1. New Year - Same Old Tax Scam!
As the deadline approaches for paying your self assessment tax bill, the scammers are stepping up their efforts to cash in!
A new wave of emails has been sent out to coincide with the deadline claiming that you are due a refund and can get your hands on £100's by passing on a few details.
HMRC will NEVER inform you of a tax rebate by email and will NEVER ask you to disclose personal information by email.
Please also be aware that links may take you to bogus websites and attachments may contain viruses so don't open them!

You can report fraud, including online or internet crimes on the Action Fraud website

2. Phishing emails
Phishing is a method used by fraudsters to access valuable personal details, such as usernames and passwords usually as a means to scam consumers out of money!

It can also involve sending malicious attachments or website links in an effort to infect computers or mobile devices.
Criminals send bogus communications: emails, letters, instant messages or text messages.
Very often these appear to be authentic communications from legitimate organisations such as banks.
Embedded links within the message can direct you to a hoax website where your login or personal details may be requested. You may also run the risk of your computer or smartphone being infected by viruses. 

3. Investment in rare metals - a scam that could cost you the earth!
In recent years fraudulent cold calling telesales firms have branched out into selling land or wine as an investment which supposedly has the potential to enjoy considerable growth but would prove subsequently worthless or fetch nowhere near the price paid, often playing on the consumers ignorance and potentially loosing them £1000's.

An update on these scams is a caller offering a so-called "green energy bundle", where buyers can receive kilos of dysprosium,yttrium, lanthanum and neodymium. You are told these metals will move up sharply in value. But few have any idea of what these strange-sounding substances are or, more importantly, how to value and sell them.
For more information please take a look at this link to the Independent website

4. Counterfeit Condoms
The government's health regulator the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulation Agency (MHRA) has warned there are a rising number of counterfeit condoms being smuggled into to the UK. Family planning experts say the bogus condoms don't provide protection against STIs or pregnancy. The best way to avoid being caught out is to make sure you buy condoms from reliable places.... and yes we have found some in Surrey!
For more information please see this link to the BBC website

5. Scam loans & Advance fee fraud
This type of scam occurs when a trader requires money up front for things such as administration or a credit check for services or loans that then do not materialise. A common way of requesting this is through legitimate schemes such as UKASH.
There has also been an increasing number of reports from people who have had their identity fraudulently used to take out payday loans. Please check you bank transactions carefully and if you spot anything suspicious notify your bank immediately.

Dos:

*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'ts:

*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.

6. Consumer rights when a company goes into Administration - eg Jessops

• Refunds. When firms go into administration, you often cannot return faulty items or have them exchanged. While this may be a legal right, you become a 'creditor' with others the firm owes money to.
• Non-delivered items. It is unclear what will happen to recent orders that have yet to be delivered. Be warned, they may never arrive.
• Warranties. If you have bought an extended warranty, this is an insurance contract so it should still be valid anyway. The contract is with an insurance company, not the retailer. If you're unsure, if the contract says it's "regulated by the Financial Services Authority", it's probably an insurance contract.
• Can I claim? If faulty items are not replaced, or deliveries never come, you should be covered under Section 75, if you paid by credit card and the item cost more than £100. If you paid by credit card for goods under £100, or on a debit card, you may be able to claim via Visa or Mastercard's chargeback schemes.
• Gift Cards Administrators are allowed to render gift cards and vouchers invalid.

If you need any further or more specific advice give the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline a call on 08454 04 05 06

Recalls

• Asda Hot Pot 200g  / all date codes

Asda is withdrawing its own-brand Great Stuff Minced Beef Hotpot because the product contains wheat/gluten, which is mentioned on the label but not in the allergen advice box. The Agency has issued an Allergy Alert.

• Asda Baby Soothers

Little Angels Cherry Soothers bought since October 2012.
The soothers affected are sold in double packs of blue and pink and have a barcode of 0505244962706.
They have been withdrawn from sale and are being recalled from sale due to the possible risk of choking following a complaint from a customer that the outer casing became detached from the main soother.
If you have bought the Little Angels Cherry Soother 2-pack, please dispose of it or take it back to your local Asda for a full refund. No receipt is necessary.

• Poundland Dog Harness

66538-3 ASSTD SIZE DOG HARNESS
Barcode-5025066665388
Routine testing has shown that under certain conditions when a strong dog is excited and straining on the harness the Velcro fastening may come undone allowing your dog to run free.Check the barcode on your purchase and return the item to your nearest store as soon as possible.

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You can now see these alerts on our website!

All reports of frauds or scams can be reported to us via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06 or online via their website

For Textphone please dial 18001 followed by 08454 04 05 06