Trading Standards is warning residents to be aware of the dangers of buying goods from the back of vans.

This comes after a report from the Brade Drive area of Coventry where Samsung televisions have been offered for sale from the back of a white van in a supermarket car park.

Our advice is to never buy products from the back of a van or from unexpected doorstep callers, even if the product appears to be a bargain.

Buying such items in this way is risky as you will probably not be able to contact the trader should anything go wrong with the product. Also, the item may be stolen, unsafe or you may not get what you are shown.

Consumers are urged to only buy goods or services from businesses they know and trust.

If you have any information that may help us track down these sellers or you wish to report any incidents involving a rogue trader or doorstep crime, contact us on 03454 040506 or use our online reporting form

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We have had a report from a local resident in Allesley Park following an unsolicited telephone cold call claiming to be from the Telephone Preference Service

Bank details were requested in order to ‘renew’ the service which had apparently lapsed. Personal information such as date of birth details were also asked for at which point, the resident 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 0845 070 0707.

Read information from the TPS about such scams.

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Coventry Trading Standards is again warning the public to be wary of bogus telephone calls claiming to be from HMRC.

There have been a number of reports countrywide of attempted HMRC frauds starting with a telephone call or recorded message rather than the more typical email or scam texts.

A resident in the Westwood area has reported receiving a recorded message in which they were advised that HMRC were filing a lawsuit against them and to press 1 to speak to an advisor.

Thankfully the resident realised that this was a scam and hung up on the call. It would appear that this was an attempt to obtain personal information which would have included bank details.

This latest scam is being investigated by HMRC’s fraud section. HMRC has published advice with genuine HMRC contacts and how to recognise scams.

HMRC also advise that if any details are inadvertently disclosed, contact them immediately on security.custcon@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.

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This consumer safety initiative aims to encourage more people to register their appliances, to improve ownership data in case a safety repair is needed, or a recall is issued.

The Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA) Register My Appliance portal offers owners a simple way to register all of the appliances they have purchased over the last 12 years. The portal is currently used by 45 leading brands, including the UK’s major white goods manufacturers.

All AMDEA members are backing this drive to improve the traceability of products, as an essential element to facilitate the recall process.

A YouGov survey, carried out by AMDEA in December 2015, found that only 36% of GB adults register all of their large domestic appliances, which leaves thousands of owners untraceable if a modification or recall is required.

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New Covent Garden Soup Co. is recalling its Skinny Goan Spiced Chicken soup because it contains mustard, which is not declared on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to mustard.

Product: New Covent Garden Skinny Goan Spiced Chicken Soup
Pack size: 600g and 700g
Use by Date: All dates up to 19 February 2017

Advice: If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to mustard, do not eat it. Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.

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B&M is recalling its Mini Cream Cookies (various flavours) because they contain wheat, milk, soya and sulphites which are not correctly declared on the labels. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to these foods.

Product: Mini Cream 10 Pack Biscuits
Pack size: 35 grams
Net Weight: 350 grams
Use By Date: 15/05/2017
Lot number: 01 

Advice: If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to wheat, milk and/or soya, and/or an intolerance to gluten and/or milk constituents and/or a sensitivity to sulphites, do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.

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