Trading Standards consumer news

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Trading Standards consumer news
Thomas Cook

Fraudsters attempting to scam Thomas Cook customers

Scammers purporting to be from Thomas Cook are making phone calls offering to refund holiday payments. They are asking for customers' bank card details including the three-digit security code.

This is a scam. No Thomas Cook employee will be calling those affected by the company collapse. 

If you are looking to get a refund, only use the official Thomas Cook refunds website.

Report scam calls via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.


Halloween safety

If you’re going out to scare, know what to wear

Looking forward to celebrating Halloween with your family and friends? Keep children away from candles and open flames, and don't miss this advice on costume safety.


blind cord banner

Keep children safe from blind cords

A new campaign urges parents to take action to prevent children being strangled by dangerous blind cords in the home. 

Find out how to make blind cords safe.


speaking on the telephone

Free call blockers

Are you annoyed by the amount of nuisance calls you’re getting on your landline? Or do you know someone else who is?

You can apply for a free trueCall call blocker to filter out unwanted and nuisance calls. These are being offered by Friends Against Scams - find out more about this offer and apply on their website


vegan food

Food allergen warning

If you buy vegan food because you have allergy concerns, you should still make the trader aware of foods you need to avoid in case of cross contamination with allergenic ingredients.

Read more about the precautions to take if you or someone you know has a food allergy.


Engaging Rural Micros logo

Are you a rural micro business or sole trader? Are you interested in shaping the future of business support? 

Devon County Council is running a research trial into how they can help rural micro businesses to improve business efficiency, as research suggests many micro business owners are too busy to give their businesses the health-check they need which could enable them to free-up time.

Are you a business owner who can relate to this? Is your dream to increase efficiency within your business, free up time, and reach that elusive ‘work-life balance’? Then we encourage you to get involved in Devon County Council’s new research trial.

Find out more and sign up.

October 2019

Newton Abbot Market video

WATCH: Newton Abbot Market signs the ‘fake-free’ charter

The market and its stallholders reaffirm their commitment that fake and other illicit goods are not welcome.

Read the full story and watch the video.


Rogue handyman who defrauded pensioner given two year suspended sentence and told to pay over £13,000.


Devon supermarkets successful in voluntary ban on energy drinks for under 16s.


No Cold Callers scheme launch

“No Cold Callers” scheme launched to combat rural crime and protect South West farmers.


Anti Slavery Day

Become exploitation aware

Friday 18 October is Anti Slavery Day. Modern slavery and human trafficking are major local and national issues. These forms of exploitation affect people of all ages, genders and nationalities, and can involve enslavement, forced labour, people trafficking, sexual exploitation and forced participation in criminal activities.

Learn about the issues, and how to spot the signs and report concerns, through Safer Devon’s Preventing Exploitation Toolkit.


Avoid skin-lightening creams 'at all costs'

Consumers are being warned to steer clear of skin lightening creams that can "act like paint stripper".

Read the full story on BBC News.


Product recalls

See the latest product recalls


consumer news graphic

Read more consumer news