Ofgem, the Government regulator for gas and electricity markets in Great Britain, announced publicly on 21 September 2016 that an investigation has been launched into the sales practices of a Coventry based business, Economy Energy Trading Limited.

Economy Energy which has offices at Friars House, Manor House Drive, Coventry is a small to medium sized supplier that supplies electricity and gas to domestic customers many of whom are on pre-payment meters.

Ofgem have stated that the investigation will examine whether Economy Energy breached licence conditions which require suppliers to communicate transparently and accurately to customers when undertaking marketing and telesales activities.

The investigation has come about following concerns about its approach to recruiting new customers.

Ofgem have stressed that opening of this investigation does not imply that they have made any findings about non-compliance.

Read information on the investigation.

Last year, when Economy Energy was based in Warwickshire, Ofgem secured £250,000 from the Company following an investigation into miss-selling and poor communications by the supplier. Ofgem’s investigation found Economy Energy did not have adequate processes and procedures in place between October 2012 and December 2013 and senior management failed to ensure it was complying with the Regulator’s rules.

The £250,000 payment will go to help Citizens Advice provide energy advice to consumers. 

Full information on last year’s Ofgem investigation.

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With the holiday season coming to a close, residents' minds may now turn to making improvements to their properties.

Our advice to residents is to never buy services or goods from businesses that make contact out of the blue such as traders knocking on the door, or responding to leaflets put through your letterbox.

Unfortunately, there are many unscrupulous people who use cold calling as a method to defraud money from residents, by undertaking unnecessary or overpriced work. Often, the quality of the work is also very poor or ineffective, and it can also be difficult to make contact with the traders should there be issues in the future.

If you do need work on your property or garden, use a reputable local trader recommended by friends or family or someone who has been vetted and is part of the Age UK (Coventry) Trusted Traders Scheme. This service is available to people of all ages living in the Coventry area and can be contacted by phoning 024 7643 3982.

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A resident has alerted us to issues of persistent and very pushy doorstep sellers in the Tile Hill / Eastern Green areas of the City.

Ironically, they are offering ‘No Cold Calling’ stickers for sale and it is alleged that they are rude and unpleasant when householders decline to buy one of their notices.

Coventry Trading Standards offer a free ‘Stop Cold Calling’ sticker pack to help deal with the growing problem of unwanted callers at your door. Visit www.coventry.gov.uk/stopcoldcallers for more details or send a stamped addressed envelope to: 'Doorstep Sticker - Trading Standards', Freepost (CV681), Coventry CV1 1BR and we will send you one in the post. Please note that due to postage cost the maximum we can send out is three per stamped address envelope.  

Money Saving Expert also has a free-to-print Trading Standards-approved "no cold callers" sign. 

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Trading Standards is backing a new campaign by Financial Fraud  Action UK (FFA UK) designed to tackle financial fraud.

The campaign – Take Five - is designed to remind people that it pays to "stop and think” before they respond to any unsolicited request for  personal details either by phone, text, post or on the doorstep, in order to avoid financial fraud.

Take Five is the first national campaign to be backed by all the major banks and other financial service providers across the UK. 

You can protect yourself from financial fraud by remembering some simple advice: 

1. Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full password - it’s never okay to reveal these details.
2. Don’t assume an email request or caller is genuine - people aren’t always who they say they are.
3. Don’t be rushed – a genuine bank or organisation won’t mind waiting to give you time to stop and think.
4. Listen to your instincts – if something feels wrong then it is usually right to pause and question it.
5. Stay in control – have the confidence to refuse unusual requests for information.

With financial fraud getting ever more sophisticated, anyone can be targeted and incidents are on the increase. Trading Standards advise to always be cautious with any unsolicited approaches.

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SPAR UK is recalling a batch of its own brand Midget Gems, because they may be contaminated by small pieces of wood.

The contaminated batch being recalled is the 180 gram bags with a best before date of 31 March 2017.

Risk: The product may contain small pieces of wood which may be injurious to health if eaten.
Product details: SPAR Midget Gems
Best before date: 31/03/2017
Pack size: 180g
Batch code: B6 209-1

Advice: If you have bought the above product, do not eat it. Instead take it back to the retailer where you will be given a full refund.

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