1. PPI Phone Call

Issue: Recently a lady in the Guildford area received a phone call saying that she is owed over £2000 and that someone would be coming to her house to collect £150 that was required to release the money. It was a male with a strong Asian accent who made the call. When we intervened and tried to call him back on the number given he hung up on us!

Solution: Be wary of such phone calls and texts and do not let anyone into your house that your don't know.

Please report these or similar instances to us via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06.

The Police can also be contacted on 101 or in an emergency 999.

2. Solar Panels in New Homes

Issue: New build houses that are sold with the promise of saving you money with Solar panels installed maybe worth checking out carefully. In the case shown in this link , they didn't work as promised Solar heating systems to cost Leatherhead owners thousands in maintenance

Solution: It is important to read the small print and be aware of any on-going maintenance payment required. For this and any other type of enquiry pleas call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06

3. Scam phone call targeted at a pensioner

Issue: A pensioner from the Guildford area received an unsolicited and unusual phone call claiming that as a pensioner she was eligible for £1000, and should therefore press a number on her keypad to confirm her details and arrange payment. Luckily she didn't follow these instructions and fall for a potential scam.

Solution: This is a very real problem and one which many people across the county and the country at large suffer from each and every day. The particular approaches vary widely and many, if not all, originate from outside of the UK. The telephone preference service goes some ways to stopping these calls, but it's not a foolproof system. We suggest using caller display, not answering unless you know the caller or even screening your calls using an answerphone. In any case don't give out your personal or bank details to a stranger!

Please report these or similar instances to us via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06.

4. Thinking of getting a new driveway?

Issue: We are aware of traders quoting for driveway work throughout Surrey, and not abiding by the law. Even some of the bigger companies are not innocent!

.....Remember:

If you pay or agree to pay over £35 for any services or goods that are sold to you during a visit to your home or your place of work, then:

• You have 7 days to cancel the agreement. Any monies you have paid should then be returned to you.

• The caller must give you a written cancellation form setting out your rights when you agree the contract. If the caller does not provide you with this information he is committing a criminal offence and the agreement isn’t valid.

5. Rogues targeting the vulnerable

Issue: We have been alerted to the fact and are now working with an elderly couple in Dormansland that seem to have fallen victim to rogues who are preying on them and talking them into often un-necessary and vastly overpriced work.

Solution: Please keep an eye on your friends, family and neighbours as often the 'victims' don't realise they have been scammed.

Please report these or similar instances to us via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06 - we may be able to help!

5. Guttering

Issue: We have raised the issue before of tradesmen dropping leaflets through doors - there is nothing wrong with this except that on several occasions in the Epsom area and now in the Long Ditton area, the details on the card give false addresses and sometimes even one of the phone numbers is false. The traders we are aware of don't have fancy names but instead XXX gutters or XXX guttering.

Solution: It is a case of 'buyer beware' when choosing a trader - check them out! Does their address actually exist? Have they been recommended by anyone? Are they a member of a trade association and if so is it a false claim or are they genuinely a member?

We suggest using a Buy With Confidence member as they have been approved by Trading Standards!

Buy With Confidence

6. Loan Sharks

Once again we would like to highlight the work of the Trading Standards Illegal Money Lending Team. They are specialists in dealing with unlicensed lenders, bringing them to justice and supporting victims.

• Have you been offered a cash loan without paperwork?

• Been threatened when you couldn't pay?

• Had your benefit or bank card taken from you?

• Had a loan which keeps growing even though you are making payments?

...If you have answered yes then you may have been bitten by a shark!

For confidential help and advice you can call 0300 555 2222 (local call rate and includes inclusive minutes from mobiles)

You can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Text: loan (space) shark (space) + your message to 60003

Recalls

• Mothercare all in one dress up

We are aware that the following garments are missing an information statement advising customers that they are not recommended for wearing in bed and should be removed before sleeping. This advice is given to avoid the risk of over heating because these garments have hoods.

W5567 Brown Bear Fleece Dress Up

W5573 Cream Bear Dress Up

W5606 Pink Rabbit Dress Up

W5605 Dinosaur Dress Up

W5607 Giraffe Dress Up

Size range: early baby – 3 years

• Homebase large growing santa and snowman Christmas decoration

There is a wooden post which supports the head of the figure. The pointed profile of the post may pose the risk if it becomes exposed.

If you have one of these items purchased from Homebase please STOP USING IT immediately.

Please return the product to your nearest Homebase Store for a full refund.

• Debenhams Baker (by Ted Baker) snow suits and jackets

Debenhams is recalling a number of Baker by Ted Baker snow suits and jackets. They have found that the zips on these snow suits and jackets can scratch or graze the face or neck of babies and small children.

There are 8 Baker by Ted Baker snow suits and jackets affected by this recall. They are:-

• 240020742582 - Baby girl cream fur snowsuit (0-24 months)

• 239020704403 - Baby boy quilted red snowsuit (0-24 months)

• 240020742505 - Baby girl pink fur snowsuit (0-24 months)

• 239020703343 - Baby boy memory navy snowsuit (0-24 months)

• 240020744105 - Baby girl pink printed snowsuit (0-24 months)

• 240020746805 - Baby girl pink quilted snowsuit (0-24 months)

• 240020756074 - Toddler girls light brown print padded jacket (12 months-5 yrs)

• 240020742682 - Baby girl cream printed jacket (0-24 months)

All of these snow suits and jackets were sold by Debenhams between 6th August 2012 and 23rd November 2012.

If you have one of the affected Ted Baker snow suits or jackets you should return them to your nearest Debenhams store for a full refund

• Sainsbury's Red Tree Iced Rich Fruit Cake (900g & all date codes)

Sainsbury's is recalling their own brand Red Tree Iced Rich Fruit Cake because of mould spoilage.

If you have the affected Sainsbury's Red Tree Iced Rich Fruit Cake you should not eat it. Instead you should return it to your nearest Sainsbury's store for a full refund.

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