Surrey County Council Trading Standards
TS @lert!
Please note that these alerts can now be found on our website www.surreycc.gov.uk/tradingstandards
Email scam from Royal Mail
There is an email circulating that looks as though it is from the Post Office offering you a tax rebate. Its asks you to download a form in order to receive your money.
Don't do it!
The file may harm your computer and if you disclose personal details to these scammers you run the risk of identity fraud!
Other Royal mail fraudulent email information can be found in this link ...http://www.royalmail.com/customer-service/security/suspicious-emails
Assassin scam email
The email circulating claims to be from a sympathetic assassin who thinks that the recipient of the email has wrongly had a contract taken out against them.The fraudster offers to forgo his job in return for a large amount of money; he will then provide proof of who has taken out the ‘hit’ in return for even more cash. In the email the recipient is warned not to contact police or tell friends or family.
These types of scam emails are generally sent to a large number of people within a targeted group in the hope that one or more will respond and be drawn further into the scam.
Who can I report these scam emails to?
Please report them to Action Fraud - this enables intelligence to be gathered and preventative action taken.http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/scam-emails
Google Chrome Update?
Users of the web browser Chrome are being warned to watch out for fake updates that are not issued by Google, but are part of a scam designed to steal online banking credentials and other confidential details.
Rather than risking problems, our advice to users is to go to the Settings menu and click on the Help option, prompting Chrome to check for updates and download the latest version.
Home Improvement Scam
A slightly different tact from a cold caller - this time they used the name of a legitimate company that had previously undertaken high standard work within the property.
Residents assumed it was the same trader and so parted with money .... not the case!
Advice - Don't assume and double check!
Holiday flight didn't go to plan due to the recent cold weather? - your rights explained!
When a flight is cancelled, however long before it was due to take off, and regardless of the cause of the cancellation, you have a right to:
- Either a refund for the flight that was cancelled.
- Or an alternative flight to your destination (airlines call this re-routing)
If you choose to be re-routed at the earliest opportunity, airlines also have to provide assistance such as food, phone calls and accommodation where appropriate to passengers, regardless of what caused the cancellation.
If your flight departure is delayed for more than two hours, regardless of what caused this delay, your airline may have to look after you until your flight departs. This means you could be provided with food, drinks, communications, and accommodation if you are delayed overnight.
If bad weather causes the delay, you are unlikely to get additional compensation.
For departures delayed by five hours or more, if you decide not to travel, you can also get a refund of your ticket, regardless of what caused the delay.
For more specific advice please call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06 or ask online via their website
Recalls
Waitrose Channel Island Hazelnut Yoghurt (Allergy Alert!) - with a use-by date of 28th Jan as it contains walnuts and almonds that are not listed.
Sainsburys Honey Roasted Jumbo Cashews (Allergy Alert!) - the product contains peanuts that are not listed.
Laura Ashley fleece blankets - as they pose a strangulation hazard to children. They were sold between 16th Nov 2011 and 10th Jan 2013. Please return the blanket to a Laura Ashley shop or call them on 01686 620730
Miffy Bean Rattle - may pose a choking hazard for children. Batch code 013497/11/2011 in blue and pink (sold since Feb 2012). Please contact Rainbow designs on 0800 0280950 if you have one.
