Solar panels: Do you have solar panels? If so, please be aware that rogues are continuing to contact Suffolk residents who have solar panels. The rogues are using a number of tactics including informing victims that their original installer has "gone bust" and therefore any warranty or insurance they took out is now void. Two Kesgrave residents have recently been contact by solar panel traders. One was advised that the business that had installed their panels was no longer trading and that they may be able to claim money. The other was contacted and told that they needed to inspect the panel on their roof and they would need a part added to comply with safety standards. Thankfully, in both instances the residents declined to engage further and no inspections took place. If you are approached by a company who make claims about your solar panels, make some checks before handing over any money. Contact your installer to see if they are still in business. Please report any calls that you receive to us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Cost of Living payments: Beware of scams related to the Cost of Living payments. We have been made aware of a text scam relating to cost-of-living payments. Customers are sent a text and asked to click on a link and provide their bank details to receive their payment. This is a scam. Please DO NOT click on the link or provide your bank details.
If you are eligible:
You do not need to apply for the payment
You do not need to call
Payment to you is automatic
DWP will never ask for personal details by text or email
The first payment of £326 will automatically be paid into eligible customers bank accounts between 14/7/22 and 31/7/22, although there may be a delay in some circumstances.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) sets out a number of different ways to report scams depending on the type:
Email scams. If you get a dodgy looking email, you can report it to the NCSC by forwarding it to report@phishing.gov.uk . Remember not to click on any links within these emails.
Text scams. If you get a suspicious text message, you can forward it to the number 7726 – this will allow your provider to track the origin of the text and arrange to block or ban the sender if it's a scam. You can also report scam text messages to report@phishing.gov.uk by providing a screenshot of the text message.
Website scams. If you notice a website that doesn't look quite right, you can easily report the URL to the NCSC directly via its online form https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/about-this-website/report-scam-website
E-bike safety warning: London Fire Brigade have issued an urgent e-bike safety warning following a serious blaze at a block of flats in Shepherd’s Bush last month. At the height of the incident, 60 firefighters were tackling the fire in a 12th floor flat. Fire crews led six people to safety and one man was taken to hospital. The Brigade’s fire investigators have determined the blaze was accidental and caused by the failure of an e-bike’s lithium-ion battery. London’s firefighters have seen a huge spike in e-bike and e-scooter incidents as they have become more popular in recent years and have issued several warnings about how ferocious the fires can be. When these batteries and chargers fail, they do so with ferocity and because the fires develop so rapidly the situation can quickly become incredibly serious. Another issue with fires involving lithium-ion batteries is that when they fail, they eject their contents over a wide area which can lead to multiple areas of burning in the room where the fire has started. London Fire Brigade fire investigators have determined that many of the e-bike incidents have involved e-bike conversion kits (to convert a standard push bike into an electric bike rather than purpose built ones). These only provide the motors and control gear but batteries must be sourced separately. The Brigade’s Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety, Charlie Pugsley, said: “There is a significant risk posed by the e-bikes which have been converted and we are predominantly seeing fires in ones which have been purchased from online market places and batteries which have been sourced on the internet, which may not meet the correct safety standards." We would also remind e-scooter owners that their use on public roads is illegal. Where a trial rental scheme is running, it's legal to use a rental e-scooter on a public road or cycle lane, provided you have the correct licence and follow road traffic regulations.
E-bike and e-scooter safety advice:
Always use the correct charger for the product and buy an official one from a reputable seller.
Batteries can get warm during their use and it is advisable to allow them to cool down before attempting to re-charge as they could be more susceptible to failure.
Batteries should always be charged on hard flat surfaces where heat can dissipate.
Batteries can also pose a risk if they have been damaged, so try to ensure they are not getting knocked around while in use or while being carried as spares as this can increase the chance of damage to cells.
You should always make sure you unplug your charger once it’s finished charging. Always follow manufacturers’ instructions when charging and we would advise not to leave it unattended or while people are asleep.
Ensure you have smoke alarms fitted in areas where e-bikes or e-scooters are being charged and make sure they are tested regularly.
Never block your escape route with anything, including bikes and scooters. Store them somewhere away from a main through route.
If you have concerns about the safety of any product, stop using it and report it to us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Vapes: Both locally and nationally we are seeing a rise in potentially unsafe and non-compliant vape products, and as such we are asking you to carry out a few checks on the products you have in stock, as well as those that you intend to buy in. Under the Tobacco & Related Product Regulations 2016 there are legal requirements relating to the sale and supply of e-cigarettes and e-liquids. For example, disposable e-cigarettes can contain no more than 2% nicotine and must not contain more than 2ml of liquid. We are advising retailers to carry out the following checks on products before buying them from your supplier and placing them on sale.
Check the strength - the maximum strength should be no more than 2% nicotine.
Check the capacity - the maximum capacity should be no more than 2ml.
Check the warning – it should state “This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance”, not ‘…nicotine is a highly addictive chemical’.
Check there is a UK address on the product
Check the E-cigarette / refill container is child resistant, tamper evident and protected against breakage and leakage.
Ensure you purchase your stock from reputable suppliers and keep receipts/invoices as proof of purchase.
Where you discover (perhaps as a result of a consumer complaint) that a product you have supplied poses risks to the consumer and is unsafe, you must immediately notify your supplier of the issue. In some instances - for example, where it is not easy to contact your supplier - you must then inform your local trading standards service via 0808 223 1133.
Further guidance is available from the Medical Health & Regulatory Authority (MHRA) and the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA).
Brush Mate Fluid 250 ml
Batch number: 188579
Sold between: 20 April 2022 - 15 July 2022
Brush Mate Fluid is a product to be used with the Trade 20 and Brush Bucket products. The vapour from the bottle, when released into the Trade 20 / Brush Bucket keeps wet paint brushes stored inside pliable for reuse, without the need to clean them. There is a small percentage of this batch in the market where the caps have not fully engaged with the child safety mechanism. This product contains a flammable liquid which can cause skin irritation, eye damage and be dangerous if swallowed. What should I do? Make sure caps are fully tightened so that safety mechanism engages. Should you have any additional questions, please contact Brush Mate by email sales@brushmate.co.uk .
John West recall: John West is recalling John West Boneless Sardines in Sunflower Oil and John West Sardines in Olive Oil because of a possible microbiological contamination risk. The affected tins are sold through Morrisons, Waitrose, Tesco, Ocado, Amazon, EH Booth, James Hall, Century Park, Co-operative and James Wilson stores.
John West boneless Sardines in sunflower oil
Pack size: 95g
Batch code: 109, 110, 111, 112, 113
Best before: December 2026
John West Sardines in olive oil
Pack size: 120g
Batch code: 109, 110, 111, 112, 113
Best before: December 2026
If you have bought either of the above products do not eat them. Instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact consumercontact@john-west.com .