Stay home, stay safe, stay scam aware

The outbreak of COVID-19 has seen an increase in scams and doorstep traders who are trying to exploit fear and uncertainty during this difficult time.

We urge you to keep safe and vigilant in the current environment and look out for scams in your neighbourhood, which often target elderly and vulnerable people. 

Find out about some coronavirus-related scams and how to stay safe.

Download and print a scam-awareness poster to put up in your community.

Get more advice, news and resources on coronavirus scams from Action Fraud - COVID-19 related scams - news and resources.

Selling homemade food

Are you considering cooking or baking during the COVID-19 outbreak with a view to offering food products for sale through social media?

If you are, please make yourself aware of the legal requirements for food safety and hygiene.

This applies whether you offer for sale homemade cakes and biscuits, takeaway meals or other home prepared foods.

In particular you need to:

• Register as a food business with Environmental Health through your local district council.
• Be aware of specific food safety rules relating to food labelling, packaging and allergens.

Please don't fly tip

The closure of recycling centres during lockdown has led to a national increase in reports of fly tipping. Sadly, this environmental vandalism puts a major financial burden on society and has serious public health consequences.

Please don't fly tip or use cold callers/unlicensed traders to take your waste away. If you need help and advice with your household waste, we recommend that you contact a business that is a member of our Buy With Confidence scheme.

You can also get advice on waste disposal during COVID-19 on the Clean Devon website.

To report fly tipping, contact your local district council.

Help for loan shark victims

If you are a victim of illegal money lending, or you are worried a friend or family member might be a victim, you can get help and support from Stop Loan Sharks - call 0300 555 2222 or report a loan shark to Stop Loan Sharks online.

Stop Loan Sharks is running live Q&A sessions on Facebook every Friday at 1.30pm - you can watch and post questions in the comments, and the sessions are available to watch on their page afterwards. Visit the Stop Loan Sharks Facebook page.