The long Bank Holiday weekend can be an opportunity for rogues to catch more people at home and offer work.

Rogue traders are individuals or groups of people who cold-call householders, often targeting vulnerable residents, claiming to be a bona fide business and purporting to offer services, most commonly gardening services, buildings maintenance and roof repair.

Our advice is to be on your guard for such unsolicited approaches, and to stay vigilant especially if you have vulnerable or elderly people living nearby who may be potential targets.

If you didn't arrange for a visit, politely decline any offers of work and close your door. Be firm, as rogue traders are in the habit of turning up in the evenings and at weekends and often more than once to try put pressure on people. These individuals will soon move on if their source of work – and income – dries up.

The Police are also issuing warnings to householders about the dangers of leaving windows wide open in the warmer weather, especially at night.

You can protect your personal property by registering your property with, www.imobilise.com. This free online checking service is used thousands of times each day by UK Police forces to trace owners of lost and stolen property.

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Trading Standards are warning residents to be alert to cold callers at the door and/or on the telephone offering spray foam insulation.

This is after a Bell Green resident reported having a cold call at the doorstep from a company who claimed they needed to carry out a compulsory inspection of the loft. The resident was advised this was in conjunction with a Government initiative and the loft would be graded as red, amber or green. The inspection was free but if it was left for another date, there would be a charge, and also the resident could be fined.

Thankfully the resident shut the door and did not engage further with the caller.

Whilst seeking to make your home energy efficient is a good thing and might help you to reduce your energy bills, there are also lots of scams associated with energy saving products. Some unscrupulous traders may use the offer of 'free' insulation or a 'Government Initiative' to convince homeowners to sign up to energy efficiency measures that might not be appropriate for their property and may end up costing them money.

Rogue traders operating in the home insulation industry are also known to find other 'problems' that they can charge residents for when in reality no work is necessary.

Trading Standards advise residents never to agree to work that is instigated as a result of a cold call or via a leaflet drop. 

If a 'Government Initiative' is mentioned, do your research and check to see if it is genuine first.

If you want to know more about what is available by way of insulation grants check the City Councils Warmer Homes in Coventry scheme.

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Trading Standards is warning of a new fake invoice scam after a report from a resident in Radford.

The invoice, which originates from the Czech Republic, makes claim that the recipient has used adult chat lines and the invoice is the bill for these services.

The letter goes on to say that a charge of £75.00 must be paid within 8 days or a default notice will be issued.

These invoices are fake and designed to shock the recipient in to parting with both money and bank details. 

PHISHING letters are like the fraudulent emails that are sent out once in a while. They want people to pay or divulge their bank or personal details.

Trading Standards advice is: 

• DO NOT RESPOND.
• DO NOT PAY.
• DO NOT GIVE OUT ANY DETAILS.

Be alert. If you should receive one of these letters, do not be alarmed and simply discard it.

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The following notice has been issued by GAME:

SAFETY RECALL NOTICE

Charge Worx USB Wall Charger

Models: CX3111BK, CX3111BL, CX3111GN, CX3111WH, CX2602BK, CX2602BL

Barcodes: 643620311004, 643620311028, 643620311035, 643620311165, 643620260104, 643620260128

The safety of our customers is very important to us, so we are recalling the above products as they do not meet the required standards and there is a risk of electric shock if handled incorrectly.

There have been no reports of injuries or incidents and we are taking this action as a precaution.

These items were sold in stores between 01/05/2017 and 23/02/2018 in various colours as above, both individually and as part of a package with a car adaptor (the car adaptor is safe to use).

If you have bought one of these items please discontinue use immediately as a precaution.

Please visit your local GAME store where they will be happy to provide you with a refund.

GAME Retail Ltd. Unity house, Telford Rd, Basingstoke, RG21 6YJ
www.game.co.uk

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The following notice has been issued by the European Commission:

Category: Childcare articles and children's equipment

Product: Children's booster seat

Brand: Venture

Name: Three Stage Booster Seat

Type / number of model: Mini Booster Seat

Batch number / barcode: 50700461909323

Risk type: Injuries, suffocation

The booster seat has an inadequate locking mechanism, restraining and chair attachment system. A child may fall off the seat and suffer injuries.

Moreover, the plastic packaging of the product is too large and too thin without being perforated: If a child plays with the packaging, the plastic can cover the mouth and nose, causing the child to suffocate.

The product does not comply with the relevant European standard EN 16120.

Measures taken by economic operators: Warning consumers of the risks (By: Importer)

Description: Booster seat for children between six and 36 months (maximum weight of 15kg), designed to be fitted to a chair. Packaged in a cardboard box.

Country of origin: China

Alert submitted by: United Kingdom

Risk level: Serious

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