Bird flu: Poultry keepers are urged to prepare for winter avian flu (bird flu) and reduce the risk of disease in their birds over the winter. Highly pathogenic avian influenza is causing outbreaks in Russia and Kazakhstan and as winter approaches the risk of migratory wild birds infecting domestic poultry will rise. It is therefore very important that poultry farmers and pet bird keepers take action to improve biosecurity. There are some simple measures that all poultry keepers, whether they are running a large commercial farm, keeping a few hens in their back garden, or rearing game birds, should take to protect their birds against the threat of avian flu in the coming winter months.
These include:
- Keeping the area where birds live clean and tidy, controlling rats and mice and regularly cleansing and disinfecting any hard surfaces
- Cleaning footwear before and after visits
- Placing birds’ feed and water in fully enclosed areas that are protected from wild birds, and removing any spilled feed regularly
- Putting fencing around outdoor areas where birds are allowed and limiting their access to ponds or areas visited by wild waterfowl
- Where possible, avoid keeping ducks and geese with other poultry species.
More information on how to spot avian influenza, what to do if you suspect it, and measures to prevent it can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu
Pushy caller: This week we received a call from a very concerned neighbour. An elderly resident in Mid-Suffolk was contacted on the phone by a company who told her she needed loft insulation installed. When she told them she would need to consult with family, they became very pushy, insisting it needed to be done. The call was ended but the company called her twice more, withholding their number, and advising they would be visiting her property the next morning. Our rapid response team were at the ready to attend the property, as too were the Police. Thankfully for the resident the trader never arrived. If you receive a similar call, hang up and do not engage with the individual. Do not give any personal details. Wait 5 minutes for the line to clear and report them to us via 0808 223 1133. If a caller arrives at your property, DO NOT open the door, call the number above. Please look out for your elderly and vulnerable neighbours. Make them aware of the rogues that could be contacting them, so they are empowered to say NO!
Tax scam: "I received a phone call claiming they were from HMRC and that I owe a tax of £1,974. I was threatened that I have a warrant of arrest and I was so afraid as I was alone in the house and there is no one I can talk to, so I paid it through bank transfer. After that they sent documents to my WhatsApp and email showing I have to pay another £4,000 to drop the allegations against me, and it will be refunded to me. I wasn't thinking clearly as I believed it is true as they pressured me, so I paid them. They then asked me for another £1,997 for document charges so I did pay them, but afterwards they sent another document with the supreme court logo saying that was for judicial judge payments, amounting to £4,000. Then I realised this might be scam as they are asking for more, but when I said that I don't have anymore money to pay, they told me the police will be here in my house within 1 hour. I hung up as I don't have any more money to pay." The victim was able to recover all the money back via her bank. However, she had sent the criminals copies of her passport as well as a recent photo and so now fears she will be a victim of identity theft. If you receive a similar phone call, HANG UP. Do not give any personal details. If you think your financial information has been compromised, contact your bank immediately. Report all scams to us via 0808 223 1133.
Loan sharks: We work closely with the Stop Loan Sharks Project to stamp out loan sharks and ensure people have access to flexible, affordable and fair lending during this time of uncertainty. Credit unions encourage members to save regularly, provide loans at low rates, and help members in need of financial advice and assistance. It’s important that we help people to save and build up their financial resilience, protecting them against future unexpected events and falling into the trap of unscrupulous loan sharks. Watch the following animation to find out more about the benefits of using a credit union: https://bit.ly/2ZPTZMH Find your nearest Credit Union here: https://www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk/
Baker Ross are recalling three toys: The Flashing Christmas Bracelets and the Funky Faces Flashing Rings are being recalled as the electrical circuit and the button batteries can easily detach from the toy. A child could place any of them in the mouth and choke on it. When swallowed, button cells can trigger the generation of the highly corrosive sodium hydroxide in the body, leading to severe burns and tissue damage. The Flashing Swing Balls are being recalled as they pose a strangulation risk. Product information: Flashing Christmas Bracelets, Model Number: AV636, Barcode: 50501174078239; Funky Faces Flashing Rings, Model Number: AR472: Flashing Swing Balls, Model Number: EF453, Barcode: 5051174046573. If you have purchased one of the toys, please stop using them immediately and contact Baker Ross on enquiry@bakerross.co.uk
Beware of the Mystery Shopper Recruitment Scam: Fraudsters are targeting job-seekers with a recruitment scam that has already claimed 35 victims with losses totalling over £51,000. All of the victims have so far been from London. The fraudsters use recruitment websites and apps to identify potential targets. The victim is then cold-called by someone claiming to be an employee of a mobile phone network. The caller explains to the victim that they will need to take part in a “mystery shopper” test in order to pass the recruitment process. The victim is instructed to visit one of the mobile network’s high street stores and take out a phone contract using the victim’s own personal and financial details. They are assured that the contract will be cancelled after the recruitment process is completed. Once the victim has successfully taken out the contract, they are directed to drop-off points to deliver the phone and SIM card to a ‘colleague’ of the caller. The victim is reassured that the contract will be terminated. In reality, the victims will never hear from the suspects again, and are left liable for the mobile phone contract they were convinced to purchase. Some victims are also asked to move the “employer’s” money through their own bank accounts, putting them at risk of committing money laundering offences. Others find out that their personal details have been used to take out loans, for which they are also now liable.
Personal information such as your full address, DOB, or NI Number should not be included on your CV or public profiles on a recruitment sites. To protect yourself against identity theft, always verify that the employer/recruiter you’re speaking with is who they say they are. Contact the employer via a telephone number or email address on their official website, or via the company’s verified social media accounts. Never allow an employer to move their money through your personal bank account. Legitimate employers won’t ask you to do this. For more advice and information about recruitment scams, please visit: https://www.safer-jobs.com/ Report all scams and rogues to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Dangerous products: Our Imports Surveillance Officers have stopped a consignment of dangerous products at the Port of Felixstowe. These 3 Barrel Curlers could give you an electric shock if used! A sample of the detained curlers were sent for testing and it was found (amongst other failures) to have access to live parts and what is thought to be a counterfeit plug. Also in the consignment were unsafe wall lights and unsafe panel lights, all of which could also give you an electric shock due the their failures. Make sure you only buy electrical products from a reputable retailer. If buying on an online marketplace such as Amazon or eBay, make sure you check the details of the seller and that they have a UK address. Check the reviews for the product to see what others have said, and remember, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is! If you are concerned about the safety of a product, stop using it immediately and report it to Trading Standards on 0808 223 1133.
Green Homes Grant: The Government has launched the Green Homes Grant, designed to help homeowners and landlords with the costs of installing energy efficient improvements in the home. However, when the government launches high profile schemes like this, criminals will try to cash in and exploit those wishing to take up the scheme. If you want to use the scheme, it’s essential to know how it works.
- Check if you are eligible
- Check what improvements are covered
- Check for certified installers (look for the TrustMark!)
- Get a quote for the work from a TrustMark-registered tradesperson
- Apply for the voucher
Homeowners and landlords can apply for a voucher towards the cost of installing energy efficient and low-carbon heating improvements to homes. The government will provide a voucher that covers up to two thirds of the cost of qualifying improvements to your home. The maximum value of the voucher is £5,000. You may be able to receive a higher level of subsidy if you are a homeowner and either you or a member of your household receives one of the qualifying benefits, covering 100% of the cost of the improvements. The maximum value of these voucher is £10,000. The voucher must be redeemed and all improvements completed by March 31, 2021. NO Green Homes Scheme representative will contact you to encourage you to take advantage of the scheme. If you are contacted by anyone, claiming to be part of the Green Homes Scheme, on the phone or on your doorstep, report them to Trading Standards via 0808 223 1133. To find out more about how you apply click here: https://www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk/.../green-homes-grant Criminals may try and contact you in number of ways attempting to defraud you out of your money.
TV Licensing: TV Licensing is writing directly to anyone affected by the changes. No one needs to do anything until they receive this letter, and there will be plenty of time to set up a licence. If you’re unsure about any communication you’ve received from someone claiming to be from TV Licensing, please call them on 0800 232 1382 (Mon-Fri 08:30-18:30).
Button batteries: Button batteries, in particular big, powerful lithium coin cell batteries (like a 5 pence piece), can badly hurt or kill a small child if they swallow one and it gets stuck in their food pipe. But how can a ‘flat’ battery cause harm? ‘Flat’ batteries aren’t ‘flat’! Most of us think that, when a product stops working, the battery has no power left and is ‘flat’. However, many ‘flat’ lithium coin cell batteries still hold enough charge to burn a small child’s food pipe, if they swallow one and it gets stuck there. Many batteries are swallowed without the adults knowing and with the child too young to be able to tell them. We know of cases where the lithium coin cell battery has been lodged in the child’s food pipe for weeks before discovery. The symptoms can be vague and mimic common ailments, so it’s not always clear how dangerous the situation is. Thankfully, while the potential consequences may be dire, the solution couldn’t be simpler:
- Keep your used ‘flat’ batteries well out of children’s reach, high up in a sealed container.
- Take them to recycling as soon as you can.
- Find out where you can take yours here www.recyclenow.com/what-to-do-with/batteries-1.
- Many shops that sell batteries are required to offering recycling – so when you grab your bags for the shops, grab your old batteries too.
“The worst case we had was a 3-year-old boy who swallowed the 'flat' battery (lithium coin cell) when it was being replaced with a new one. We removed it within 3-4 hours but he had a nasty burn of his oesophagus,” Consultant gastroenterologist.
Chain emails: It is that time of year when we have to remind everyone that a chain email and Facebook Post circulating, warning about a postal scam that could leave you £315 out of pocket - is a HOAX! If you receive this via a message or email just delete it and do not to forward it to anyone. If you see a post on Facebook, do not share it. The chain email refers to a service (operating on 0906 6611911) that was shut down by PhonepayPlus (then ICSTIS) in December 2005. PhonepayPlus subsequently fined the company that was operating the service, Studio Telecom (based in Belize), £10,000. The service is NO LONGER running and has NOT been running since December 2005.
Beware of scam energy saving calls: It is getting to that time of year when we are all starting to think about turning the heating on. Inevitably that means that we at Trading Standards start to receive calls from residents who have been approached by possible scammers. Today we received a call from someone who was concerned they had been contacted by a scammer who was offering a “free boiler service”. Our advice is to never agree to anything, including a home visit, when approached by a cold caller on the phone, at your door or via email. Do your research first, and find out if it is a product or service that you want or require. You may be entitled to a grant to help you with the cost of energy improvements on your home, but don’t trust a cold caller who advises you that you are. In Suffolk you can contact Suffolk Energy Action locally on 0345 0371234, or call Simple Action Energy on 0800 444202. Both will be able to clarify the current grants available, and what you may be eligible for. More information can be found here: https://www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk/ The Government's Green Homes Grant vouchers are now available, and you can find out our more about the scheme, and if you can apply here: https://greenhomesgrant.campaign.gov.uk/ The scheme specifically bans uninvited callers to your property or cold calling on the phone to encourage you to join the scheme. Traders who wish to carry out work under the Green Homes Grant scheme MUST be registered with TrustMark. Report all scams and rogues to us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Doorstep caller: We need more information about a cold caller who called at properties in Bury St Edmunds on Tuesday 29th September, offering to do gardening work. In particular, the trader called at properties in a No Cold Calling Zone (Heldhaw Road). The trader was male with a pick up truck, that had a chipper on the back. If you are able to supply us with any further details, please call Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Facebook fake: Yet another fake Center Parc Page has been spotted on Facebook, offering a holiday to 25 people who share the competition ... There is NO free holiday!! This is a fake competition on a fake page, run by criminals. The page has been set up by scammers for ‘like-farming’, using your interaction to harvest personal data. Before liking a page, especially a big business like Center Parcs, check if it has a blue tick. This means the page has been verified by Facebook. You can also look at the Page transparency to see when it was created. The real Center Parcs page was created in August 2010. This fake page was created on 10th September 2020. Don’t just look at the competition post. Look at the page history, and the other posts on the page. Does it look genuine? If you come across a fake page on Facebook, report it by going to the page and tap *** from the top right and select “Give feedback or report this Page”. Select “Scams and Fake Pages”. Fake promotions or competitions on Facebook typically urge users to either engage with a Facebook post (e.g. share and comment) to win a prize, or click a link to claim a prize. Or possibly both. Our recommendation is to never interact with these types of Facebook posts.
The fish sellers are back! We have received reports of fish/meat sellers calling at properties in Mid-Suffolk. If you are approached, please do not deal with them, and report to us via 0808 223 1133. These traders travel nationally, cold calling consumers’ homes selling the meat and fish. This is often misdescribed, mislabelled or unlabelled, overpriced and sometimes underweight. They usually use Transit-style vans which may not be refrigerated. Our advice is not to purchase!
Recall: Lidl are recalling the SILVERCREST 2 in 1 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner and Battery/Charger due to a fire risk when in use and when charging. Neither the vacuum cleaner nor the battery or charger should be used. If you have bought the above mentioned product, and are already making an essential trip to a Lidl GB store you can return the item to the store for a full refund, with or without a receipt. Alternatively, please dispose of the product and email customer.services@lidl.co.uk including a photo of the affected product. The Customer Services team will process this refund via letter. Any customers with queries or concerns can contact Lidl Customer Services on 0370 444 1234