HOTELIERS TARGETED BY BOGUS ADVERT SCAM

Owners of hotels, guest houses and bed-and-breakfast establishments are being targeted by people purporting to be a Debt Collection Agency. The caller claims that the trader owes money for an advert, supposedly placed in a directory. They demand payment over the phone. Kent Trading Standards say they are aware of this scam. The people involved seem to target a particular sector of trade with calls very often from outside the UK. They advise anyone receiving such a call not to engage in conversation but to ask for written evidence of a contract. Reputable companies will provide details of the debt owed and explain options in resolving the matter. If you are contacted and have never placed an advert in a directory, it is very likely to be a scam. There's more information on scams that are specifically aimed at businesses at www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/kent/businessscams.htm.   (May 9, 2012)

OVERPRICING ON POSTAGE STAMPS

Following the recent rise in postage prices, it seems some shops have been selling stamps for more than the amount charged at the Post Office. Royal Mail has an agreement with retailers that stamps must be sold at or below the Royal Mail's current published tariff price. Royal Mail takes any reports of retailers overcharging for stamps very seriously and would appreciate details of any known incidents of overcharging. Consumers can contact Royal Mail to report the name and address of a shop involved either by , phoning them on 08457 640640 or writing to them at: Royal Mail, Tallents House, 21 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 9PB.   (May 4, 2012)

ALERTS: FRENCH CHEESE, KIDS JUICE AND AMBER NECKLACES

Kent Trading Standards have issued warnings to the public about:

• Amber Teething Necklaces - products aimed at babies under 36 months and marketed as “amber teething necklaces”. It is considered that these present a potential choking hazard to babies due to the possibility of small parts becoming detached and swallowed. The necklace as a whole also presents a risk of strangulation. Anyone who has bought a necklace or has seen them on sale should contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 045006 for further advice and guidance.
• Tropicana Kids Orange Juice Drinks - manufacturers Pepsico say some multipacks only contain water, rather than the orange juice blend, and the water is of unsatisfactory quality due to microbiological contamination. The products involved are Tropicana Kids Orange Juice Drink in shrink-wrapped multipacks of four 200ml cartons. Consumers are advised not to drink them and contact the Tropicana freephone helpline 0800 032 4460 or return the product by FREEPOST to Tropicana Consumer Care, Freepost LE 4918, Leicester LE4 5ZY for replacement or refund. No other PepsiCo products are known to be affected.
• French cheese - people who have bought cheese in France since February 2012 need to be aware of an alert issued by the French Food Authorities. It applies to three brands of reblochon cheese that may be contaminated with the bacteria that causes brucellosis. The cheeses - sold under the brand names of Le Campagnard, Gaston and Pernet Mugnier Christian - are being recalled in France following the detection of the bacteria Brucella in the unpasteurised milk used to make them. They were sold from February to April 2012 in 450g packs. The affected cheeses were not supplied to any businesses in the UK but people who may have travelled to France and bought the products there should not consume them. No other raw milk cheeses, apart from those named, are affected. Further details are available from the Food Standards Agency website www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2012/apr/reblochon.      (May 4, 2012)

WAR ON SCAM MAIL

Kent Trading Standards are organising the collection of scam mail during May and need the public to help! As part of their "Scamnesty Month 2012" the consumer watchdogs want to target dishonest attempts by criminals to trick people into parting with their money. These can be by letter, telephone, e-mail or text messages.

There are hundreds of different scams - fake lotteries, prize draws, get rich and investment schemes, bogus health cures, wills, clairvoyants . . . . . the list goes on. often people are told that they will win cash or other prizes for a payment. THEY WON’T. Every year three million people in Britain fall victim to scams, often losing hundreds, even thousands, of pounds. Kent Trading Standards officers say they regularly deal with scam victims. Some of the grave consequences of these merciless crimes can lead to debts in excess of £50,000 and even the repossession of a person's home!

To support the Scamnesty campaign take any scam mail you, your family, or neighbours, have received to your local Citizens Advice Bureau* or nearest Gateway**. These mailings will then be shredded, in a confidential secure facility, and taken to a local school where the children will recycle the tiny fragments into papier mache models. To report incidents where someone may have been a victim of a scam, contact Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 040506. There's also further information on scams and the damaging effect they can have on the Think Jessica website at www.thinkjessica.com.

* Deal Citizens Advice Bureau: 26 Victoria Road, Deal. website
** Nearest Gateway: 71 Castle Street, Dover. website   (May 2, 2012)

CROOKS HIJACK "ACTION FRAUD" SERVICE

There are reports about calls by crooks claiming to be from Action Fraud. The genuine Action Fraud is the UK’s national fraud reporting centre where consumers can report if they have been scammed or defrauded. The bogus caller has a heavy Asian accent and states that the consumer has been the victim of a scam in which £800 has apparently been taken fraudulently from their bank account. The scammer appears to know which bank the consumer uses. The caller then goes on to say that Action Fraud can obtain the consumer’s money back for them but in order to do this £200 has to be paid via Western Union for the refund. The scammers then ask for a further £300 to be paid.

Kent Trading Standards warn people not to pay these bogus telephone callers. There is no way to trace Western Union payments as they are in effect cash transactions. This is a scam. You will lose your money!

The real Action Fraud are in no way affiliated with these scammers and would never under any circumstances advise a consumer that they can obtain a refund. You can report fraud online using Action Fraud’s reporting service using the link below any time of the day or night; the service enables you to both report a fraud and find help and support. They also provide help and advice over the phone through the Action Fraud contact centre on 0300 123 2040.    (April 24, 2012)

ELLA'S KITCHEN COTTAGE PIE FOOD RECALL

People who have recently bought Ella’s Kitchen Stage 3 Seriously Comforting Cottage Pie with a Pinch of Cinnamon from a Tesco store are being advised to check the label before using it. Packs marked "Best before: February 2013" and "Lot number 2011" could have hardened cinnamon inside the pouch and might present a choking risk. So the product is being recalled as a precaution. Return it to the Tesco store or to FREEPOST, Ella’s Kitchen. Only this batch is affected and no other Ella’s Kitchen products are involved. For more information including how to get in touch with Customer Care at Ella’s Kitchen see www.ellaskitchen.co.uk.  (27 March 2012)

CAUTION NEEDED FOR CASH LOAN OFFERS

Anyone thinking about applying for cash loans on-line is being warned to be very cautious. Kent Trading Standards say they have received reports of people entering their details in loan comparison websites and directly onto loan brokerage websites then finding their details have been passed to other organisations where money has been taken from their accounts without authorisation.

There are also reports where bogus loan companies have accessed people’s details after they have entered them on line and offered guaranteed loans for a large upfront fee. The fee is taken but the loan does not exist. These scam companies are often based abroad and once money is paid over there is little chance of retrieving it. Cold calls from businesses offering "guaranteed" loans over the phone for large administration fees could also be dodgy. The consumer watchdog advises where a business asks for money up front for a loan, it's best to ask them for their details and explain you will do your own research. DO NOT give them your bank details.

FOOD RECALL: MORRISON COOKED TURKEY BREAST

Two batches of Morrison Supermarkets own brand cooked turkey breast are being recalled due to incorrect "use by" date coding. Eating the products could be a risk to health.

The affected products are: Morrisons Cooked Turkey Breast, 160g, marked "use by 26th and 27th April 2012". These packs should have been labelled with "use by" dates of 26 March and 27 March 2012. People who have purchased these packs should return the product to a nearest store for a full refund. Further information is available via the Food Standards Agency’s website www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2012/mar/turkey.    (March 22, 2012)

AVOID "DIGITAL SWITCHOVER" SCAMS

Digital Switchover, the process of turning off the UK’s analogue TV services and replacing them with digital TV, is set to happen locally this June (2012). The four or five channels accessed through an aerial will no longer be available so it's important to have digital TV set up before the switchover date. This can be by connecting a digital box to an old TV set or by purchasing a new TV with an in built receiver for the digital Freeview channels. People who already have a digital box or TV that receives Freeview channels will need to re-tune their box or TV when the digital switchover takes place. There will be lots of local publicity around that time and it's possible to find out more at www.digitaluk.co.uk/home or by calling 08456 505050. People who prefer to receive channels from a satellite (often via a Sky dish) will not need to do anything.

Kent Trading Standards warn that people need to be wary of rogues cashing in on the Switchover. The consumer watchdog advises:
There is no need for a new TV as most old sets can be converted with a digital box;
There is no such thing as a special digital aerial;
No one from the official Digital UK or Switchover Help Scheme will call unexpectedly or without an appointment;
Never let uninvited callers into the house without checking who they are. Keep them waiting outside while you check. If in doubt, refuse to let them in; and
Never agree to work on the spot. Consider if you really want the work and possibly seek alternative better value quotes.    (March 12, 2012)

ON-LINE VITAMIN PILLS "TRIAL" COULD PROVE COSTLY

Kent Trading Standards has received a report of a website, aimed at women, offering vitamin pills for a free trial but charging £2.99 for postage and packaging. Credit card details are taken. For one consumer, the "trial" ended but she was charged £68.76 for vitamin pills that never arrived. She had difficulty contacting the business on the telephone and the website did not have an address to contact.

The Trading Standards watchdog is warning consumers to be wary of any websites offering free trials. They say:
Always make sure you read the small print as you may find that, if you do not cancel at the end of the trial period, a business could continue to take payment from your bank account until you do cancel; and
If you have not dealt with a business before, do your research. Make sure the business has a contact address and telephone number should you need to contact them to cancel an agreement. If they are not based in the UK it is very likely that you may have difficulties resolving a complaint.    (March 12, 2012)

PLUG-IN ENERGY SAVER OFFER COULD BE FRAUD

Kent Trading Standards has issued a warning for people to be wary of telephone or doorstep calls from companies offering plug-in energy-saving devices claiming to reduce costs by 40%. The consumer watchdog says it has yet to see a plug-in product that can do this. Locally, an elderly resident in St Margaret’s Bay is reported to have received a telephone cold call from a company at the beginning of February offering one of these devices. In this case she was duped into giving her credit card details over the phone but did not receive any device nor was money taken from her account.

However, on 1 March she received a telephone call from a man who gave his name as “James Cooper” who said he was from a claims management company. He said that she was entitled to compensation for the mis-selling of the energy device and a cheque for £980. This would be delivered today by a man called “Chris Parker” who was described as 6-foot tall wearing a white shirt and driving a blue fiesta car. She was advised that there was no charge. A few minutes later she received another call from “Accounts” who said that there would be a charge of £150 for the cheque. She was then advised to “go and get the cash from village shop” and “it had to be cash” which was to be given to “Chris Parker” when he delivered the cheque. All the callers had foreign accents.

Kent Trading Standards advise consumers to be wary when receiving unsolicited phone calls from businesses. Take time to consider very carefully about whether the goods or services are really needed and who they are purchasing from. Any offers of compensation where the consumer has not applied for it should be treated with suspicion, as should demands for payment to release money. Anyone who has received a suspicious call, and especially if they are expecting a visit, from someone offering to pay compensation which has not been asked for please contact Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256.    (March 6, 2012)

COMPUTER "SERVICING" AND "REFUND" SCAMS

Kent Trading Standards are again warning consumers to be very wary of anyone telephoning stating they are from Microsoft and they can fix problems with their PC. The caller says that for a fee of about £200-£300 they can solve any issues on the computer (unlikely!). If consumers agree and pay the fee, the person on the phone then takes over the PC and people can see them working their way round the computer. More money may then be asked for. When consumers have double checked their PC or asked a legitimate company to look at it, it has been found that no work of any significance has been completed.

This scam is taking a more sinister turn now with crooks trying variations on this theme. They may say they are from Microsoft and that they could arrange reimbursement of an earlier payment for an unused service. To get the refund they needed a payment of several hundred pounds via Western Union or Ukash vouchers. One consumer paid these fees and to date has still not received any refund and probably never will.

Trading Standards advise people receiving these calls not to get involved in a conversation, say "NO" and put the phone down. Always be cautious of entering any agreement or contract with someone over the phone. Take details and offer to call back. Think about whether you really want or need the service and do some research and price comparisons before parting with any money. Be very wary about anyone who will only accept payment via Western Union or Ukash vouchers. There is no way to trace these payments and they are effectively cash transactions.  (March 1, 2012)

MORE BOGUS REQUESTS FOR BANK DETAILS

A latest spate of e-mails, purporting to be from a bank, say there has been an issue with security on personal computers. Because of this people need to provide personal information (including banking details). The e-mail states if this is not done there could be repercussions with people's accounts.

Kent Trading Standards strongly recommend that any e-mails supposedly from a bank requesting log-in details, passwords or account details should be ignored. The consumer watchdog says: "Do not click on any of the links provided as any personal information gained could later be used to commit identity theft or other crimes. Your bank does not need to know your password and already has your personal details." Anyone who fears they may have already been tricked is advised to contact their bank or building society immediately to make sure no unauthorised payments have been taken.  (March 1, 2012)

"GRANTON SCOTCH WHISKY" ISN'T SCOTCH

Consumer watchdogs Kent Trading Standards have seized a number of bottles of an illegal brand of whisky called "Granton Scotch Whisky", found on sale in Kent. The reverse label states that it is bottled in Italy. The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2008 make it unlawful to apply the term Scotch Whisky to products that have not been produced in Scotland. Consumers are advised not to drink the whisky because it could be harmful. Tests are currently being conducted on the product. "Granton Whisky" has been found on sale in small independent retailers. It may be cheap, but people have got to ask if it is a price worth paying if their health could be at stake. If people spot any of this product on sale, they are asked to contact Kent Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256.  (February 23, 2012)

FOOD RECALL FOR YEAST SPREAD

People who have bought granoVita UK Limited Mushroom Pateole Yeast Spread with a "best before" date of 21.04.12 and ""lot number" of L157237 are being warned that it was mislabelled as "gluten free". In fact, the product contains gluten above the level permitted for a gluten free food. The company is withdrawing all affected stock and customers with an intolerance to gluten are advised not to eat the product. For more details see: www.granovita.co.uk and also the Food Standards Agency website. No other granoVita UK Limited products are known to be affected.  (February 17, 2012)

THIS SURVEY IS GENUINE

Although some surveys and requests for information can be scams and a prelude to fraud, people who receive a letter from the Home Office asking them to take part in the "2011/2012 British Crime Survey" are being assured it is genuine. Enclosed with the request is a book of first class stamps - sent as a gesture of appreciation as the survey relies solely on people’s voluntary co-operation. Agreement to take part results in a representative from the Home Office arranging a home visit to complete the survey.

The Home Office has commissioned an independent research organisation called TNS-BMRB to carry out the survey which records people’s thoughts on crime, anti-social behaviour, the police and courts. Possible participants are picked randomly from the Royal Mail’s list of addresses. All information given is treated in strictest confidence. More information on the British Crime Survey (BCS) can be found by contacting the BSC Information Line on 0800 051 0882 or on the Home Office website.  (February 15, 2012)

CENSUS E-MAIL IS A DANGEROUS SCAM

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) is warning consumers about an e-mail allegedly from National Statistician Jill Matheson entitled "Population Census: A Message to Everyone - Act Now". The e-mail demands individuals provide further personal information, supposedly for the census and threatens fines for non-compliance. This is a scam and it has no connection with the national statistician or ONS. The ONS believes the message may download malware on to your PC if you click on a link in the e-mail and this could put financial/personal information at risk. The ONS says collection of census data was completed last year and it will not be making any further requests relating to the 2011 Census. Anyone receiving this, or similar e-mails, is advised to delete them, not open any links and certainly not provide any information.   (February 15, 2012)

LIVERPOOL "REFUND" E-MAIL IS A FRAUD

Kent Trading Standards has received a report from a Kent resident who has received an e-mail purporting to be from Littlewoods stating that they are entitled to a refund to their account due to incorrect charges made by the company. The e-mail instructs the consumer to click on a ‘LOGON’ icon in order to correct errors with their account so that their refund can be provided. Littlewoods have confirmed that e-mails such as this which claim that your account has been suspended or has expired are very unlikely to have been sent by them. Clicking on the links can result in personal information being obtained fraudulently.

Known as phishing e-mails, they use genuine company logos and addresses to look and feel like they have come from a genuine company. The links in these e-mails usually open a fake login page, which can be identical to the real one. If you log in, your account details are stolen and may be used to access your account and commit fraud. The Kent consumer watchdog advises being wary of unexpected e-mails requiring you to provide log in details, passwords or personal information such as bank details and to ignore them and not click on any of the links. It is, of course, possible to contact the genuine organisation to check if they really have e-mailed you. Anyone who fears they may have been caught already should call the genuine company to ensure that there is no unauthorised activity on their account.   (February 7, 2012)

PHONE OFFERS FOR HEALTH PRODUCTS

Kent Trading Standards have had reports of Kent residents being contacted by telephone with the caller stating they are doing a "wellness survey" or similar. The caller gives the impression they are associated with their local GP’s surgery and asks for identification. Consumers are encouraged to talk about any illnesses they are suffering and then are recommended to take certain products such as pomegranate extract or rosehip. Payment is taken by debit or credit card over the telephone.

In several cases people have agreed to try the product for one or two months but when the product is delivered they find they have been sent 6 months supply, and 6 months payment has been taken at the time of the initial call. When they tried to cancel the order, they have been contacted later by the salesman who became aggressive. Trading Standards are investigating, but advise consumers to be wary of anyone cold calling and never to give personal details over the phone.   (February 1, 2012)

CHECK WHO'S OFFERING TO SERVICE A KIRBY CLEANER

Owners of Kirby vacuum cleaners need to be wary of telephone calls from a business suggesting that their machine is due to be serviced. Kent Trading Standards say it appears that the trader has acquired their details from legitimate authorised Kirby dealers who have unfortunately gone out of business. The company telephones the resident to book an appointment to call. However it is reported that when the service person arrives it is very clear that the purpose of the visit is to sell a new vacuum cleaner by misleading the resident in to believing that their current cleaner is beyond repair. Trading Standards advise consumers to be very wary of unsolicited calls and to always verify who the caller is. They say there is no need to feel pressured in to agreeing to any type of purchase and a trader must leave your property if asked to.   (January 30, 2012)

PRODUCT RECALL: DOVES GLUTEN FREE BUCKWHEAT FLOUR

Doves Farm Foods Limited has issued a product withdrawal for one batch of its Gluten Free Buckwheat Flour 1kg. The affected product has a best before date of 12.10.12 and batch code 2011. Low levels of gluten have been found in this batch of buckwheat flour which is just above the limits for foods labelled gluten-free. Therefore, it is a potential health risk for individuals who are intolerant to gluten. Customers with an allergy or intolerance to gluten are advised not to eat the product. For further details please contact Doves Farm Foods or return the product direct to Freepost RG2974 Hungerford Berkshire RG17 0RF. No other Doves Farm Foods Limited products are known to be affected.   (January 30, 2012)

PHONY ON-LINE CAR INSURANCE

Drivers who have used an on-line motor insurance trader "Aston Midshires Insurance", based in Leicestershire, need to check that their car insurance is correct and valid. Kent Trading Standards say the trader has been targeting young and high-risk drivers across the country. However, it is operating a scam and the insurance policies do not exist and offer no protection.

People who have purchased these policies are, in fact, uninsured and are advised not to drive until they have arranged appropriate legal insurance cover. Driving without appropriate insurance is a criminal offence and may lead to being stopped by the Police. To check if a car is properly insured, there's a free online service at www.askmid.com.

Trading Standards suggest that, when shopping for car insurance, check that the insurer is authorised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and obtain a few quotes to help decide which offer to accept. A valid insurance policy provides three documents: the Certificate (stating the details of the vehicle and drivers insured); the Policy (the full terms and conditions); and the Schedule (the specific details of a policy, such as any excesses and no-claims discounts). It is important to check these documents to ensure that all the details are correct. Consumers who believe they may have purchased an invalid insurance policy should contact Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256 for further advice.   (January 20, 2012)

BEWARE OF "STORM DAMAGE" COWBOYS

KCC’s Trading Standards Officers are warning householders not to let stormy weather become a rogue trader’s Christmas bonus! With stormy, cold weather and strong winds forecast, rogue traders could latch on to this and "cold call" on home owners to suggest that repairs are necessary when they are not, or to charge extortionate sums for minor repairs. Previous examples of this type of con have included roof repairs and making trees safe. They may say the cost can be claimed back through the home insurance.

Trading Standards say "don't be fooled". If your property is damaged by the weather you should contact your insurance company FIRST and follow their advice. For work in or on a property it is always best to get at least a couple of quotes from traders. There's a list of reputable traders on the "Buy With Confidence" good trader scheme. For details call Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256 or see www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk.   (December 16, 2011)

FRAUDULENT NUISANCE PHONE CALLS SERVICE

The public is being alerted to a very devious organised scam. After receiving numerous nuisance telephone calls a householder welcomed a call from a company called “Stop Unwanted Calls” offering a service that could stop this problem. The consumer paid £59.99 over the phone and found the number of calls reduced. It was later discovered that this amount was never actually debited from the consumer’s account.

Some months later a call was received from someone claiming to be a solicitor’s office. He said court proceedings were underway against the consumer as the payment to Stop Unwanted Calls had not been received. To stop proceedings the consumer would need to pay £1,672 using UKASH vouchers.

The caller was extremely convincing, stating that they “wouldn't have a leg to stand on”. The consumer was frightened so paid the money as requested at a local UKASH outlet. Several months later a further call was received, again purporting to be from a solicitor’s office stating that the UKASH payments had not been received and unless £620 was paid immediately court proceedings would again commence. Again the consumer paid the money as requested at a local UKASH outlet.

Kent Trading Standards are warning consumers to be very wary of anyone cold calling. They advise: if in any doubt at all, end the call. It's your home, your phone and you are in control - so hang up. Using UKASH is similar to paying cash and offers very little protection if things go wrong. More information can be found by visiting their website www.ukash.com. Ofcom offer advice on how to avoid silent and nuisance calls on their website at: http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/tell-us/telecoms/privacy/.   (December 12, 2011)

COSTLY "COMMUNAL DRAIN WORKS" SCAM

The public is being warned about a serious scam that occured in Tonbridge on Tuesday 22 November with similar incidents reported in other areas. A “Mr Newman” visited a resident’s home claiming to be a neighbour living with his disabled aunt at a property situated at the back of their garden. Newman stated that there was a problem with his drains so had arranged for a trader to fix the problem and that as he shared a communal drain with the resident the trader would be in contact shortly.

The resident then received a telephone call from the “trader” requesting a substantial deposit to carry out the work needed. It required specialist machinery and would be refunded once the work was completed. When the resident resisted, the trader became very agitated and passed the call on to someone “higher up” to convince them this was genuine. The resident was asked to make a payment by bank transfer which was never refunded.

In this instance the resident was conned out of £10,000. The conmen then tried to persuade the resident to pay a further £8,000. This was followed by a phone call from a male purporting to be from Trading Standards. This impersonator advised the resident to pay the money in order for him to “catch the fraudsters”.

Kent Trading Standards say they would never make contact with anyone in this manner and advise that if anyone receives such a visit or telephone calls not to pay any money or agree to any work. Instead, report any suspicious activity to the Police on the non-emergency telephone number 101 or Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256.   (December 9, 2011)

Trading Standards Institute is urging consumers to be aware of rogue telephone cold callers offering energy saving devices after trading standards up and down the country reported hundreds of complaints. The rogue callers claim to be from their energy supplier or working in partnership with them and offer a plug-in device which they say can save 40 per cent off energy bills. Trading standards have had a number of the items tested. They not only failed to satisfy electrical safety standards but do not deliver any tangible energy savings.

Ron Gainsford from the Trading Standards Institute said: "Consumers are warned not to use the product as they pose a risk of fire and electrocution and a safety recall has been issued for the items traced so far." He said that elderly people seemed to have been deliberately targeted. The fraudsters have been duping consumers across the country into paying £99 for the energy saving device. The caller often appears to be very credible by already knowing the consumers’ details, their energy supplier and sometimes some or all of the digits of their credit/debit card.

So far four different suppliers have been named: 1 Stop Marketing Solutions, ITC Development Corp, Power Saver and Athico Ltd ... but the fraudsters could be operating under other names too. Some of these names are very similar to genuine companies – for example Power Saver Ltd, based in Tonbridge, Kent is not involved in this fraud.

If consumers have responded to one of these cold calls they should report the matter to Action Fraud on www.actionfraud.org.uk ( 0300 123 2040) or Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06. They should also contact their bank to stop their debit/ credit card. If a device has been received they should not use it and dispose of it carefully.   (December 6, 2011)

RECALL ON SOME FELKO NOVELTY SWEETS

Confectionery company Creme d’Or Ltd have issued a recall of certain batches of Felko brand "Christmas Figures with Candy"and "Gumball Machine with Candy"due to the possible risk of a choking hazard, especially for children under 3 years. The products affected are:

• Felko Christmas Figures with Candy - Best before: 10/01/2013 Batch codes: 34557 and 38675
• Felko Gumball Machine with Candy - Best before: 15/11/2012 Batch codes: 29557 and 34256

No other Creme d’Or Ltd products are known to be affected. Anyone with the products mentioned above, is advised not to consume them and return them to the store where purchased.   (December 6, 2011)

CHEAP "DROP VODKA" IS A HEALTH RISK

Kent Trading Standards and the Food Standards Agency are warning consumers not to drink an illegal brand of vodka called "Drop Vodka", which has been found on sale in some shops across the country. This brand is not registered by any company in the UK and could be harmful. Tests carried out by local authorities have identified the presence of Propan-2-ol and methanol in some of the vodka as well as other substances that could harm people’s health. Other tests have found that the product does not contain enough alcohol to be called vodka. Legally, vodka should contain no less than 37.5% alcohol but ‘Drop Vodka’ has levels of 28.6% alcohol.

"Drop Vodka" has been found on sale in small independent retailers, corner shops and petrol stations. There is also concern that pubs and clubs may have been offered the product. It may be cheap, but people have got to ask if it is a price worth paying if their health could be at stake. If consumers discover any "Drop Vodka" on sale, they are asked to contact Kent Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256.   (November 28, 2011)

DOUBTS OVER "RUTEX LTD" LEAFLETS

Leaflets asking for donations of unwanted clothing and other articles and bearing the name of "Rutex Ltd" are being put through letterboxes in the Kent area. However, the company Rutex Ltd was dissolved in 2010. It is therefore uncertain who is distributing these leaflets and what will happen to any donations.

To ensure your unwanted items go to legitimate concerns, the following advice could help:

• Read any information given on the leaflet or collection bag carefully.
• If a company name or number is given, the status of that company can be checked on the Companies Housewebsite at www.companieshouse.gov.uk .
• If any charity is named contact them and ask if the collection is legitimate.
• If a charity number is given, check this with the Charity Commission ( 0845 300 0218 or go to www.charitycommission.gov.uk).

If in doubt, report the details to Kent Trading Standards, via Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256.   (November 28, 2011)

BOGUS BANK CARD "REPLACEMENT" CALLS

Some elderly Ashford residents have received telephone calls from a man purporting to be from NatWest bank. He's not - and his purpose is to gain access to people's bank accounts. The bogus caller states that residents’ bank cards needs replacing. To do this he needs their PIN number and that a representative of the bank will call in person to collect the cards later. Kent Trading Standards say that one such telephone call was followed up by a visit from the crook and the victim handed over bank cards. The resident later became suspicious and contacted the bank to "stop" his cards.

Although the reported offences were in Ashford this type of criminal often moves on to other areas. Kent Trading Standards advise consumers to never disclose any personal bank information to anyone by telephone, letter, e-mail, text or at the door. Banks never contact customers to ask for personal information, either over the 'phone or by a visit. If you receive a suspicious call contact Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256. If the caller arrives at the door, don't let them in and call Kent Police on their new non-emergency number of 101.   (November 25, 2011)

BEWARE OF EXPENSIVE "LIFELINE" ALARMS

Kent Trading Standards are advising people to be wary of approaches from companies offering expensive "lifeline" alarm systems that plug into the telephone line. Users are provided with pendants or buttons that can be pressed to activate an alarm and alert a control centre. An operator immediately responds through the system to find out what the difficulty or problem is. Then, if necessary, they arrange for help from a list of named contacts or can call the doctor or an ambulance. Whilst these systems can provide a vital service to elderly, disabled and vulnerable people, there are concerns that some Kent residents have been pressurised into paying thousands of pounds for systems which may be available for just a few pounds a week from a local Council provider.

If considering installing a lifeline system it is best to get at least a couple of quotes.
The following providers may be of interest:

• North and West Kent Lifeline – 01732 849403
• Ashford Lifeline – 01233 642095
• Canterbury Lifeline – 01227 862108
• Dover and Deal Lifeline – 01304 872070
• Shepway Lifeline – 01303 242971

TAX REFUND E-MAIL SCAM

Kent Trading Standards have received reports from consumers who have received an e-mail claiming to be from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) advising that the recipient is entitled to a tax rebate. Some of the text is shown below. If you receive the e-mail do not respond.

A tax refund of 980.00 GBP. (Still Pending) Due to invalid account record we were unable to credit your account. Please submit a verified tax refund request.
A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.
Click the "Refund Me Now" link below and follow the on screen step in order to have us process your request.
Refund Me Now Note: For security reasons, we will record your ip-address, the date and time, Deliberate wrong inputs are criminally pursued and indicated.
Best Regards,
HM Revenue & Customs

This is a scam! HMRC has not sent any such e-mail and only ever contacts customers who are due a tax refund in writing, by post. They currently do not use telephone calls, e-mails or external companies in these circumstances. If anyone receives an e-mail claiming to be from HMRC, they ask that you foward it to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk before deleting it permanently.

If you feel that you may have been a victim of this, or any other scam please contact Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256 for advice.     (November 3, 2011)

FIREWORKS: STAY SAFE AND LEGAL

Whilst fireworks often play a big part in celebrations like Bonfire Night, Diwali and Chinese New Year, it's important to recognise they are explosives and burn at such high temperatures they need careful handling and storage. Kent Trading Standards advise not to buy fireworks from anywhere you’re not sure about, like a van or a temporary, unlicensed market stall. Only fireworks marked BS 7114 or with a CE mark meet British or European safety standards.

People under 18 years of age can’t legally buy fireworks or have possession of fireworks in public places. Get caught and the Police can give an on-the-spot fine of £80.
Fireworks can be let off: until midnight on Bonfire Night 5 November and until 1am on New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year; but not in the street or any other public place.
Fireworks can only be bought: between 15 October and 10 November, between 26 December and 31 December and three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year. For the rest of the year, only certain specialist licensed shops are allowed to sell fireworks.

Complaints about noise should be reported to the Environmental Health Office of the local District Council. To report other concerns call Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256. or visit www.direct.gov.uk.     (October 29, 2011)

There is a product recall of Aunt Bessie's Scrumptious Bramley Apple Crumble 500g. One batch of the crumble may have become contaminated with small pieces of plastic on the top of the product. The affected batch is marked: Batch code L1293 with a Best before date January 2013. The affected batch was only sold in Farmfoods stores after 21 October 2011. Notices are being displayed explaining to customers the reason for the recall and the actions they can take if they have bought the product. No other Aunt Bessie's Ltd products are known to be affected. Customers who have purchased the product mentioned above are advised not to consume it and call a customer helpline on 01482 223223 for a refund.     (October 29, 2011)

HIGH STREET "WINNING LOTTERY TICKET" IS A SCAM

Kent Neighbourhood Watch has issued a warning about a scam where a man approaches a member of the public in the street, asking directions for an immigration solicitor’s office. He starts a conversation and says he has a winning lottery ticket that he can’t cash due to his illegal status and not having a bank account. A second man then joins them and offers to check the ticket. The second man goes off and returns with a document claiming the ticket is worth half a million pounds. The first man asks if both the member of the public and second man would buy into helping him cash the ticket and asks for £5,000. The member of the public left and returned with several thousand pounds. He and the second man handed over money to the first man.

It's agreed they should all go by car to the Lottery head office and cash the ticket paying the money into the member of the public’s account. As they set off towards the car, the first man appears to become ill and the second man offers to help him to a chemist to get some pills. This is the last the consumer sees of his money and both men. This scam has happened in the UK and is well known in the United States. Anyone approached in a similar way is asked to contact Kent Police on 01622 690690.     (October 24, 2011)

TIMESHARE AND HOLIDAY CLUB "RE-SELLING" SCAM

The Timeshare Association (TATOC) has received a significant number of complaints about companies who are cold calling consumers offering to sell their timeshare or holiday clubs for them. It's suggested that they can obtain an unexpected or unrealistic price and could even have a buyer waiting. The owners are being asked to pay upfront fees for deposits, administration fees, insurance or survey charges. They then hear nothing more from the scammers - no sales, no refunds. Others are duped into parting with cash upfront, often hundreds or even thousands of pounds, only to find that the supposed buyer has dropped out of the deal.

TATOC strongly recommends that consumers only deal with resale companies who are affiliated to them and/or are members of the Resort Development Organisation (RDO). For more information contact the TATOC Consumer Helpline on 0845 230 2430 or visit their website www.tatoc.co.uk.     (October 24, 2011)

CHECK THE "WATER METER" CALLER IS GENUINE

Southern Water's five-year programme to install half a million water meters in homes across Kent might provide an opportunity to bogus callers. So the water company is reminding customers to check callers claiming to be from them. Meters are currently being installed in the Swale area, with work in Thanet expected to start in the second half of 2013 and Sandwich, Deal and surrounding villages in 2014 and 2015.

In most cases, Southern Water staff or contractors will not need to enter people’s homes. However, on some occasions this may be necessary and in these situations an appointment would be made in advance. Most new meters are installed in the ground just outside the property. Staff working on the Southern Water metering programme are easily identifiable. They wear uniforms and drive vehicles carrying the Southern Water name and logo. If in any doubt when someone calls claiming to be from the Southern Water metering team, ask for their identification card. This can be checked by calling the Southern Water Metering Customer Call Centre on 0333 2003 012.     (October 24, 2011)

MOBILE HOME OWNERS TARGETED

Kent Trading Standards has been made aware of a trader targeting mobile home owners, by cold-calling and offering what is suspected to be unnecessary work carried out for large sums of money. An incident reported in Kent near Sittingbourne follows another recent case elsewhere in the south east. It indicates that the trader is moving around the region. As always, the advice is to be wary when dealing with traders at the door.     (October 24, 2011)

MORPHY RICHARDS ELECTRIC BLANKET RECALL

Morphy Richards has issued a product recall notice on its Double Over Electric Blanket with the model number 75311 (single control model only). This model of over-blanket was sold in the UK and Ireland through national and independent retailers and on Morphy Richards’ website between October 2008 and January 2010. The blanket can develop a fault that has the potential to cause it to overheat and catch fire. As a precautionary measure, customers are asked to stop using it immediately.

DOLMIO PASTAVITA RECALL

Some products in the Dolmio Pastavita range by Mars Foods UK Ltd are being recalled due to the possibility of insufficient heat treatment during manufacture. The affected products are:
Dolmio PastaVita Bolognese - 300g - Best before dates: 24/09/12 and 25/09/12
Dolmio PastaVita Tomato & Basil - 300g - Best before date: 25/09/12
Dolmio PastaVita Sweet Pepper - 300g - Best before date: 25/09/12
Dolmio PastaVita Roasted Garlic & Tomato - 300g - Best before date: 25/09/12.

From 1 October 2011 sales of tobacco from vending machines will be banned. This means it will be illegal to sell cigarettes or any other form of tobacco to anyone from an automated vending machine. It will also be against the law for such machines to display advertisements or tobacco promotion. The ban is part of the Government’s commitment to reducing smoking and also takes account of the fact that 11% of 11-15 year olds who regularly smoke say they buy their cigarettes from vending machines. Business owners are responsible for ensuring no tobacco sales are made from vending machines on their premises otherwise they face a potential fine of up to £2,500. There's more information on the Business Link website.

Kent Trading Standards monitor sales of tobacco in terms of young people accessing them unlawfully. People who wish to report any breaches of the new regulations can contact Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256.     (September 29, 2011)

BARRINGTON GROUP NOT COVERED BY UK SAFEGUARDS

A Kent resident has received a call from the Barrington Group, a financial firm based in New York, offering to buy shares at grossly inflated prices. The sellers are asked to sign a variety of paperwork in addition to paying "a refundable bond" of several thousand pounds, as a gesture of good will. The Barrington Group is not authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to carry out regulated activity in the UK. This includes dealing and arranging deals in investments, including stocks and shares.

Dealing with an unauthorised company means that the Financial Services Ombudsmen Service and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme are not available to you. You can find out if a company or individual are authorised by visiting the Financial Services Authority (FSA) register check service at http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/register/.     (September 29, 2011)

Misleading “invoices” are in circulation again! Businesses believe they've got a demand for payment for advertising. However, contained in the small print at the bottom of the document it explains that it is actually an invitation to advertise their business on a website. Kent Trading Standards are currently investigating the sources of these invoices and recommend companies check the small print and validity of any invoice before payment is made.     (September 29, 2011)

IGNORING BANK LETTERS CAN LEAD TO ID THEFT

Kent Trading Standards has received a report of a banking scam involving ID fraud. In this case a woman discovered that a Halifax bank account had been set up in her name without her knowledge. Criminals had used these bank account details to set up five mobile phone accounts! She later found out her neighbour had been similarly targeted. They had received a letter from the Halifax but ignored it because they didn’t have a Halifax account. The woman encouraged her neighbour to investigate and they found that they too had an account opened in their name and various credit contracts set up.

LATEST SCAMS

• Bogus callers claiming to be from The Ministry of Justice. Consumers are informed that they are owed money in refunded bank charges and asked for their personal details. The Ministry of Justice NEVER contacts consumers and asks for personal details in this way.
• Claims that you have won a prize but you have to phone a premium rate phone number. Although you may receive a prize the cost of the telephone call to claim it may be very high and more than the value of the prize. Also be wary of ‘scratch cards’ included in some newspapers and magazines.
• Unsolicited telephone calls claiming to rid your computer of viruses. These rogues often claim they are calling from Microsoft and that they can access your computer to get rid of viruses. Microsoft say they never make unsolicited phone calls to fix your computer. For more information see: www.microsoft.com/en-gb/security/online-privacy/msname.aspx.  

 (September 21, 2011)

BOGUS COMMUNITY PUBLICATIONS ALERT

DOMAIN NAME SCAM

COUNCIL TAX REBANDING OFFERS

Householders are being warned about a company sending mail shots that suggest they could be paying too much council tax as their property has been banded too high. The company go on to offer a "no win – no fee" service but if successful will take a fee of 25%. Kent Trading Standards are advising people to be wary of this type of practice. The consumer watchdog says if the offer sounds too good to be true, it usually is and that it's worth knowing:

• Council tax bandings are based on property valuations at 1 April 1991.
• Only the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) can change the banding of a property not your local council tax department.
• By law the VOA can only accept a ‘valid’ proposal to alter the council tax valuation list in a limited number of circumstances.
• If a consumer feels they may have adequate reason to believe that their property has been banded incorrectly then they should contact the local VOA for advice.
• Checking your council tax banding does not cost anything. VOA staff are available to guide you through the process, so you do not have to employ an estate agent, solicitor, surveyor or any other person to assist you unless you choose to do so.
• Consumers should also be aware that if a banding is disputed there is the risk that the banding may actually go up rather than go down, resulting in a higher amount of council tax payments.

For further advice and local contacts, call the VOA on 0845 602 1507 or see their website www.voa.gov.uk.     (September 15, 2011)

BOTULISM SCARE FOR FRENCH "LA RUCHE" PASTES

The Food Standards Agency is warning people not to consume certain branded foods that have been linked to an outbreak of botulism in France. Botulism is a rare but serious illness that causes muscle weakness and breathing problems, and can be fatal. The pastes and spreads affected are not distributed in the UK but may have been bought in France or via the Internet. They are produced by a company called La Ruche, based in Cavaillon, France, and are branded as: Les Délices de Marie Claire, Terre de Mistral and Les Secrets d'Anaïs.

The pastes or spreads are made with olives, basil, sun-dried tomatoes, bell-peppers, anchovies, tuna, chickpeas, artichokes and aubergines. They have been on sale in shops and markets particularly in the Provence, Cote D’Azur region since 31 May this year with a best before date of 16 December 2012 and lot number 112005. These products have been withdrawn from sale in France. If you have brought these products back from France or bought them online you should not eat them but should dispose of them immediately. If you have already eaten any of these products and feel unwell, it's important that you seek medical attention straight away, and tell your doctor that you've eaten food from La Ruche. For details, see: http://food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2011/sep/botulism.     (September 14, 2011)

BOGUS BANK CALLS

People are being alerted to two new scams involving bogus calls from crooks pretending to be from their bank. Kent Trading Standards say they've heard about a disturbing twist to the "bank-details"scam where e-mails or telephone calls have been used to gain people’s bank details and personal identification numbers (PINs). Now scammers - purporting to be bank staff and having previously obtained a person’s PIN by telephone - will arrange a visit to collect the person’s "old" bank card.

The second scam involves repeated unsolicited automated telephone calls claiming to be from NatWest bank and Nationwide building society. The telephone calls are received from 0845 3312530. The automated message states the consumer’s name and claims that the caller has important information about their NatWest/Nationwide credit card account. The consumer is then asked to confirm their date of birth. They are then told that their account is in arrears and that a sum of £25 must be paid immediately to avoid fines being incurred. The consumer is told to have their debit card to hand and asked if they would like to pay this amount or an alternative amount. Both NatWest and Nationwide confirm that the telephone number is not theirs and they have not made these calls.

STEER CLEAR OF SCAM LOAN COMPANIES

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is warning people to steer clear of scam loan companies who take upfront fees but fail to provide credit or offer unsuitable credit alternatives. The OFT say there's been a 50% year-on-year rise since 2009 in complaints about loan scams, particularly credit applications which involve the consumer "wiring" or sending upfront fees through money transfer companies. People should be vigilant when dealing with or taking calls from loan companies that want upfront fees and who are not interested in consumers' credit history.

The OFT advises:

Do be very careful when dealing with loan companies that charge upfront fees;
Do be cautious if a loan company cold-calls you;
Do some research about the business offering the loan - look for proper phone numbers and physical addresses and ask for information in writing;
Do check that the company has a credit licence on the Consumer Credit Register at www.oft.gov.uk/ConsumerCreditRegister;
Don't believe adverts which indicate a loan is "guaranteed"; 
Don't give out your card details "for security reasons" as the company may then debit your bank account without you knowing;
Don't wire money to loan companies using money transfer services when applying for loans
Don't go ahead with a loan if a company approves it and then demands a fee before you get the money.

David Fisher, OFT Director of the Consumer Credit Group said:
"We have seen an increase in complaints about companies who are not interested in the applicant's credit history, that ask for payment of fees upfront and then disappear with the money. We advise people to check out the company carefully before agreeing to anything, including asking for a landline number, a physical address and doing a search about the company online, as well as checking that they have a valid credit licence. If consumers think they have been approached or tricked by an advance-fee loan scam, they should report it to Consumer Direct."

For advice on loan scams or any other consumer issues call Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/consumer. Free, confidential debt advice services are available for those facing financial difficulties through their local Citizens Advice Bureau by visiting www.citizensadvice.co.uk.    (4 September, 2011)

FREE SERVICE TO ALERT FOOD ALLERGY SUFFERERS

People who have food allergies might want to sign up for the Food Standard Agency's text alert service.  Food law recognises 14 food allergens - cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, molluscs, eggs, fish, peanuts, nuts, soybeans, milk, celery, mustard, sesame, lupin and sulphur dioxide. Food that is pre-packed must declare on the label any ingredients that are in this list or are derived from them.  Occasionally foods are found to contain allergens that are not declared on the food label. By signing up to the free Allergy Alert service you can learn about any latest products notified to the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Foods sold loose or packed and sold direct to the customer by the manufacturer are not required to declare allergens in their labelling. Similarly, caterers are not required to indicate allergens. In these cases you should ask the seller direct if you need to know if a food or dish contains a particular allergen.

To sign up to the free Allergy Alert SMS service, simply send the text message 'START ALLERGY' to 62372. Texting 'STOP ALLERGY' unsubscribes you. The initial text will be charged at your network provider's rate. The FSA uses a third party to provide its SMS message service. Phone numbers will only be used for the purpose of sending the text messages that users have opted for. Numbers are stored on a secure database until such time as a user chooses to unsubscribe from receiving the text messages. Texts to subscribe and unsubscribe will be charged at your network provider's rate; messages you receive from the FSA are free.    (30 August, 2011)

"GOOD CITIZEN SCHEME" DOESN'T EXIST!

A Dover resident has received a telephone call from "a foreign sounding man" claiming to be from a government department. The caller advised that as the resident paid their Council Tax and did not have a criminal record they were entitled to a reward of £5,000 to £7,000 through a new "Good Citizen Scheme". In order to release the money they needed to pay £299 via PayPoint and suggested the nearest PayPoint outlet was the Co Op store in River, Dover.

"BANK CHARGE REFUND" CALL IS ANOTHER SCAM

A phone call to a householder from someone claiming to be from the Office of Fair Trading is almost certainly a scam. The caller had an Indian accent and said that the consumer was due to receive a cheque for over £4,000 for a refund of bank charges. The caller went on to request the consumer’s bank details and said that the money would be released once they had checked passport and bank details. Kent Trading Standards warn consumers never to give personal details or bank details to unknown individuals over the phone. The Office of Fair Trading and other government departments will never contact people by phone requesting this information. Call Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256 or go to www.consumerdirect.gov.uk for more advice on scams and consumer rights.    (8 July, 2011)

HANG UP ON "MESSAGE FOR PETER BARNSLEY" CALLS

Kent Trading Standards have received reports from consumers who have received an automated telephone call claiming to be from Kent County Council. The recorded voice states that they have an urgent and personal message for a "Mr Peter Barnsley". It then asks the consumer to choose an option:

• Press 1 if you are the person named,
• Press 2 if you are not the person but know who it is or,
• Press 3 if you are not the person and do not know who it is.

By choosing option 3 the consumer is told their contact details will be removed from their list within 24 hours. This call is not from Kent County Council, it is a scam. Kent Trading Standards advises people to be very wary of unsolicited calls that ask you to pick an option as some can result in charges for the call, possibly at premium rate. If in any doubt end the call by hanging up.

The Telephone Preference Service offers a free service to help reduce the number of unsolicited telephone calls. To register your telephone number call 0845 070 0707 or visit www.tpsonline.org.uk.    (8 July, 2011)

ANOTHER DODGY LOAN OFFER!

The public is being warned about a business phoning consumers claiming that a loan has been approved for them and the money is waiting to be sent to their account. No paperwork or written agreement has to be signed but people are asked to confirm details of name, address and date of birth. The caller says how much the total cost of the loan is and what the monthly payments will be but before the money can be released a first payment has to be sent via UKASH. Following payment the loan amount "will be released in the following three to four hours". Kent Trading Standards has information which suggests that this is a "scam". The website is registered to an address in India and the callers have Indian accents. It is unlikely that any money will be received and the scammers may go on to demand more payments or even a cancellation fee.

Trading Standards say there are important safeguards for people seeking loans from bona fide companies so they have full written details in advance of deciding to go ahead. Also UKASH is similar to paying cash and there is no protection if the individual given a UKASH pin code refuses or ignores requests to give money back. Anyone struggling to pay off a debt can get advice from the agencies listed in other messages below...    (12 June 2011)

VACUUM CLEANER SERVICE OFFERS COULD PROVE COSTLY

Kent Trading Standards has received a report of a business phoning consumers and claiming they are "working with Dyson" when they are not. The caller offers to service vacuum cleaners in the home but when the engineer finishes the service he attempts to sell the householder parts which are not required and could possibly void the valid warranty with Dyson. Another business is offering to check Dyson products for a one-off annual fee of £15. Once the check has been completed they claim they have repaired the machine and demand a payment of £100 which they say includes a one-year warranty.

Kent Trading Standards are warning consumers to be wary about unsolicited calls from any business claiming to be working with or in association with well known branded companies. To buy an extended warranty for a vacuum or other appliance it's better to contact the manufacturer to find out what they can offer. Check the terms and conditions of the warranty; it may cover the cost of replacement parts but not labour or other hidden costs. Alternatively, some home insurance companies may provide additional cover for a cost but, again, ask them what you are getting for your money.  (12 June 2011)

EUROPEAN HEALTH CARD IS FREE

Kent Trading Standards has received reports of businesses advertising the European Health Insurance Card or EHIC (formally known as the E111) for a fee of £9.99 to £19.99. These businesses are not affiliated with the NHS or any other government body. The EHIC allows you to access state-provided healthcare in all European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland at a reduced cost or sometimes free of charge.

LOANS SCAM

Kent Trading Standards have become aware of a scam affecting consumers who apply on the internet for loans. Applicants have been contacted by persons claiming to be able to arrange a loan and requesting an initial fee. This is paid, but the applicants are then asked for further sums of money as taxes, insurance, etc. The money is paid via moneygram or Western Union and it subsequently transpires that the money has been sent overseas. Trading Standards advise consumers to be extremely wary of such offers and to consider whether alternatives are preferable. Where a fee has been paid, consumers are entitled by law to receive full details of any terms and conditions including their right to cancel. This allows consumers to request a full refund within 14 days of the fee being paid. Additionally, a consumer may within six months of that date, and for any reason, decide not to continue with the application and obtain a full refund minus £5 which the trader is entitled to keep.

For more reliable sources of advice and loans, scroll down to the "MORE ON "DEBT SETTLEMENT" OFFERS" item below.   (26 May 2011)

BOGUS CALL FROM "LIBRARY"

Kent Libraries and Archives have drawn attention to an incident where a resident was telephoned by someone claiming to from the local library and asking for his home address. The resident became suspicious and ended the call. Although the reason for the call isn't clear, it seems unlikely to be innocent. Kent Libraries say that they do not call Library users requesting personal information. They only ask for people to confirm personal information when they contact the Library service to request or change their PIN number (so as to confirm they are genuine) and do not ask for a full address.    (26 May 2011)

PAYMENT PROTECTION INSURANCE CLAIMS

Thousands of people have already received compensation because they were mis-sold payment protection insurance policies (PPI). These are supposed to repay people's loans if they are unable to make their repayments due to loss of employment or illness. Examples of mis-selling include:

• Not being informed the insurance was optional;
• Policy exclusions not being explained properly (i.e. not being covered as the applicant was self employed or unemployed);
• Being led to believe that the application would be declined if the applicant did not take PPI;
• Policy being unsuitable as the consumer had a pre-existing medical condition or was over the maximum age specified in the policy; or
• It was not explained that the policy premium would be paid upfront as a single premium and would be added to your debt and attract interest.

The banks challenged the Financial Services Authority (FSA) over guidelines it published which said banks should contact all past PPI customers and invite them to complain if they thought they had been mis-sold PPI. The High Court ruled in April 2011 that they agreed with FSA’s guidelines. On 9 May 2011 the British Bankers Association confirmed it will not be appealing the High Court ruling.

Many claims had been put "on hold" pending the ruling. This now means that these claims must be processed and responses should be received shortly. In addition, banks are required to re-examine the way their own PPI policies were sold and if they find cases of mis-selling, they should contact the consumers and inform them they are entitled to compensation. The advice is not to wait for a call if you believe you have been mis-sold PPI but to make a claim. A factsheet on making a claim and how to proceed with a complaint if you are unhappy is available on the Financial Ombudsman website: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/..../payment-protection-insurance.pdf. A sample letter and further information on making a claim can be found at: www.which.co.uk/..../the-ppi-campaign/sample-letter/    (17 May 2011)

"TAX REBATE" SCAM

A Kent resident has received a telephone call from "a foreign sounding man" saying he was from the British Council in London and advising of a council tax rebate of £7,186. The caller said he needed the consumer’s debit card and bank account details. The consumer was given a reference number and a number to call a "treasury department". A man at the "treasury department" then took the reference number and stated that the consumer had to pay £95 to receive the refund.

Another consumer reported that someone had called her "from her bank" stating that all her money had been taken out and they needed her bank account details to resolve the issue. Fortunately, she did not believe the caller.

Kent Trading Standards are warning consumers to be very wary of anybody contacting them by phone, text or e-mail about rebates from government departments or requesting their bank details. Banks will never cold call asking people for their bank details as they will already have them. Legitimate organisations will have all the relevant information they need for any rebates and will normally contact consumers in writing.  If you have any concerns call Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256.    (17 May 2011)

CHECK THOSE "TERMS AND CONDITIONS" CAREFULLY!

Kent Trading Standards advise consumers to read "terms and conditions" when signing up for products and services over the Internet. Research, commissioned by investment specialist Skandia, exposes how easy it is for people booking and paying for goods and services online to click the terms and conditions box without actually reading them in full. Nearly half of those who don't read the terms and conditions say they are boring or difficult to understand. But, by failing to check the small print, they are in the dark about their rights if something goes wrong.

In addition, 21% of people surveyed said they had suffered as a result of ticking the terms and conditions box without having done their homework. 10% found themselves locked into a longer contract than expected and 5% lost money by not being able to cancel or amend hotel or holiday bookings. To report any concerns or to seek advice call Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256.    (16 May 2011)

MORE ON "DEBT SETTLEMENT" OFFERS

There's an update on the "Debt Settlement Order" offer featured below (see 14 April 2011 item). Kent Trading Standards say that Sheppey Citizens Advice Bureau has informed them that this sort of messaging is not restricted to texts. Businesses are calling consumers and CABs leaving automated phone messages about a similar system that can supposedly help with debt management. The public is advised to be very wary of these offers and it's probably best to ignore them completely. There is no known scheme called the "Debt Settlement Order". Anyone struggling to pay off debt and needing advice would do much better to contact the following FREE advice centres:
National Debtline; 0800 808 4000;
Consumer Credit Counselling Service: 0800 138 1111; or
Citizens Advice Bureau: 08444 111 444.

Kent Savers offer loans with fair interest rates even if you are on a low income or have a poor credit history. Call them on 0300 456 9990 or visit their website at www.kentsavers.co.uk.    (16 May 2011)