ROGUE TRADER: On Tuesday (13th February) Newmarket residents were approached at the door by an individual leafleting for a roofing company. The caller offered to jet wash the residents' driveway. At one property the trader advised that it would cost £280 to clean and seal the driveway, but then dropped the price to £180 when the resident declined. At another property, the trader advised that it would cost £150, but then dropped the price to £150. Were you approached? Did you see any vehicle they were travelling in? If you have any information please contact us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133. While it might be tempting to agree to low prices being offered on the doorstep, think twice. Our advice is:
- never agree to have any work done as a result of a cold call, and don't be pressurised into having the job done immediately
- if you think work needs doing to your home, get quotes from 2 or 3 traders. Ask friends and family for recommendations of traders who have carried out work for them. You can also check Suffolk Trusted Trader for traders that have been vetted and approved by us: https://trustedtrader.team/Suffolk/
- ask for the full name & address from a trader before considering dealing with them, and never rely solely on a mobile phone number
- ask for a written quotation detailing all the proposed work and a final price for the job BEFORE the work is started
- only pay once the work is completed to your satisfaction, don't pay up front for materials, don't pay cash
TV LICENCE SCAM: Beware of 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? Check the sender - Genuine TV Licensing emails are sent from donotreply@tvlicensing.co.uk or donotreply@spp.tvlicensing.co.uk
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.
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).
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.
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 (TV Licensing 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.
ROMANCE FRAUD: Reports of romance fraud have risen by almost 60% over four years. Romance fraudsters prey on kindness and will use emotive stories like needing emergency medical care or visiting family overseas as a reason for a short-term loan or a gift card bought for them. They use language to manipulate, persuade and exploit. Anyone can fall victim to romance scammers as they often come across as incredibly genuine and spend weeks gaining the trust of their victims and building up a relationship before asking for money. This emotional attachment makes it extremely difficult for the victim to say no, especially when they are fed a range of stories about illnesses or investment opportunities to encourage them to transfer cash to the scammer without a second thought. Many people can feel too embarrassed and ashamed to report romance scams, but it is important that they do so to help try and recover their money and stop others from being targeted by these cruel criminals in future. We urge people to remain vigilant when online dating, with someone declaring strong feelings after only a few conversations or refusing to video call or meet in person potentially being cause for concern. Those who have swiped right for a scammer should contact the national Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.
It is important that no matter how long you’ve been speaking to someone online and how much you think you trust them, if you have not met them in person, it’s important that you do not:
- Send them any money
- Allow them access to your bank account
- Transfer money on their behalf
- Take a loan out for them
- Provide copies of your personal documents such as passports or driving licenses
- Invest your own money on their behalf or on their advice
- Purchase and send the codes on gift cards from Amazon or iTunes
- Agree to receive and/or send parcels on their behalf (laptops, mobile phones etc.)
BODY SHOP: Sadly, the UK arm of The Body Shop has entered administration. Although full details have not yet been announced, the administrators have stated that the business will continue to trade in administration, ensuring customers will be able to continue to shop in-store and online. If you have any vouchers or gift cards for the retailer, it would be advisable to spend them as soon as possible. The administrators are allowed to stop accepting gift cards at any point. We will update you when more information is available.
UNSAFE HEATERS: Which? research has found that 75% of the heaters it bought from TikTok and Temu sellers were unsafe electrically, and could pose a danger to anybody using them. Three of the five heaters they bought through TikTok were unsafe and the instructions for a fourth were lacking key safety warnings. All three heaters bought through Temu presented a danger to anyone using them. Find out more www.which.co.uk/news/article/electric-heaters-temu-tiktok-shop-a6c744h4Olcl
- Make sure you buy from manufacturers or retailers that you know and trust. Avoid second-hand heaters but if you do then ask sellers what safety checks have been carried out.
- Register your appliance and ensure you check your heater has not been recalled.
- Ensure you have a working smoke alarm on every floor in your home and test it regularly
- Put your heater on a level surface, well away from anything or anyone that could knock it over.
- Make sure your heater is at least well away from combustible materials, such as paper, furniture or curtains.
- Never use it to dry your clothes.
- Never leave your heater unattended for long periods whilst in use, or while you are asleep.
- Never power a heater from an extension lead – they can easily be overloaded and cause fires.
- Regularly inspect your heater for damage and deterioration. If it isn’t in good condition, don’t use it.
If you are concerned about the safety of a product, stop using it immediately and report it to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
STOP! THINK FRAUD: A major campaign to transform the fight against fraudsters launched this week. Stop! Think Fraud is backed by leading counter fraud experts who are uniting under one voice to provide consistent, clear and robust anti-fraud advice to the public. Fraud accounts for around 40% of all crime in England and Wales, with an estimated 3.2 million offences each year. The latest data from the Crime Survey of England and Wales shows it has reduced by 13% over the past year. The estimated cost of fraud to society is £6.8 billion in England and Wales. The evidence led campaign draws on the expertise of leading counter-fraud experts and includes an online fraud hub which will provide concise, simple to follow advice. It will also signpost victims to relevant organisations for further advice and support. Impactful adverts will also be prominently displayed in public settings, from billboards to radio, and from TV screens to social media. It is anticipated the campaign will be seen by 95% of adults in the UK over the coming weeks. Stop! Think Fraud has been created to empower a mass audience, with a new website providing vital guidance on how to spot fraud, stay safe and what to do if targeted: www.gov.uk/stopthinkfraud.
TROUSERS RECALL: Next recall Girls Parachute Trousers due to a risk of entrapment. The toggle drawstring feature at the waist and hem is not correctly secured to the trousers.
ITEM NOs. 301712 (KHAKI) & 318446 (STONE)
To arrange a collection please call Next on 0333 777 8000 and choose option 1. (Lines are open between 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday & 8am to 7pm Saturday and Sunday.) You can also call Selfserve on 0800 587 7758, input your Selfserve number and select option 3. Or sign into 'My Account' and select 'Arrange a return' from the menu. Alternatively, please return the item to a store (for a full refund). If you have given this item as a gift, please ask the recipient to contact Next as soon as possible.