Scam text: We are all potential targets of a scammer. A scam text was received by a Trading Standards Officer! There is a continued increase in reports about scams where victims are targeted on WhatsApp or by text message by criminals pretending to be someone they know – typically their children. Criminals will usually begin the conversation with “Hello Mum” or “Hello Dad” and will say that they are texting from a new mobile number as their phone was lost or damaged. They will then ask for money to purchase a new one, or claim that they need money urgently to pay a bill. The criminal will provide bank details for the payment to be made to, with some coming back with further demands for money. If you receive a suspicious message (even if you think you know who it is from), calling or requesting a voice note is the fastest and simplest way to check someone is who they say they are.
STOP: Take time before you respond. Make sure your WhatsApp two-step verification is switched on to protect your account, that you are happy with your privacy settings.
THINK: Does this request make sense? Are they asking for money? Remember that scammers prey on people’s kindness, trust and willingness to help.
CALL: Verify that it really is your friend or family member by calling them directly, or asking them to share a voice note. Only when you are 100% sure the request is from someone you know and trust, should you consider it.
Forward scam text messages for free to 7726. Your provider can investigate the text and take action if found to be fraudulent. You can report spam messages or block a sender within WhatsApp. Press and hold on the message bubble, select ‘Report’ and then follow the instructions. Never share your account’s activation code (that’s the six-digit code you receive via SMS). If you are on social media, please share this warning with friends and family.
Beware of these fake TV Licensing emails! The links within the email take you to a fake page created by fraudsters, designed to steal your personal information and money. Forward scam emails to the National Cyber Security Centre on report@phishing.gov.uk
Need help to check if a TV Licensing email is genuine?
1. Check the sender - Genuine TV Licensing emails are sent from donotreply@tvlicensing.co.uk or donotreply@spp.tvlicensing.co.uk
2. Partial Postcode - If you have provided TV Licensing with your postcode details, their emails will include part of your postcode and/or the name on the licence.
3. Look for your name - If you’ve given TV Licensing your name, then they’ll always address you using your last name and title. The scammers won’t normally have that information about you. So, watch out for emails that only address you as “Dear client” or “Dear customer” – or just use your email address (or part of it).
4. Check the spelling and grammar - Because scammers can’t use genuine TV Licensing web addresses or email addresses, they’ll try to use slightly different spellings – look out for things like hyphens and full stops in odd places. Be suspicious too if there are mistakes in the email with capital letters or other grammatical errors, like missing full stops – this could be a scam.
5. Check the links - Be wary of emails promising money/refunds. For example, phrases such as, “click below to access your refund”, followed by a request to provide your credit card or bank details (we would never process a refund in this way). Always check links in an email before clicking or tapping them. If you're on a computer, hover over the link (but don't click it). This will reveal the name of the web address that you are being sent to. If you're on a smartphone or tablet, press and hold on the link (don't release while you are on the link). This will reveal the name of the web address that you are being sent to. Share this article from our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Bird flu: There are currently 7 confirmed outbreaks in Suffolk:
- Little Livermere (backyard flock)
- Fakenham Magna (commercial premises)
- Fakenham Magna (backyard flock)
- Nedging (commercial premises)
- Mutford (commercial premises)
- Little Livermere (commercial premises)
- Stoke By Nayland (commercial premises)
Suffolk as declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of disease occurring. This means that it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks, of whatever type or size.
The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) means bird keepers must:
- cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing
- reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control
- keep records of mortality, movement of poultry and poultry products and any changes in production
- thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis
- keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points
- minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds
- prevent access by poultry to ponds and watercourses and ensure that birds are kept in fenced or enclosed areas
More information is available on the Gov website here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu
The AIPZ will be in place until further notice, and will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of bird flu. Bird keepers and members of the public should report dead wild birds to Defra’s national dead wild bird helpline on 03459 33 55 77 and keepers should report suspicion of disease in their birds to APHA on 03000 200 301.
Green heating and insulation: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a call for information looking at consumer experiences and business practices in the green heating and insulation sectors. It will explore whether action is needed to help ensure consumers are treated fairly and businesses are supported to meet their obligations under consumer protection law. Heating millions of homes across the country accounts for about 17% of the UK’s carbon emissions. With this in mind, more people are taking steps to switch to greener forms of heating, and to insulate their homes, to help reduce their carbon footprint. With better insulation, many are also seeking to reduce household energy bills. The CMA is concerned about the potential for poor practices, such as making misleading claims about potential cost savings, product performance and suitability - particularly when selling newer, next generation technologies. Consumer groups have already raised concerns, including that consumers have a limited understanding of some newer green heating products and the process for buying them can be complicated and confusing. Consumers, businesses and other interested groups are invited to share their views through a questionnaire by 1 November 2022: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consumer-protection-in-green-heating-and-insulation-sector-a-call-for-information Share this post from our Facebook or Twitter account.
Rogue fish seller: A fish seller who sold poor-quality fish to elderly people in Suffolk using aggressive business tactics has been handed an eight-month custodial sentence. Brian Pendlington, 43, of the Oval, Ouston, Chester-Le-Street, County Durham, was prosecuted by our colleagues at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council Trading Standards. Taking on details of complainants in Suffolk. Mr Pendlington was also handed an unlimited Criminal Behaviour Order, preventing him from doorstep selling. Mr Pendlington, who targeted victims across the Midlands, the North of England and East of England, operated with total disregard for the quality of the fish he was supplying and the safety of his customers. Trawler Fresh Limited had no safety procedures in place and broke the law by failing to properly record the temperature at which the fish was stored, label what the fish was and where it had come from or provide use-by dates. An expert found some of the fish was unfit for human consumption. The 43-year-old targeted victims in Diss, Stoke-by-Nayland, Tuddenham, Red Lodge, Great Bealings, Rushmere St Andrew, Eye and Ipswich. One resident in Lakenheath paid £297 for a freezer full of fish, with the trader returning six months later when the victim paid another £495. Suffolk Trading Standards took samples of the fish delivered and found it to be underweight and not fit for human consumption. Another victim in Brandon paid £495 for a freezer full of fish, but opened one packet to find that it was already out of date. One victim who gave evidence in court, who was 71 and lived alone, was pressurised into purchasing around 40 packs of fish for £495, which were loaded into her freezer by a salesman who didn’t give her the chance to inspect her purchase. Another, who suffered a similar experience and was charged £195, described feeling violated and vulnerable in her own home. Victims felt they had no choice but to pay. Where returns were requested, victims were told that this was not possible as the “chill chain” had been broken because the fish had been placed in their freezer. In some cases, Pendlington repeatedly failed to provide receipts or cancellation rights, and those who did attempt to cancel or complain rarely received a response. Suffolk victims will be contacted by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council Trading Standards to inform them of the outcome. Seven other mobile fish sellers from the North East have been identified, convicted and sentenced after prosecutions brought by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, following investigations by the National Trading Standards North East Regional Investigation Team. Know someone that has been approached by rogue fish sellers? Share this article with them via our Facebook page.
Doorstep callers: We have received a report of doorstep callers knocking on doors in Orford at the weekend. One resident was convinced into buy a knife sharpener from the individual that called at their property. Were you approached? Do you have any information on the traders calling, or a description of them or the vehicle(s) that were travelling in? Trading Standards always advise residents to refrain from buying at the doorstep and not to buckle to pressure from salespeople offering supposedly one-off ‘buy it now’ low prices. Report all doorstep callers to us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Primark are recalling four children's plates as they have been found to release trace amounts of Lead and Formaldehyde at levels higher than EU regulation permitted levels.
Winnie the Pooh Plate (Kimball no. 6041901)
Bunny Character Wooden Plate (Kimball no. 8096001)
Bear Character Wooden Plate (Kimball no. 8096002)
Rainbow Wood Plate (Kimball no. 7981401)
The products have been on sale in Primark stores in the UK from 07 October 2021 (Bunny Character Wooden Plate and Bear Character Wooden Plate), and 29 May 2022 (Winnie the Pooh Plate and Rainbow Wood Plate). Stop using it immediately and return it to a Primark store for a full refund (no receipt is required). Please share with friends and family who may have this product. You can share the posts published on our Facebook and Twitter pages.