Wiltshire Trading Standards

Great work by our colleagues in South Gloucestershire!

TK Maxx are recalling the GENTEK WIRELESS CHARGING PAD as it may overheat or present a fire hazard https://www.tkmaxx.com/…/product-recall -gentek-wireless-cha…

*** PRODUCT RECALL - WAITROSE ESSENTIAL PICKLED SWEET SLICED BEETROOT ***
Waitrose are recalling the above product as a small number of jars may contain pieces of glass.
Essential Waitrose Pickled Sweet Sliced Beetroot 340 g... Brand: Waitrose & Partners Best-before-end: Sep 2020
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***DOORSTEP CRIME ALERT***
We’ve received a report about an incident in Calne where a man calling himself ‘Martin’ turned up at a vulnerable consumer’s property claiming to be there to inspect the solar panel installation. He subsequently demanded £500 from the consumer claiming the installation posed a fire risk. If you’ve received a similar visit please contact us at tradingstandards@wiltshire.gov.uk or call the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454040506.
Keep an eye... out for vulnerable neighbours and be suspicious of anyone cold calling at your home, particularly if they ask to enter your property or are claiming you need work done. Our advice is always IF IN DOUBT KEEP THEM OUT. Never agree to anything on the spot and if you do want work done use a member of our Buy With Confidence trader approval scheme or ask friends and family for recommendations.
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Great work by our colleagues at Bath & North East Somerset Trading Standards. If you believe you have been the victim of a rogue trader the matter can be reported to Citizens Advice on 03454 040506.

Be wary of giving your waste to a ‘man with a van’ without making the correct checks. It could cost you more than you expected!

BEWARE OF CRYPTOCURRENCY SCAMS!
We have had several reports in Wiltshire of victims of cryptocurrency scams. Victims have been lured in by celebrity pictures on the advertisements. They've also seen the ads while looking at reliable websites and mistakenly assumed they must have been genuine investment traders.
Often the initial investment is only a few hundred pounds, which the victims consider to be low risk, but very soon afterwards the scammers will call and persuade th...em to invest more. The money is quickly transferred to an account outside of the UK.
Cryptocurrencies are unregulated and your money is not protected.
Victims details will also be added to the 'suckers list' so they will be targetted by more scammers in the future.
If you have been a victim of a cryptocurrency scam report it to Action Fraud
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*** SCAM ALERT - SPRINGTIME TAX SCAM ***
It's the time of year when HMRC process legitimate rebates following the end of the tax year. Around 250,000 reports of these scams were reported to Action Fraud at this time last year.
The Government says that young adults, vulnerable people and pensioners could be particularly at risk of being targeted and falling victim to the fraud - primarily because they may have had limited contact with the tax system in the past.
... Beware of texts, e-mails and phone calls. HMRC will issue any rebates directly into your bank account if they already have your details or will send a cheque in the post.
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*** SCAM ALERT - BEWARE OF 'SEXTORTION SCAM' WHERE FRAUDSTERS SEND VICTIMS THEIR OWN PASSWORDS ***
Beware of a terrifying new scam where victims are sent their own passwords as evidence of a hack.
The 'sextortion scam' is essentially a blackmail scheme through which scammers attempt to threaten victims into payment by claiming to have footage of their private online activity.
... This is done through an email which includes the victim's own password in the subject line - suggesting that the sender has access to their computer or device.
The fraudsters claim that the password was obtained through surveillance software installed on the victim's device through pornographic videos online.
The email threatens that if the victim doesn't provide a payment, a recording of them watching this sexual content will be leaked to their social media and email contacts - purportedly obtained through the hack too.
Action Fraud however explained that the scammers instead likely obtained the victims' passwords from an old data breach - such as the one which affected Facebook in September 2018.
The cyber crime organisation said it suspects this after running some of the victim's email address through a dedicated database, which checks if an account has been ever been comprised in such a way.
They found that almost all of the accounts they tested were at risk.
Although there's a very real possibility that your information may have been passed on through a data breach, there are a number of ways to protect yourself from falling victim to the scam.
Firstly, Action Fraud recommends that everyone ensure they have the latest software and app updates installed as well as making sure anti-virus software is up-to-date.
The organisation explained that anyone who does receive the email should not reply, as it highlights their vulnerability and may mean they are targeted again.
Action Fraud also advises performing password resets immediately, if you receive a scam such as this, particularly on accounts where you've used the password mentioned in the email.
Anyone who has received the email should either contact their local police force, if they've already paid the fine, or Action Fraud, if they have yet to provide the scammers with payment details.
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Argos are recalling a number of e-cigarettes as the battery sold with them could cause overheating and result in injury https://www.argos.co.uk/events/safety-pro duct-recalls

*** PRODUCT RECALL - FISHER PRICE ROCK 'n PLAY SLEEPER ***
Fisher Price are recalling the following Rock 'n Play Sleepers purchased in the EU within the last 2 years:
•FWX18 -Fisher-Price® Auto Rock 'n Play? Sleeper... •DMJ24 -Fisher-Price® Auto Rock 'n Play? Sleeper - Windmill •FHW34 -Fisher-Price® Deluxe Auto Rock 'n Play? Soothing Seat - Isle Stone •FHW33 -Fisher-Price® Auto Rock 'n Play? Soothing Seat - Aquavine •FNR95 -Fisher-Price® Deluxe Rock 'n Play? Sleeper - Comfy Cloud
Fisher-Price asks parents and caregivers who use a Rock 'n Play Sleeper with their infant to stop using the product. Consumers will be given a full refund.
For now, consumers who purchased FWX18 -Fisher-Price® Auto Rock 'n Play? Sleeper online do not need to take any immediate action to return products and get a refund. In the week starting Monday 15 April 2019 your online retailer will send an e-mail to all consumers who purchased the product with them in the EU. This e-mail will include information how to return the product to the online retailer in order to get a refund.Consumers who bought other Rock n Play Sleepers online please contact Mattel Consumer Services in the EU country where the product was purchased.
Consumers who purchased the Rock 'n Play Sleeper via another retail channel (not online) are requested to contact Mattel Consumer Services in the EU country where they purchased the product: •United Kingdom: https://service.mattel.com/uk/EmailContac t.aspx
Consumers may visit www.Fisher-PriceSafety.com for information or visit www.service.mattel.comand click on "Recalls & Safety Alerts" for more information.
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Keep an eye out for these fake DHL emails. If you get one, don’t click on the links or attachments; they lead to malicious websites! #PhishyFridays 🎣

*** PRODUCT RECALL - DORSET CEREALS SIMPLY OAT GRANOLA (550g) ***
The Jordans & Ryvita Company is recalling Dorset Cereals Simply Oat Granola because it contains almonds, cashew nuts and hazelnuts which are not mentioned on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to nuts.
Pack size: 550g ... Batch code: 24 02 2020 GCP9116 Best before: 24 February 2020
If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to nuts, do not eat it.
Return the product to the store from where you purchased it, or contact our consumer services team at pleasetellus@dorsetcereals.co.uk / 0800 5878901 and they will provide information on how to obtain a product replacement voucher.
Only this one batch of Dorset cereals ‘Simply Oat Granola’ is affected by this announcement. No other Dorset Cereals products are impacted
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Job vacancy at one our our Buy With Confidence Trading Standards Approved businesses.

Now that the midge season is in full swing, there is a greater risk of bluetongue virus (BTV) in sheep and cattle. The virus could reach the UK if infected midges are blown over from Europe to southern England by the wind or if infected animals are imported. Look out for clinical signs of bluetongue virus in your cattle and sheep. If you suspect BTV, you must contact us or your local vet. Find out more: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bluetongue

The England Illegal Money Lending Team has funds available to enable local organisations to access grants that actively reduce crime and disorder and raise awareness of loan sharks.
The Fund is formed of money seized from illegal money lenders under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (#POCA) and is awarded to groups who wish to invest in local community projects.
Grants of up to £5000 are available and the closing date is 30th June.
... For more information and to apply visit: http://bit.ly/2E56tVs #FundingAvailable
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