Trading Standards are advising local engineering and building firms to be on their guard after a report from a Binley based business that have been caught out by a tool sharpening service.

The business was approached by way of an unannounced visit where the traders entered via the rear of the business. A verbal agreement was made regarding the provision of the service and a price agreed.

Tools were taken away for sharpening and returned the next day when a highly inflated invoice was produced. The work was reported to be sub-standard and the traders intimidated members of staff until a negotiated price was paid.

After leaving the premises, the traders continued the intimidation by a barrage of phone calls demanding the additional monies and making veiled threats should this not be paid.

Trading Standards advise that if you run a business or firm that openly uses power tools, please be aware of this. If you are approached, decline the offer of the service but report to us via the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06.

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Trading Standards has learnt this week that Emperor Windows Ltd of 1 Aintree Close, Coventry, CV6 5QD have ceased trading.

The premises are shut and a note on the outside of the building provides contact details for the Insolvency Practitioner, Seneca.

Seneca have confirmed that a Meeting of Creditors is due to take place on 21 July 2016, after which the company could be officially placed into liquidation.

All unsecured creditors such as customers and suppliers will need to register a claim with the Insolvency Practitioner. When you register, you’ll be added to the list of creditors.

Unfortunately, often customers may receive nothing, or very little, depending on how much money can be salvaged by the accountants as secured creditors will be paid first.

We would strongly advise those who are affected to contact Seneca on 01629 761 700, or email: enquiries@seneca-ip.co.uk.

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The Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro begin on 6 August 2016 and as of late June, you have been able to purchase tickets from the Rio 2016 ticket offices.  

Trading Standards are warning that purchasing from an unauthorised seller or a ticket tout could leave you out of pocket; not only are the tickets advertised at inflated prices, but there is also a risk that the tickets purchased are counterfeit or do not exist. Any individual with a counterfeit ticket will be refused entry.

• When purchasing from another company or individual, ask questions; specifically when you will receive the ticket and what type of ticket you are purchasing.
• Pay for tickets by using a credit card or trusted payment service. Payments made by bank transfer may not be recoverable.
• Always check that the payment screen is secure by looking for the padlock symbol or making sure the website/url begins with “https”.

To help protect yourself, the list of authorised sellers has been published on the official website and provides a list of trusted resellers. This can be found at www.rio2016.com. Equally, tickets purchased that are no longer needed can be sold through the Rio 2016 website for a 100% reimbursement of the amount paid if the tickets are resold.

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Trading standards are warning people selling their vehicles online to watch out for scammers after a Wyken resident nearly became victim to a ‘car shipping’ scam.

The resident had advertised the vehicle for sale online, and received an email from a potential buyer who claimed to be living in Ireland. An offer of £50 over the asking price plus an additional £500 to cover shipping fees was made. This was on the proviso that the resident arranged shipping and paid for it firstly from their own money. An alleged email from Paypal confirmed that all the money was in a holding account and would be forwarded once shipment was confirmed.

Had the resident not decided to check the authenticity of the email with Paypal, who confirmed it was fraudulent, at best they would have  lost £500, but at worst, they could have lost their vehicle as well.

This is a typical example of an Advanced Fee Fraud whereby fraudsters attempt to trick the potential victim into paying monies upfront.

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Aquarian is recalling its Tropical Flake Food and Goldfish Flake Food products with various ‘best before’ dates as a precautionary measure.

Risk: 

There is a risk to consumers handling the products due to the possible presence of Salmonella in the products listed below. Symptoms caused by Salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

Product Details:

Product: Aquarian Goldfish Flake 25g
Item no: AL396
Batch code: 623E1THO10
Best before date: 10 June 2019

Product: Aquarian Goldfish Flake 50g
Item no: AL403
Batch code: 624A1THO10 / 624B1THO10 / 625A1THO10
Best before date: 13 June 2019 / 14 June 2019 / 20June 2019

Product: Aquarian Tropical Fish Flake 50g
Item no: AL388
Batch code: 624B1THO10 / 624C1THO10 / 625A1THO10
Best before date: 14 June 2019 / 15 June 2019 / 20 June 2019

Advice: 

Consumers who have purchased any of the above products are requested not to use it and to contact the Consumer Care team on 0800 952 0083. Only the products mentioned above with the ‘best before’ dates are affected and will not affect the health of the fish.

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