Latest News
Latest News from the Isle of Wight Trading Standards Service can be found here.
Recall of tropical seed bracelets
The bracelets have been on sale in the Eden Project's shops for around a year
The Eden Project has withdrawn from sale bracelets which are decorated with a potentially lethal tropical seed.
The red and black bracelets contain a seed called abrus precatorius. It contains the toxin abrin, a controlled substance under the Terrorism Act that if swallowed can kill in doses of just 3 micrograms.
Eden is asking anyone who bought such a bracelet from the Eden Shop in the past year to return it for a refund.
Mr Rowe said he believed a number of other outlets in the UK were also selling the bracelet, from company Rainstick Trading, which was based in Suffolk.
Anyone who has bought one of these bracelets should bag them and then wash their hands and avoid touching their eyes, then contact the Trading Standards Service on 823370.
Tobacco Vending Machines
From 1 October 2011, it will be illegal to sell cigarettes (or any other tobacco product) from an automatic vending machine in England to any person, regardless of their age.
It will also be against the law to display advertisements or pictures of tobacco products on vending machines. The current exemption allowing advertisements on vending machines will no longer apply, more details ...
Latest Scams
Mailing purports to be from a long lost relative living in China
The Isle of Wight Trading Standards Service has recently been sent a large amount of scam mailings received by Island residents. The mailing purports to be from a long lost wealthy distant relative living in China. The person has no other living relatives and has recently been diagnosed with a terminal illness and wishes to make you sole beneficiary of their will.
This type of scam is very common and we strongly advise never to respond.
If you have received one of these scam letters or something similar and need advise please contact Trading Standards on 823370 or report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
Warning over bogus cash voucher scam
Police are warning people about a scam reported on the Isle of Wight.
A man received a phone call from someone pretending to work for the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). The caller claimed that they owed £2,500 to the man and that someone would visit him to hand over a cheque. The man was also told to obtain a U Cash voucher for £500 to cover the tax on the money they are owed. Nearby shops and stores were recommended as outlets to buy U Cash vouchers. Once he had purchased this U Cash voucher, someone involved in the scam would visit the victim, give him an apparent cheque for £2,500, and collect the genuine £500 U Cash voucher.
Further enquiries have established that if the scam is successful, any victims would find that the £2,500 cheque bounces, and they would have lost £500.
Investigating officer PC Jeff Rogers of the West Wight Safer Neighbourhoods team said: “Thankfully on this occasion, the intended victim was suspicious and discovered the call was a scam when he contacted the real Office of Fair Trading to check whether the offer was genuine. The phone call was made from a London number and we remain concerned that other people may be duped by this scam.”
“Police have alerted nearby shops and Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators this week. We’re also issuing this warning and advice through the media. Anyone who receives such a call should ask first for the name of the person phoning, where they’re calling from, and their phone number. If you think you are being targeted, ask the caller for as many details regarding the company as possible including its address.”
“Do not give out any information, and do not hesitate to call back the company to confirm whether the request is genuine. Where possible, dial 1471 after the call has ended to find out if the caller’s number can be obtained."
Anyone concerned that they have been targeted by a scam can contact either Isle of Wight Council’s Trading Standards by phoning 01983 821000 or the police by phoning 101 or 0845 045 45 45.
A man received a phone call from someone pretending to work for the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). The caller claimed that they owed £2,500 to the man and that someone would visit him to hand over a cheque. The man was also told to obtain a U Cash voucher for £500 to cover the tax on the money they are owed. Nearby shops and stores were recommended as outlets to buy U Cash vouchers. Once he had purchased this U Cash voucher, someone involved in the scam would visit the victim, give him an apparent cheque for £2,500, and collect the genuine £500 U Cash voucher.
Further enquiries have established that if the scam is successful, any victims would find that the £2,500 cheque bounces, and they would have lost £500.
Investigating officer PC Jeff Rogers of the West Wight Safer Neighbourhoods team said: “Thankfully on this occasion, the intended victim was suspicious and discovered the call was a scam when he contacted the real Office of Fair Trading to check whether the offer was genuine. The phone call was made from a London number and we remain concerned that other people may be duped by this scam.”
“Police have alerted nearby shops and Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators this week. We’re also issuing this warning and advice through the media. Anyone who receives such a call should ask first for the name of the person phoning, where they’re calling from, and their phone number. If you think you are being targeted, ask the caller for as many details regarding the company as possible including its address.”
“Do not give out any information, and do not hesitate to call back the company to confirm whether the request is genuine. Where possible, dial 1471 after the call has ended to find out if the caller’s number can be obtained."
Anyone concerned that they have been targeted by a scam can contact either Isle of Wight Council’s Trading Standards by phoning 01983 821000 or the police by phoning 101 or 0845 045 45 45.
Door step top-up scam
Energy companies have uncovered a doorstep scam which seems to offer cheaper electricity meter top-ups but actually results in consumers paying twice. In response, energy companies together with Consumer Focus have launched a national campaign, “Top up Safe”, urging electricity prepayment meter customers to buy top-up only through official channels. An estimated 85,000 households have been affected already. Customers of all of the leading energy companies (British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON, npower, Scottish Power and SSE) are affected.
Criminals are using cloned keys to top up credit illegally. Some people are being offered £50 of electricity meter top-up for a cash payment of just £25. But energy companies can always detect when they have not received payment for electricity used and any customer buying top-up from a criminal will end up paying twice, first to the criminal and then to their energy supplier. Only the criminal will benefit.
A national industry communications campaign has been launched with a prominent warning message on the receipts issued when customer buy electricity top-up from official outlets – PayPoint, Payzone and The Post Office. Companies never sell electricity top-up door-to-door. Companies are currently telephoning and writing to customers to alert them to the dangers. There is evidence of serious and organised criminal activity and Trading Standards urge consumers not to become involved in such purchases.
Know your Consumer Rights Campaign
The Office of Fair Trading continues to raise awareness of consumers’ rights relating to the Sale of Goods Act under the Know your Consumer Rights Campaign
Energy firms agree to respect consumers who say no to cold callers
After a lengthy campaign by energy watchdog Consumer Focus and the Trading Standards Institute the big six energy companies have stated that they will now respect the wishes of the people who live in recognised ‘no cold calling zones’ or display signs saying no to cold callers. This became part of the EnergySure Code of practice in October 2010. The 6 Energy companies involved are EDF, E.ON, npower, Centrica, Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern Energy.
The Island has several No Cold Calling Zones and the residents in these areas will have been supplied with stickers and information by their local Parish or Town Council who have been supported by the Trading Standards Service and the Police when deciding to create zones in their areas.
No Cold Caller signs are a good way to say no. If you have got a no cold caller sign and someone knocks, you can simply point at it and say “please read the sign and go away”.
If you do not have a sign the following link will take you to a sign which is endorsed by the Trading Standards Institute.
Please click here to download a free printable ‘No Cold Callers’ sign from the Trading Standards Institute & Money Saving Expert.
Please click here to download a No Cold Calling sticker from the Isle of Wight Trading Standards Service.
For more information on No Cold Calling Zones please click here.
Page last updated on: 25/01/2012
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