‘Scampaign’ Kicks off with Doorstep Sales

UNSCRUPULOUS doorstep sellers are under the spotlight this month as Trading Standards begins its six month long ‘Scampaign’.

Doorstep sales are an increasingly common way for scammers to prey on vulnerable people and Trading Standards are determined to raise awareness through their 2012 campaign.

The county-wide crackdown on rogue traders and cold callers was launched earlier this month to examine the huge range of scams that Suffolk people are continually exposed to.

Each month will focus on a different issue, including telephone sales, E- crime and ticketing scams.

Along with trained and experienced Trading Standards officers, a new cohort of ‘Consumer Champions’ will be offering invaluable advice and guidance to help protect vulnerable members of the community.

This month, Consumer Champion Rhoda Staleyis offering advice and guidance on doorstep sales:

 

• Don’t be scared to say ‘no’ to a doorstep caller – there is no problem with being over cautious
• Never agree to work on your home on the spot, seek advice before agreeing to anything.
• Remember that doorstep callers can come in all shapes and sizes – they can men, women, pairs and have children with them
• Don’t be taken in by illegal pressure selling tactics, such as refusing to leave, repeatedly calling or claiming they’ll lose their job if you don’t agree to the work
• Check on your elderly and vulnerable relatives and neighbours regularly if you suspect doorstep callers are operating in your area

 

Rhoda has been a Consumer Champion for over a year now. She said; “I feel so strongly about playing my part during the Scampaign as I had my own personal experience with a doorstep caller. As a result of getting drawn into the scam, I had a traumatic time going through the court to get some of my money back. I would hate this to happen to others, so I’m doing what I can to help.

 

“It is so important that we do all we can to educate and empower Suffolk people to identify the early warning signs and feel they have the confidence to say ‘no’ to  deceitful doorstep sellers.”

 

Next month, Trading Standards and their Consumer Champions will focus on ticketing scams. Consumers are often caught out buying tickets for gigs that haven’t gone on sale yet, or have been sold out for weeks.The tickets either turn out to be fake or do not arrive at all.Calls to the company often go unanswered or divert to a different number and consumers are left out of pocket and disappointed.

 

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‘Scampaign’ launched to protect Suffolk people

A crackdown on rogue traders and cold callers is being launched as part of Suffolk Trading Standards’ six month long ‘Scampaign’.

Coinciding with Scams Awareness Month 2012, Trading Standards will use this unique campaign to examine the huge range of scams that Suffolk people are continually exposed to.

Each month will focus on a different issue, including doorstep selling, E- crime and ticketing scams.

Along with trained and experienced Trading Standards officers, a cohort of ‘Consumer Champions’ will be offering invaluable advice and guidance to help protect vulnerable members of the community.

Consumer Champions are volunteers that act as a bridge between Trading Standards and the local community. They make it easier for people to access information about consumer protection and to build resilience against rogue traders and scams.

Using the latest social media technology, from Facebook to Twitter, the county’s 152 champions are the first line of defence when it comes to keepingSuffolka rogue free zone.

Councillor Colin Spence, Suffolk County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Public Protection said; “Targets of scams, often the elderly or vulnerable, can find themselves on the receiving end of wave after wave of letters, emails, phone calls and visits to their doorstep.

“This is simply unacceptable and something we need to tackle head on in our county. We want to come away from our ‘Scampaign’ feeling we have educated and empowered Suffolk people to identify the warning signs and have the confidence to say ‘no’ to these unscrupulous scammers.”

Beaded Bracelet Product Recall Warning

Suffolk Trading Standards are working with Rainstick Trading Ltd in Saxmundham in regards to a product they are recalling from the market.

The product is a red and black beaded bracelet, as shown above. Rainstick Trading are recalling these bracelets, made from the seeds of the Abrus Precatorius plant, because the seeds could be potentially dangerous if swallowed or came into contact with broken skin.

The majority of these bracelets were sold to the Eden Project inCornwall, but they have also been supplied to other retailers. If you have bought one of these bracelets, stop wearing it immediately and return it to the retailer, who should issue you with a refund.  If you are concerned please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.

Amber Teething Necklaces/Bracelets/Anklets Safety Notice

Suffolk Trading Standards has been made aware of Baltic Amber Teething products, including necklaces, bracelets and anklets, designed and marketed for children under 36 months.

They consist of amber beads which are fossilised tree resin and range in colour from yellow to white and beige to brown.

Suppliers claim that when worn close to the skin, succinic acid will be released by the amber beads to relieve the symptoms of teething.

Some of these items on the UK market have been subjected to safety testing in the UK and have failed.  This is due to the possibility of:

• small parts becoming detached and ingested,
• the actual item itself, as a whole, becoming a chocking  and strangulation hazard, and,
• issues surrounding the clasps used, for example magnets which have a magnetic flux index over the permitted levels which may cause damage by sticking together inside the body if ingested.

As an example, one of the tests items has been examined against and failed, was the test for small parts under the Toy Safety Standard BS EN 71.  This seeks to prevent injuries to children under 36 months from choking, inhaling or swallowing small objects via the mouth.  The test involves placing the object into a specially designed test cylinder that is replicated to the size of the throat of a child under 36 months.  If the item fits into the cylinder, it fails.

A Suffolk supplier is currently conducting a voluntary recall on the products sold due to the safety concerns and the lack of evidence to show these items meet safety requirements.  These items originated from Lithuania and the manufacturer has not been able to provide testing information to state the items are safe.

In our view these items pose a serious risk to children.  Our advice would be to find alternatives measures to sooth the pain of teething which Health Professionals should be able to assist parents with.

Photos can be found at: http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/emergency-and-safety/community-safety/suffolk-trading-standards/product-recall-and-safety-notices/

Suffolk cracks down on illegal tobacco

A new campaign has been launched to prevent children being targeted for sales of illegal tobacco.

Illegal tobacco, which comes in the form of smuggled or counterfeit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco, is sold at around half the price of legal tobacco and can have a devastating effect on local communities.
Studies suggest that young people may be up to four times more price sensitive than adults, making them a particular target. Access to cut-price tobacco makes it easier for children to smoke and can bring them into contact with criminals.
According to new research, almost a third of people in Suffolk have been offered illegal tobacco (28%) and 14% admit to buying it.
The month-long campaign sees Suffolk County Council working alongside Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), NHS, East of England Trading Standards Association and other local councils to raise awareness of the dangers of illegal tobacco in our area.

Councillor Colin Spence, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection said;
“People don’t necessarily understand the consequences of purchasing illegal tobacco, and we want to help them understand how their actions might be impacting on their own neighbourhoods. While the cheaper price may be appealing, the consequences can be grave, especially for young people.
“It is a scary fact that illegal tobacco also goes hand in hand with the sale of drugs and alcohol, with child exploitation and money laundering. This is something we want to prevent at all costs, which is why this campaign is so important.”

Local campaigners, including Smokefree East of England and Suffolk Trading Standards will be taking to the streets in Ipswich and Lowestoft this month to promote this important message in the local community.
Children’s centres, NHS stop smoking services and other participating groups across the county are also campaigning to raise awareness of the dangers of illegal tobacco with those they come into contact with on a day-to-day basis.

Elspeth Gibson, Chair of the Suffolk Tobacco Control Alliance;
“The criminal gangs that sell smuggled cigarettes are not concerned with who buys them, and do not care who they sell to.
“Unfortunately this often includes children and young people who are under age. As well as causing criminals to prey upon our children, purchasing illegal tobacco brings other crime to our communities and undermines legitimate businesses.”

The campaign is asking members of the community to:
TALK: Help stop the flow of illegal tobacco by telling friends and family about the issue
PLEDGE: To support the campaign against illegal tobacco
REPORT: To share any information about illegal tobacco in the area by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
People can find out more and pledge their support by visiting the campaign website at www.no-illegal-tobacco.co.uk.

OAP conned out of £160,000 with one phone call

A pensioner was swindled out of £160,000 of life savings in just a single phone call from a serial conman.

Fraudster Gary Turner, 41, rang the OAP to promise to get him a refund on a botched building job after pretending to be from trading standards.

The pensioner ended up handing over thousands of pounds. 

It was only when the pensioner became suspicious and went to the police that he was told he had been the victim of an elaborate scam.

But by then he had lost his life savings. Turner, from Birmingham, was jailed for five years for his leading part in the  con.
 

The elderly victim was first contacted by the tricksters by phone in April 2011.

The caller told the householder that trading standards were looking to prosecute a builder who had overcharged him for work on his house.

Within days of the start of the con, the pensioner was persuaded to hand over large carrier bags of cash to pay for the non-existent legal fees.

The conmen made their victim follow elaborate instructions before handing over the money to a gang member, posing as a courier.

The day after that phone call he was telephoned again and told that he was in danger.

The victim was told that he was not safe and that one of the builders being investigated was `at large’ and because of that he would have to move into a hotel for his own safety.He booked himself into a hotel as ordered, even paying for his own room.

He would then receive a phone call explaining that they needed some money to cover legal costs.

If you are concerned you might have been the victim of a scam contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506. 

Vital advice on petrol storage

AS PEOPLE in Suffolk consider how to respond to the potential fuel strike, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and Trading Standards have issued a joint safety message on the dangers of storing petrol at home.

Whilst any industrial action will not have an effect on frontline services, the county council is urging Suffolk residents to remain aware of the serious fire risks that surround the storage of fuels in domestic premises.

Petrol can be kept in a domestic garage or outbuilding, but there are restrictions on the amount that can be stored. Only the following combinations of two approved* containers are permitted:

• One suitable 10 litre metal container and one 5 litre approved plastic containers (totalling 15 litres), or
• Two 5 litre approved plastic containers (note only 10 litres can be kept, if 2 plastic containers are used)

The containers used must be robust, marked with their contents and have tight fitting lids to prevent leakage of liquid or vapour. They must also be stored securely – ideally they should be locked up and kept away from any combustible material. Under no circumstances should petrol be stored in the home.

Councillor Colin Spence, Suffolk County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Public Protection said; “We strongly advise against the bulk buying and storage of petrol. It is an incredibly dangerous substance which should never be kept in the home – it is not worth the risk to you, your family and your loved ones. It is also against the law.

“There are regulations about how and where it is kept, and we would advise people to take note of these. Petrol vapour is largely invisible and leakages can travel significant distances to find a source of ignition. We are advising people to conserve current fuel stocks by avoiding unnecessary journeys.”

* – If plastic, containers must comply with Petroleum Spirit container regulations established in 1982: Statutory Instrument 1982/630 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1982/630/contents/made