This Black Friday you might find the deal of a lifetime, but before you bag a bargain beware, as criminals will target online shoppers with fake websites to try and trick people into buying goods or services that never materialise. Before committing to a purchase, take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money. It can be easy to feel pressured by sales tactics, so take a bit of time to reflect before clicking 'buy.'

If the price seems to be too good to be true, ask yourself if the item is a fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests for money or personal information. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you. Reputation is everything. Always buy from a reputable trader whose name you recognise and check the delivery, returns and cancellation details before committing to a purchase. Only give out your personal or financial information to services you know to be official.

When extreme weather hits the county, legitimate traders are in high demand and this can sometimes mean that rogue traders look to cash in on those affected by flood damage.

If your property has been affected by the recent storms, stay alert to rogue traders:

• Never engage with cold callers knocking on your door or who call out of the blue
• Be wary of using traders recommended on social media
• Choose a trader that is part of the Trusted Trader Scheme
• Get 3 quotes from different and independently sourced traders
• Be careful of online reviews as these may not be genuine

If you think you've fallen victim to a rogue trader, you can report this to the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline by calling 0808 223 1133. You can also contact them for advice prior to entering into a contract to purchase goods or services.

If you are planning on using an electric blanket this winter, it’s vital that you make sure it is safe, because old, worn or faulty electric blankets can cause house fires. During December, our Trading Standards team is running three free events across Nottinghamshire to test residents' electric blankets and check if they are safe to use. Testing will take no more than 15 minutes and if your electric blanket is found to be unsafe, we will replace it for FREE. Appointments are available on the following dates:

• Wednesday 6 December: Worksop Library (9.00am to 4.30pm)
• Thursday 7 December: Bingham Library (9:30am to 4.00pm)
• Friday 8 December: Mansfield Fire Station (9.00am to 4.30pm)

To book an appointment please call us on 0115 804 4555.

Christmas really is a magical time of the year, especially for kids. To make sure your Christmas is one to remember for all the right reasons, we’ve got some important advice for you on toy safety. 

Making sure you only buy from reputable retailers is one of the most important things when it comes to buying toys.

Look out for fake toys when shopping online. Compare the toy’s price with other online sellers and remember, if it’s a fraction of the cost, it’s likely to be counterfeit.

It’s also important to be age aware. Toys must be clearly marked with age restrictions so check these and make sure they are suitable for the age of the child that will be playing with them. Look out for a UKCA or CE safety mark as well, as one of these must be included on all toys sold in this country.

Finally, be aware of toys with small parts as these could come detached and be a choking hazard.

Remember to look for the Ready to Burn logo on any bagged fuel you buy and follow these tips to stay safe:

• Hire a professional to sweep your chimney or flue at least once a year to make sure yours is safe to use
• Only burn seasoned wood or manufacturer recommended fuels
• Don’t let your fire smoulder overnight

Phishing' is when criminals use scam emails to trick their victims into giving away their personal information or banking details. Phishing emails often use phrases such as “we’ve noticed some suspicious activity” or “there’s a problem with your account” - when there isn’t.

Criminals will often include links in phishing emails that could lead to fake websites or download harmful software onto your device.

Avoid clicking on links in emails and remember, it’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore requests for your personal or financial information.

If you have received an email which you’re not quite sure about, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you’re worried about your account and think you may have fallen for a scam, call your bank immediately.

Earlier this month a man and two women were arrested on suspicion of illegal money lending in Nottinghamshire.

Illegal moneylenders charge extortionate rates of interest and may threaten significant harm to borrowers if they can’t make their repayments. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to spot loan sharks. They can take many guises and operate in a variety of ways.

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) estimates that there are up to 1.08 million people in debt to loan sharks in England.

If you, or someone you know has been affected by illegal money lending, you can contact the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 Helpline in confidence on 0300 555 2222 or access support online at www.stoploansharks.co.uk. Live Chat is available on the website between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Online daters are being warned about the dangers of fake celebrity profiles after a Nottinghamshire woman lost thousands of pounds to a criminal posing as TV chef James Martin.

The woman believed she was exchanging messages with the ITV star via Facebook and lost about £5,000 in the scam. Reports of romance fraud have soared in recent years but the true extent is unknown as many victims are too embarrassed to come forward.

If you are dating online, remember to:

• only use reputable dating sites
• avoid giving away too many personal details
• never send money or give your bank details to someone you've only just met online.

Be wary of matches who may ask a lot of personal questions, but not tell you much about themselves, and those who invent a reason to ask for your help, particularly when it involves needing money.