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In this issue:
You may be one of the many people who have
received pop-up alerts on your mobile phone saying your device is infected with
a virus. The message may appear whilst visiting websites and are typically
programmed to try and get you to click on a link and download software. You
should NEVER click on pop-up anti-virus alerts.
Scammers may use similar sounding names of
well-known companies that specialise in computer software in an attempt to gain
your trust and the pop-up adverts may mimic genuine warning alerts generated
by mobile security software but the offer of a "free scan" in
pop-up alerts often do not work or may actually infect your mobile device!
There may also be a charge for the download which
will require payment card details. The scammer may then be able to gather personal information to steal your identity or to sell it to other
criminals.
Protect yourself: NEVER click on pop-up
alerts! Don't even click on the cross to delete the pop-up alert as this may
result in more pop-ups. Instead, use the back button on your mobile device to
return to the previous screen, or use the task manager function to close the browser from the list of running
programs. Do some research and keep your mobile device updated with the
latest anti-virus and security software, many of which are free. Websites
such as PC Advisor or a reputable one for your mobile device operating system
(Android, iPhone, Windows, etc) often test and review legitimate anti-virus and
security software. Finally, you can minimise the chance of receiving such pop
ups by avoiding questionable websites.
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 Coventry Trading Standards are highlighting a
warning to consumers from the Food Standards Agency after counterfeit Glen’s
Vodka was discovered on sale in several parts of the UK.
The counterfeit bottles can be identified by
spelling mistakes on the front and rear labels which are:
- On the front label the word “bottled” is
misspelt in the text “Produced and botteled in Great Britain”
- On the rear label below the text ‘'ENJOY
GLEN’S VODKA RESPONSIBLY” the counterfeit bottles carry the web address
“D-RINKAWARE.CO.UK” as opposed to genuine bottles that carry the correct
website “DRINKAWARE.CO.UK”
If you see any examples of this counterfeit Glen’s
Vodka on sale in Coventry please DO NOT purchase it and report it to us via our
partners the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 as soon as
possible.
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 Even
Trading Standards are not immune from receiving scams! In the past week we have
received a couple of emails claiming to be from Facebook saying we
had new notifications to view. However, Coventry Trading Standards does not
have its own Facebook page!
Our advice: don’t click any of the links in the
email or open any attachments. Facebook also advise that they would never ask you for your password in an email or send
you a password as an attachment.
When in doubt, Facebook advises to log onto your
account using your web browser to get to www.facebook.com and check the official Facebook Pages or App Pages to check for any
notifications etc.
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 Be aware of a number of phishing emails claiming to
be from the ‘support team’ at LinkedIn. The emails typically states: ‘Due to
irregular activities your LinkedIn account has been subjected to compulsory
security update’. The email then states you need to use the attached form to
complete the process and ‘keep your account safe’.
In fact the attachment is a copy of the genuine LinkedIn webpage and if this
version is used to enter login details scammers can then record these and use
them to hijack your account.
If you receive one of these emails do not click on any links or attachments and
delete it.
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Trading Standards are warning
residents to be on their guard after a Holbrooks resident received a phone call
from a firm offering a free carpet clean. The caller made no mention that the free
carpet clean and demonstration would also turn into a sales pitch.
The demonstration lasted 2 hours and
the resident felt the person was a bit pushy especially as the price originally
quoted dropped from £2,400.00 to £1,300.00 provided the resident agreed to give
their old vacuum in part exchange.
The resident eventually agreed to
purchase the cleaner and they took away their current vacuum cleaner. On
reflection the resident decided to exercise their legal right to cancel and sent notification of this but to date they have not had a response. We have contacted the firm asking when a refund will be made and when the old vacuum will be
returned.
We would remind residents
to be wary when purchasing anything at home following on from a cold call.
Unfortunately some unscrupulous sales people will use a high pressure sales
pitch whilst in your home to pressure you into purchasing their product.
Once the sales people are in your home residents can find it very difficult to
say no, and are often subjected to hours of high pressure sales and pressured
into buying a product that they do not want.
Remember, in most circumstances
if you agree to buy anything costing over £42.00 you are entitled to a 14 day
cooling off period in which you can change your mind. If you have recently been
targeted and wish to change your mind, you should send your written notice of
cancellation to the trader immediately. The trader must provide you with a
written notice of cancellation, failure to do this is a criminal offence.
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 Crompton Lamps is recalling their LED Dimmable GLS Opal 14W
Warm White ES-E27 lamp with the model number 'LGES14WW-DIM' and batch code
'3214’ due to risk of electric shock.
Anyone using these bulbs is advised to STOP USING IT IMMEDIATELY,
isolate the mains power supply and then remove the lamp.
Further information on this recall can be
obtained by contacting Crompton Lamps by email: lamps@cromptonlamps.com or by calling
0845 612 8151.
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 Thorntons
is recalling its Praline Melts due to the presence of nuts which are not
declared on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk to
anyone with an allergy to nuts.
Product Name:
Thorntons Praline Melts – 200g with Batch Code: L802315
Best before date: 30 November 2015
The
batch affected was supplied only to Tesco. No other Thorntons products
are known to be affected.
If
you have bought the above product and have an allergy to nuts, do not eat it.
Instead, return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
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Snack
Food Poco Loco UK Ltd is recalling various brands of Fajita and Enchilada meal
kits because they contain almond, which is not mentioned on the labels. This
means the products are a possible health risk to anyone with an allergy to
almonds and other nuts.
Product
details:
Morrisons Enchilada Dinner Kit - 663g.
‘Best
before’: all date codes
Morrisons Fajita Dinner Kit - 500g.
‘Best
before’: all date codes
by Sainsbury’s Enchilada Kit - 650g.
‘Best
before’: all date codes
Tesco Fajitas Meal Kit - 475g.
‘Best
before’: 16 May 2015, 17 May 2015, 30 May 2015, 7 June 2015, 8
June 2015, 25 June 2015
Advice
to consumers:
If
you have bought the above products and have an allergy to almonds or other
nuts, do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store where it was purchased for
a full refund.
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For
more information on scams, visit: www.coventry.gov.uk/scams
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