We first warned against this scam back in 2014 but now a local resident from the Styvechale area has reported receiving a letter claiming to be from the People's Postcode Lottery saying they had won £385,000.

The letter explains that the resident was ‘randomly selected by computer from database of the Electoral roll resident in the United Kingdom’!

To claim the ‘prize’ recipients are asked to contact the Foreign Service Manager of ‘Ultimate Finance PLC’

If contact is made, then more than likely, either an admin fee or clearance fee will be required to start the process off.

This is a clear scam and if you send any money you will get nothing in return; and if you send one payment, they will contact you again and try to con you out of even more.

Protect yourself and ask yourself how could you win a lottery if you haven't bought a ticket? Never reveal credit card or bank account details unless you're sure who you're dealing with.

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Trading Standards are advising residents to be careful when paying for work they have had done on their property.

This comes after a report from the Holyhead Road area where a resident was part way through work to replace the roof of their property.

The contract with their Trader stated that payment was to be made upon completion of the work. However, a male turned up one evening in a white van after the contractors had left for the day. He claimed he was calling on behalf of the ‘Site Manager’ and explained that payment was now due.

Thankfully the resident said they would speak to the Manager first to ask why the terms of their contract had been changed, and refused to make any payment.

A subsequent telephone call to the genuine Trader confirmed that the caller was bogus, and had no association with the company.

If you have any information that may help us track down this or any other unscrupulous cold caller 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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Collection bags for unwanted clothes, shoes and other household items are the perfect opportunity for a spring clean.

Not only will you be freeing-up some space in your home you hope you will also be donating to a good cause.

However, not all private companies and individuals behind house-to-house charitable collection bags are upfront and clear with customers about where their donations will end up.

As a result people are giving in the mistaken belief their donation will go to a charity – when what mostly happens is that only a proportion of profits from the sale of their goods will go to charity.

To combat this, new guidance has been issued by The Advertising Standards Agency which states that firms asking people to donate goods or clothes – usually by leaflets or plastic bags posted through the door – must make it clear they are commercial enterprises and where donations end up.

Companies have until 2 June 2017 to bring their Charity bag collections into line with the new guidance.

Businesses that don’t follow the guidance have been warned they face legal action.

Check a charity is legitimate by using the Charity Commission website.

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Aldi has recalled a batch of tuna steaks.

The supermarket chain has said that the Skellig Bay Yellowfin Tuna Steaks 240g contain high levels of Histamine.

Customers who purchased the tuna steaks are being advised not to eat the product as they pose a "possible health risk"

Use by dates: 05/04/2017, 13/04/17, 14/04/17, 15/04/2017, 17/04/2017.

Customers are asked to return this product to the nearest store, where a full refund will be given.

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Nestlé is recalling a batch of its KitKat Original Milk Chocolate Bites Pouch Bag because it has been mispacked with KitKat Peanut Butter Bites, which means that peanuts and nuts are not declared on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to nuts and/or peanuts.

Product: KITKAT Original Milk Chocolate Bites Pouch Bag

Pack size: 104g

Batch code: 70720457V2

Best Before end:  December 2017

Advice:If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to nuts and/or peanuts do not eat it. Instead dispose of the contents, and send the empty pack with your name and address for a full refund to:

KitKat Bites Recall, Freepost Consumer Services, Nestle UK Ltd York

Consumers wanting more information can telephone freephone: 0800 604604 (UK only)

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Important safety notice for owners of Logic HE - E-Box and E-Studio conventional flue fires only.

Gazco has identified a potential safety risk in some of their conventional flue Logic HE, E-Box and E-Studio fires made between February 2013 and October 2015. Their on-going checking has identified that after extensive use, and in certain specific circumstances, it is possible that the draught diverter plate may be able to move out of position and the appliance could cause carbon monoxide to be produced with a risk of causing poisoning to people in the room.

Gazco will be providing a free of charge product safety enhancement to be fitted to all affected fires that will permanently rectify the potential issue once it is correctly installed.

If you have one of these fires installed in your home, you are requested not to use it until the product safety enhancement kit that will be provided has been fitted. Supply information is being collated from retailers and you will be contacted to discuss the fitting of the kit as soon as possible.

See if your gas fire is one of those affected.

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