Reports of a scam telephone caller who claimed to be from Coventry City Council in order to gain personal details have been made by a Styvechale resident.

The resident was asked for information for a NHS survey relating to an accident.

Coventry City Council would not make this kind of approach to any resident and certainly would not ask for personal information to be divulged.

We would advise that if any resident receives a similar call, do NOT give out any personal information, and hang up on the call. We are anxious for people not to be caught out, so please be on your guard for this or any other bogus caller.

You can report the call to Coventry Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06, or contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

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We have had two reports from local residents in Alderman’s Green and Allesley following unsolicited telephone cold calls claiming to be from Telephone Preference Service

Bank details to pay the ‘subscription fee’ were asked for, at which point both residents terminated the call.

The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is completely free to consumers and will not call anyone to ask for personal details or payment to complete a registration. 

Register for free at TPS Online or by calling 0345 070 0707

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Dog owners who have not had their pets microchipped could face a fine of up to £500, as a new law comes into force.

From Wednesday 6 April, all dogs in England, Scotland and Wales will legally be required to be chipped by the time they are eight weeks old.

A microchip (an implant about the size of a grain of rice) stores a dog owner's details on an electronic database, which makes it easier to reunite them with their dog if it gets lost.

While microchipping usually costs £15 - £20 at a local vet’s practice, you can currently get it done for free (although you can make a donation if you want) when you book an appointment with the charity Dogs Trust.

If you’ve no Dogs Trust Centre nearby, or you cannot get an appointment, see ChipMyDog.org for free events happening around the country.

For information and advice on buying a puppy, visit the Buying a Puppy website from the Advisory Council on the Welfare Issues of Dog Breeding

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Trading Standards have been made aware of door to door charity collections being carried out in the Coundon area.

The approach is to ask people to donate a regular amount by direct debit. Although legitimate charities do employ this technique, it is becoming less popular as people become more aware of the importance of keeping their personal information safe.

All genuine fundraisers should be wearing a properly printed ID badge, and their fundraising material should feature the charity’s name, registered number and a landline contact number. The Charity will also have had to obtain a Collections Licence from the City Council.

Information on charities can be checked by visiting charity-commission.gov.uk

Trading Standards advice to residents is as always - do not give out any personal information or bank details to any uninvited callers to your door.

If you want to support a charity then you can always make direct contact to make the necessary arrangements, or go via their webpage.

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Heron Foods is recalling its Basted Turkey Breast Joint because a production error means that some packs contain Turkey Roulette wrapped in bacon, which contains sulphur dioxide not mentioned on the packaging. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with a sensitivity to sulphur dioxide and/or sulphites.

Pack size: 615g

Best before end: November 2016

Advice: If you have bought the above product and have a sensitivity to sulphur dioxide and/or sulphites, do not eat it. Instead, return the product to a Heron Foods store for a full refund, or call their Customer Service on 0845 603 7300.

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