts. Pack Size: 60g Batch Code: MOR004 2LO 2107 0 and MOR004 2L6 2107 0 Best before: 21 July 2021 If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to peanuts do not eat it. Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.