Help us to help protect Suffolk! Become a Consumer Champion and receive a weekly email with details of the scams and rogues targeting the County, or if you are a business, sign up to receive an email when the scammers are targeting you. Spend 20 minutes to complete the online Friends Against Scams training to help you to be able to spot a scam, and know when to refer to us, an individual that you think might be a victim. Help us to stop rogue traders targeting vulnerable individuals in your community by signing your road up to be a No Cold Calling Zone, or if you are a Suffolk business, become a Suffolk Trading Standards Approved business to help consumers know that you are a business that they can trust. Find out more here: www.suffolk.gov.uk/TradingStandards
Unsafe Goods: A consignment of 1,400 unsafe balance bikes, bikes, baby walkers and rockers has been detained by Suffolk Trading Standards Import Surveillance team. Failures included the baby walker having sharp edges on the tray as well as detachable small parts that pose a choking hazard, and overturning in testing. The rocker posed a entrapment hazard and the straps could easily detach and the bike posed an injury hazard as there were no means of ensuring a safe insertion depth for the handle bar or seat. The consignment was due to be delivered to a warehouse in Leicestershire. The products have been removed from Amazon listings and the goods have been destroyed. If you have purchased a product that you think may be unsafe, stop using it immediately and report it to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Remember the Take Five advice to avoid purchase scams:
- Be suspicious of any 'too good to be true' offers or prices.
- Use the secure payment method recommended by reputable online retailers and actions sites.
- Where possible, use a credit card when making purchases over £100 and up to £30,000 - as you receive extra protection.
- Do your research and read online review to check websites and sellers are genuine.
Online dating is by far the most popular way to meet someone, and January is the busiest time of year for both new and experienced users. However, this means that it’s also a very busy time for cybercriminals, posing as suitors to steal your money or identity … or both.
Will you ask yourself:
How can I tell if that person is genuine or a fraudster?
Is that profile photo real, or is it really of a model or film star?
Should I continue online dating via a normal messaging app, or SMS?
How about when we meet in person for the first time?
Get Safe Online have put together TEN TOP TIPS to help you keep safe: www.getsafeonline.org/datesafe/
Calling all small businesses and sole traders! Get a personalised action plan to prevent cyber attacks by answering a few questions. The National Cyber Security Centre's Cyber Action Plan creates a simple guide for you to follow to keep cyber criminals at bay in 2024, and takes less than 10 minutes. Keep your business secure online: www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/actionplan
Food Crime: Food crime can affect any food business regardless of size or sector. It is not a victimless crime, and it can impact your brand’s reputation and pose a risk to your customers. Food crime can not only lead to a person or business suffering a financial loss through intentional acts of dishonesty from an individual or an organised criminal network but can also impact food safety. The National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) has identified seven different types of criminal behaviour often seen in food crime:
adulteration
substitution
theft
misrepresentation
illegal processing
waste diversion
and document fraud
Their Food Crime Guidance for Food Businesses helps support food operators and managers to develop their awareness of food crime. It includes a checklist that covers the things you can do in order to keep your business safe as well as key contacts you need to have to report a food crime: www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/food-crime-guidance-for-businesses
Recall: Reckitt has taken the precautionary step of recalling Nutramigen LGG stage 1 and stage 2 Hypoallergenic Formula powders because of the possible presence of Cronobacter sakazakii. Both products are foods used for special medical purposes for infants. The products are mainly prescribed but are also available without a prescription.
Nutramigen LGG Stage 1 Hypoallergenic Formula
Pack size: 400g
Batch code: ZL3F7D
Best before: 01 July 2025
Nutramigen LGG Stage 2 Hypoallergenic Formula
Pack size: 400g
Batch code: ZL3FAA
Best before: 01 July 2025
Nutramigen LGG Stage 2 Hypoallergenic Formula
Pack size: 400g
Batch code: ZL3FDM
Best before: 01 July 2025
Symptoms caused by Cronobacter sakazakii usually include fever and diarrhoea, and in severe cases may lead to sepsis or meningitis which include symptoms in infants including poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes) and abnormal breaths and movements. If you have purchased or been prescribed any of the above product batches, do not feed it to your baby and return to the place of purchase. If you have additional questions, please contact Reckitt on 01895 230575. If you have any concerns about the health of your baby, please seek medical advice.