Vale of Glamorgan Trading Standards

With an approximate population of 120,000 in the Vale, our service impacts on every resident and commercial organisation in the county. Our purpose is to promote, maintain and ensure a fair and equitable trading environment whilst protecting the interests of consumers and local businesses alike.

February 2013

Office of Fair Trading warns of PPI compensation scam

The OFT is aware that over recent weeks people have been telephoned by an individual claiming to be from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and told that the OFT can pay them compensation for mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance (PPI). This is untrue.

Consumers are being told that on payment of an administration fee, usually between £100 and £400, the OFT will send them a compensation payment of several thousand pounds. They are then asked to obtain an electronic cash voucher and text it to an 0203 telephone number.

An electronic voucher works by either going to a shop or going on line and paying for a voucher with a code number that you can then text to whoever you want. They can then use it to pay for goods.

If they do this the consumer receives nothing - the electronic voucher is untraceable and irrecoverable.

Advice from the OFT:

The OFT never calls people in this way and has no remit to give compensation to members of the public on PPI or any other matter.
Be very wary if you are asked to pay an upfront fee for anything that you have not asked for.
If you are not sure do not agree to send money or give any personal or bank details.
Many vouchers and electronic payment vouchers are untraceable and irrecoverable, making them highly attractive payment methods to fraudsters. Treat them and use them as you would use cash.
If you are caught out, report the matter to the police.

Further advice:

The Financial Ombudsman Service can provide advice on PPI claims. Visit www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk, call 0800 0234567 or write to
The Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR

To report an incident contact the police at www.actionfraud.police.uk, call 0300 1232040 or contact your local police station.

General consumer advice is available from the Citizens Advice consumer service providing free, confidential and impartial advice on consumer issues. Visit www.adviceguide.org.uk or call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 08454 04 05 06.

January 2013

Horse trader's son given ASBO after Vale Council investigation

Thomas Hope Price, son of Tom Price (senior), has received an Interim Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO), after continued issues of fly-grazing and straying horses in the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend County Borough.

Thomas Hope Price, of Glamorgan Horse Traders Ltd, received the interim ASBO on Tuesday, 28 January 2013, following excellent partnership work between the Vale of Glamorgan Trading Standards Department, Bridgend Trading Standards and South Wales Police.

Principal Trading Standards officer for the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Christina Roberts-Kinsey, said: "We will continue to work on tackling these issues and I hope the introduction of the conditions will address any remaining problems in the area.

"The order has been made in the same terms as the order relating to Mr Tom Price (senior); namely that both individuals must not allow animals owned by them, or under their care or control, to stray on the highway and also from keeping horses on land without a valid written legal agreement of the landowner.

"They have also been prevented from selling, or transferring ownership, of a horse which is not correctly identified, where the details have not been updated with his ownership details."

Superintendent and Police Commander for Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan, Paul James, said: "This is another example of positive partnership working to resolve the issues faced within the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend County Borough. This ASBO demonstrates that police along with our partner agencies, are tackling anti-social behaviour within our communities and are getting tougher on those who display this type of behaviour.

"Breach of this Anti-Social Behaviour Order carries serious penalties. The community’s help in letting us know when these orders are broken is vital to their success."

Car accident scam

A recently reported scam concerns telephone calls from con artists who attempt to gain bank and personal details from victims by claiming they are entitled to compensation following a road traffic collision.

The usual technique is to contact victims on a withheld number from overseas and tell them they know the victim has been in a car accident in the last few years and that they are eligible to claim compensation. The caller has very few details of the 'accident' and are often quite insistent. They are unwilling to disclose details of the 'accident' due to the Data Protection Act. Often a fake website address or mail address is given to potential victims to check the authenticity of the company.

Residents are reminded to never divulge bank or personal details unless they are certain they are dealing with a genuine organisation. Never be pressured or persuaded into releasing personal details to a suspicious caller.

December 2012

Fake Shipping Scam

Vale Trading Standards are warning businesses to be particularly vigilant when receiving orders from overseas which may be connected to a shipping scam currently in operation.

The scam generally operates in the following way:

The business is contacted by an overseas company (often based in Ghana) by a poorly spelt and constructed email from a generic gmail or a yahoo account.
The scammer, sometimes purporting to be a religious minister places a large order of goods or materials which will be required to be delivered overseas.
The reason for purchase is often for some charitable concern to gain sympathy from the business supplying the items.
The scammer will then ask to use their ‘fake’ preferred shipping company (AGC Delivery International, Ox Direct Shippers or Cargo Trust Shipping Freight Co etc) to transport the product and requests that the business arrange and pay for this direct. The business is told that they will be reimbursed the delivery costs by credit card, cheque or money order.
After the business had paid the delivery company, they are distraught to discover that the scammers credit card, cheque or money order cannot be processed, leaving the business with thousands of pounds of delivery costs and wasted goods.

A Vale Spokesperson says “Scams such as these cost hardworking businesses millions of pounds a year. It is important that businesses are watchful of any suspicious trading practices or orders for goods that seem too good to be true. Education and awareness of these scams is extremely important as often once the money is paid overseas it is extremely difficult to retrieve”

If you have been a victim of a scam and wish to report it please contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Information on other types of business scams can be found on our Trading Standards page.

November 2012

Local horse trader given ASBO

A horse trader has received an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO)after allowing his horses to fly-graze and stray onto roads causing a danger to road users and harassment and distress to members of the public across the Vale of Glamorgan.

Tom Price, of Glamorgan Horse Traders Ltd, received the ASBO on Friday 9 November 2012, following excellent partnership working with the Vale of Glamorgan Trading Standards Department and South Wales Police.

Principal trading standards officer for the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Christina Roberts-Kinsey, said: "I hope the introduction of the conditions will address the issues faced in the Vale of Glamorgan.

"I am pleased to advise that Mr Price has been prevented from allowing animals owned by him, or under his care or control, to stray on the highway and also from keeping horses on land without a valid written legal agreement of the land owner.

"He has also been prevented from selling, or transfering ownership, of a horse which is not correctly identified, where the details have not been updated with his ownership details."

PC Mike Hawkes, anti-social behaviour co-ordinator for the Vale of Glamorgan said: “Our positive action in securing this ASBO demonstrates that police in the Vale of Glamorgan, along with our partner agencies, are tackling anti-social behaviour within our communities and are getting tougher on those who display this type of behaviour.

“If Tom Price breaches this order, he will be arrested and placed before the courts. We urge the public and local residents to contact the police if they see Mr Price in breach of any of the conditions of his ASBO. The community’s help in letting us know when these orders are broken is vital to their success.”

National Consumer Week 2012 "Cold calling - dont buy it"

National Consumer Week 2012 will be launching 12 November from the Age UK headquarters in London.

The theme this year is 'cold calling - don't buy it' to empower the most vulnerable consumers to say no to cold calling doorstep traders and stay safe in their homes.

Full details of the campaign and downloadable materials can be found on the Trading Standards Institute website.

If you would like a weatherproof door sign to display please contact Trading Standards on 01446 709105 or email tscomplaints@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

October 2012

The Little Book of Big Scams

Every year billions of pounds are lost by the British public to scammers. Prevention through awareness is fundamental in tackling the problem.

The Little Book of Big Scams, produced by the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Sterling, aims to assist by providing the public with information and guidance on current scams and actively aims to prevent fraud.

The publication is free to download and distribution is actively encouraged in order to tackle this often devastating crime. Vale residents are encouraged to pass the information on to vulnerable or elderly members of the community who may benefit from this information.

If you are unable to print this information yourself and would like Trading Standards to mail you a copy*, please contact the department on 01446 709105 or email tscomplaints@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.

The Little Book of Big Scams

*Please note, we are only able to send one copy of this publication per household.

August 2012

Don’t die of ignorance whilst camping this summer

With the summer now in full swing, Vale Trading Standards are reminding the public not to use or leave smouldering barbeques inside their tents, caravans or other enclosed spaces due to the risk of Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

This warning follows several tragic deaths and accidents in the UK in recent years due where campers have taken the items into or near the tent for warmth due to cold and wet weather conditions.

Barbecues produce CO fumes even when they are working well or after the flames have long gone. The colourless odourless gas is highly poisonous and can kill quickly. Symptoms of CO poisoning include flu like

symptoms such as:

Headaches
Nausea
Vomiting
Drowsiness
Weakness
Irregular breathing

Consumers are urged to read the product safety instructions and to always light outside in a ventilated area where the fumes can escape. Carbon monoxide detectors are not designed for use inside tents and will not offer protection unless in the home.

A vale spokesperson commented “Sadly, even after recent tragic events, many people are still unaware of the risks posed by carbon monoxide from barbeques. Please, never take barbeques inside a tent or caravan even if it looks extinguished. If you are cold whilst camping bring extra clothing or blankets, the risk is simply not worth your life and that of your family”

Anyone who suspects they are suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning while inside a tent or other enclosed area should go outside and seek medical help from a qualified healthcare professional or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

June 2012

Vale Trading Standards ask residents to be vigilant after spate of dumped horse carcases.

Vale of Glamorgan Council Trading Standards department are asking local residents and those within the farming and equine communities to be vigilant after a recent spate of equine carcases being dumped within the county.

Principal Trading Standards Officer Christina Roberts-Kinsey said "the illegal dumping of carcases will not be tolerated within the Vale of Glamorgan. The discovery of these carcases is highly upsetting for members of our community. Trading Standards will make every effort to identify the owner and those responsible for the unlawful dumping of these carcases".

If anyone has any information regarding the above matter, please contact Trading Standards on 01446 709105. All matters will be dealt with in the utmost confidence.

Not disposing of deceased livestock via the correct route is an offence and anyone found in breach will be prosecuted.

For further information regarding the correct disposal of animal livestock please see our advice leafet:

Guidance on the disposal of animal by-products and carcases.

Barry man ordered to pay nearly £30,000 for selling counterfeit designer clothing

A Barry man has been ordered to pay nearly £30,000 following the first Proceeds of Crime Act application by the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Trading Standards team.

Matthew Knight, of Tan y Fron, Barry, pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court to 16 breaches of the Trade Marks Act 1994. Two further charges of running a fraudulent business were dropped.

Knight admitted using two eBay accounts to sell counterfeit Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister and Ruehl clothing to unsuspecting members of the public.

Following a test purchase from his eBay account, officers from Trading Standards and Scambusters executed a warrant at his home address and seized computer equipment, documentation and over 80 items of counterfeit clothing.

Knight made no checks on the goods to check their authenticity and the Crown Court judge stated in his sentencing that this case "should be a stark lesson to anyone to make appropriate checks on the merchandise you sell."

Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Trading Standards Neil Moore said: “We will not stand by and let innocent people get ripped off by sellers advertising fake goods which consumers think are real. Selling these goods is illegal."

Principal Trading Standards Officer Christina Roberts-Kinsey said: “We want to support genuine traders and protect customers from these criminals. Counterfeit goods have recognised links to organised crime and their sale and proliferation must be curtailed."

Anyone with concerns about fake and counterfeit items being sold in the Vale of Glamorgan should contact the council’s Trading Standards team on 01446 709105 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

May 2012

Guidance to Traders during the Olympic Torch Relay & Games

On the 26^th May 2012, the Olympic Torch passes through the Vale of Glamorgan.

It is anticipated that many people will line the streets to witness this historic event and both the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Whilst it is hoped that communities get fully involved, Trading Standards are offering guidance to businesses during the Olympics.

There are issues with the use of certain terms and symbols relating to the Olympics that businesses need to be aware of.

Prohibited Symbols include:

The use (for commercial purposes) of the Olympic rings.
Paralympic agitos.
The London 2012 logos
Use of the two mascots, Wenlock and Mandeville.

Prohibited terms include the words:

Olympic
Olympian
Olympiad
Paralympic
Paralympian
Paralympiad
Their plurals, translations and anything similar to them.

For example, a retailer offering for sale an ‘Olympic Sandwich’ or printing T shirts with with Olympic logo without consent may be committing a criminal offence.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games has had to raise the hundreds of millions of pounds necessary to organise and host the Games from the Private Sector – by selling sponsorship, official merchandise and tickets. The value of the London 2012 brand is therefore crucial to LOCOG’s funding.

It is hoped that retailers will want to enjoy the added value that the Olympics and Paralympics bring to Wales and that they will fully embrace the guidance provided.

Should you have any queries in relation to your business and the Olympics or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact Trading Standards or The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

April 2012

Important Product Recall - Hyundai and Synergy Vacuum Cleaners

The following notice has been issued by the retailer:

CUSTOMER NOTICE

IMPORTANT PRODUCT RECALL

Vacuum Cleaners

Product Codes:
PLU 256749 HYUNDAI 1200W CYCLONIC VAC
PLU 249368 SYNERGY 1200W/1400W CYCLONIC VAC

A quality problem has been identified with a small amount of the above vacuum cleaners which reportedly have been known to overheat, emitting black smoke and eventually combusting into flames. As a result they have been taken off sale and as a precaution we are recalling those already sold. If you have one of the affected vacuum cleaners, please stop using it immediately.

Customers who have purchased any of these vacuum cleaners should return it immediately to any Poundstretcher store where a full refund will be given. A receipt is not necessary.

WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE CAUSED
THIS RECALL DOES NOT AFFECT ANY OTHER PRODUCT

January 2012

'Microsoft' Scam Continues

Vale Trading Standards are once again warning Vale residents to beware of calls from people falsely claiming to be Microsoft computer security engineers after a spate of complaints.

The scammers, who have foreign accents, advise that Microsoft has received reports of a risk of a computer security threat and go on to offer free security checks. They refer to their victims by name which adds to the authenticity.

The fraudsters then request remote access to the computer.

This gives them access to personal information held on the computer, including account log-in information and bank details, which can be used to commit fraud. Victims may also pay for any remedial work allegedly done by the fraudsters.

Vale Trading Standards are offering the following advice to consumers:

Be suspicious of unsolicited calls related to a security problem, even if they claim to represent a respected company. Microsoft tech support NEVER cold call customers.
Never provide personal information, such as credit card or bank details, to an unsolicited caller even if you are given a telephone number to call back to verify the caller.
Do not go to a website, type anything into a computer, install software or follow any other instruction from unsolicited callers.
Take the caller’s information down and pass it to the authorities
Use up-to-date versions of your operating and application software
Make sure security updates are installed regularly
Use a strong password and change it regularly
Make sure the firewall is turned on and that antivirus software is installed and up to date

To help reduce the number of unsolicited calls, consumers can register for the Telephone Preference Service on 0845 070 0707. For further information or to report a call, residents can contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Vale of Glamorgan Council

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