News and Scam Alerts from Coventry Trading Standards - 26 September 2019

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

News and Scam Alerts from Coventry Trading Standards - 26 September 2019

In this issue:

National News: Suffolk Trading Standards has issued a warning after reports of scammers impersonating Thomas Cook

Male

Suffolk Trading Standards has issued a warning to phone users following a spate of scam phone calls from people impersonating Thomas Cook employees.

The cruel scam comes following the holiday company's collapse on Monday 23 September.

It is said that multiple people have been called and asked for their bank details, including their three-digit security code on their bank card.

In a statement, the consumer advice organisation said: "We've had multiple reports of residents receiving telephone calls from someone purporting to be from Thomas Cook.

"The caller advises that they are calling to refund their holiday payment, and that to do so they require the recipient's bank card details, including the 3-digit card security code.

"No Thomas Cook employee will be calling those affected by the company collapse. Refunds will be issued by the CAA, and they will not start being processed until 30 September."

Top of page

Amazon Prime phone call scam alert

telephone

Coventry Trading Standards is issuing a warning to residents to be wary of bogus telephone messages claiming to be from Amazon Prime after several reports from across the city.

The message states: “This is about your Amazon Prime Subscription which will be renewed at £39.95….

If you do not wish to renew, talk to an Amazon customer service representative by pressing ‘1’ now”

It would appear that these are attempts to obtain personal information which would include bank details and name and address verification, and the ‘customer service representative’ will be no more than a scammer.

If you receive any cold call in the form of a pre-recorded message, Trading Standards advise not to press any keys on your phone but instead hang up on the call.

If you have received one of these cold calls which you believe to be a scam you can report it to Action Fraud via their online fraud reporting form or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Top of page

Food Standards Agency Advice: British Lion Eggs - several batches

eggs

The following notice has been issued by the Food Standards Agency (FSA):

FSA is issuing precautionary egg safety and handling advice to consumers in relation to a limited number of British Lion Eggs with flock code 1UK11871 and three best-before dates because a very small number of these eggs may be contaminated with salmonella.

Affected eggs can be identified by the unique flock code (1UK11871) and the best-before date stamped on each egg. Only the eggs with this code and best-before dates listed below are affected.

Product details
UK Lion Code Class A eggs; flock code 1UK11871
Pack size: all sizes
Best-before dates: 22 September 2019, 23 September 2019 and 24 September 2019

Advice to consumers
We are issuing precautionary advice to consumers who have purchased the eggs listed above to help avoid any potential, though low risk of illness.

As a precaution, consumers are advised to cook these eggs thoroughly, as this will eliminate salmonella.

Consumers are advised to always follow good hygiene and egg handling practices when using eggs including:

  • storing eggs in the fridge until use
  • using eggs by the best-before date
  • cleaning surfaces and kitchen equipment effectively after use
  • washing hands thoroughly before and after handling of eggs

Further information on salmonella and handling eggs is available on the FSA's website.

Top of page

Recall: Pipers Crisps

crisps

Pipers Crisps Ltd has taken the precautionary step of recalling two varieties of crisps because they may contain Listeria monocytogenes.

Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea. Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems.

Products affected:

  • Pipers Angelsey Sea Salt
  • Pipers Karnataka Black Pepper & Sea Salt

If you have bought any of the above products, do not eat them. Instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund (with or without a receipt).

Top of page

For more information on scams, visit: www.coventry.gov.uk/scams

How to report scams