Romance scams; Trading Standards Week of Action; tips on choosing a tradesperson
Heart of the South West Trading Standards Consumer news [
]
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Beware of romance fraudsters
With Valentine's Day this month, are you looking for love online? While online dating can be exciting, make sure you don't fall for a romance scammer. Romance scams involve people being duped into sending money to criminals who go to great lengths to gain their trust and convince them that they are in a genuine relationship.
If you're dating online, make sure you read Action Fraud's guide on dating fraud [
] to learn more about these scams, how to spot the signs of romance scams and how to stay safe from romance fraudsters.
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Trading Standards South West Week of Action
Join in the Week of Action!
This week is Trading Standards South West's [
] Week of Action where they're highlighting a host of topics and how you can recognise practices that might end up costing you money - or more!
Topics highlighted are:
* Illegal pet importers and rural mental health support and wellbeing (19 Feb)
* Student accommodation rental scams and romance scams (20 Feb)
* Tackling illegal tobacco (21 Feb)
* Underage sales of vapes (22 Feb)
* Rogue tradespeople (23 Feb)
Follow the Week of Action on Facebook [
], Instagram [
] and X [
].
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Stop! Think Fraud campaign [
]
Stop! Think Fraud
Get the knowledge and tools you need to stay ahead of scams, by visiting the Government's new Stop! Think Fraud website [
]. It's packed with vital guidance on how to spot fraud, protect yourself from fraud and, if you're targeted, report it and recover from it.
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Tips for choosing a tradesperson
Are you looking for a business to do work around your home or garden? Beware of rogue traders [
]! When looking for a tradesperson, follow our advice:
* Don’t agree to work offered by unsolicited doorstep callers.
* Don’t rely on posts or recommendations on social media sites without doing your own research.
* Don’t be swayed by glossy flyers or impressive websites as they may not show the trader’s own work.
* Don’t pay cash or agree to be taken to the bank or immediately transfer money before any work is started.
* Don’t be rushed into making a decision.
Do:
* Get three written quotes from reputable businesses.
* Research the companies you’re looking to use e.g. ask for references and look online.
* Ask friends and family to recommend local traders or search via Buy With Confidence [
].
* Decide who to use in your own time and make sure you have confidence in their skills and abilities.
* Ask to see professional qualifications, public liability insurance and if applicable waste carriers licence.
* Make sure you have full contact details for a tradesperson not just a mobile phone number.
* Check if you’re entitled to your 14-day cooling-off period – see our guide Buying at home: off-premises contracts explained [
].
* Ask if the company has an Alternative Dispute Resolution policy – is there any independent body to complain to if things go wrong?
* If you are concerned rogue traders are operating in your area, always report it to Citizens Advice [
].
* If someone knocks on your door and you’re not sure, don’t open the door.
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E-vehicle safety warning
A garage in Tavistock, Devon, was recently damaged by fire after an e-bike was left on charge - read the full story on BBC News [
].
Read our advice to consumers and businesses [
] about ensuring that e-scooters and e-bikes are safe and compliant with the correct safety regulations before they are purchased, sold or hired out.
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Read more news from Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service. [
]
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What do you think our priorities should be? Let us know in our short survey. [
]
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*This newsletter is produced by the Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service [
]. **Commissioned by Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay Councils.*
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*Office hours
*9am-4.30pm (Monday to Thursday).
9am-4pm (Friday).
*For consumer advice, call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline [
] on 0808 223 1133.*
For immediate, straightforward guidance on a range of consumer problems, read our free online consumer guides [
].
For business advice, visit our website [
] or contact us [
].
*For Trading Standards Approved Traders visit Buy With Confidence. [
]*
Buy With Confidence [
]
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