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Have a look at our pages relating to Latest Prosecutions and Scam Alerts Cavity wall and loft insulation - Government Grants
Trading Standards receive regular calls from residents on this subject. Despite Blackpool being a No Cold Calling Zone, there have been numerous reports of salesmen from private companies doorstep calling in relation to fitting cavity wall or loft insulation for free. While there are Government grants available for making homes more energy efficient, they are only available to eligible households - something which is not always made clear by the salesmen. As a consequence there have been reports of household who agreed to the work being carried out, only to be presented with a bill at the end of it.
The scheme is administered by Warm Front. For further information on the scheme and eligability criteria, phone Warm Front directly on 0800 316 2805; or go to
www.direct.gov.uk/warmfrontNational Consumer Week, November 21st: Beware Fake Goods
November 21
st – 25
th is National Consumer Week and the theme this year is fake goods and bogus websites. The sale of counterfeit goods over the internet is a constant and growing problem, thanks to the sophistication of fake websites and of the counterfeiting process. However, it is also a big problem when buying from sites such as e-bay, where the goods are impossible to check and often come from overseas. Trading Standards support this year’s National Consumer week with the message that fake or counterfeit goods are not only of inferior quality, they can often be dangerous or faulty, and in many cases never turn up. Added to which, the chances of getting a refund are virtually nil. They stress above all else that if it looks too good to be true – it probably is!
October 2011: Change in the law on tobacco sales from vending machines
From 1
st October 2011it will be illegal to sell tobacco products from vending machines in pubs and clubs in England. Previously the owner or manager of the premises would only be guilty of an offence if tobacco products were sold to someone under the age of 18, but this has now been extended to anyone – regardless of age. The new regulations also ban the use of adverts or pictures of tobacco products on vending machines – currently they are allowed to. For further advice and guidance on this or any other matter regarding age-restricted sales, contact the Trading Standards Enforcement team on 478381
July 2011: Beko Fridge-Freezer Safety Warning
Trading Standards are advising Blackpool residents who own Beko fridge-freezers to be aware, following a product safety warning given by the company and fire chiefs yesterday. Certain models of Beko fridges manufactured between 2000 and 2006 have been identified as having a faulty defrost time switch which, if fails, could overheat and possibly lead to fire.
Beko are contacting all those on their database who are registered owners of these appliances, however there may be hundreds of others who have acquired theirs second-hand. For this reason everyone who owns a Beko is urged to check their model and serial number for themselves. The model and serial number of your appliance is approximately 10-12 digits long and can be found in the fridge compartment. The first 2 digits of the serial number give the year of production, and so if the number begins 00 01 02 03 04 05 06, you may be one of those affected. Unfortunately Trading Standards do not hold numbers of affected appliances, and consumers are advised to contact Beko directly by calling their free phone number 0800 009 4837 between 8.00am and 6.00pm Monday to Friday. The manufacturer will then arrange to visit your home and make the modification to the product at no charge. All callers are requested to have the model and serial number to hand when they call.
May 2011: Energy Performance Certificates: New regulations
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) have been around for some time and are the only surviving remnant of the doomed Home Information Packs. For some years now they have been an obligatory part of the sale or letting of homes and commercial premises. From July 2011 however, they will also be required for short-term holiday lets. Trading Standards will be undertaking some educational activities over the next few months to ensure that landlords are aware of their responsibilities. For further information and to register your details, please contact Shaun McKinney on 478391
February 2011: Scamnesty 2011
February is Scams Awareness Month, and Trading Standards in association with the OFT are running 'Scamnesty'- a campaign designed to raise awareness of the dangers that junk and scam mailings pose, particularly to the elderly and vulnerable. Throughout the month of February, we will be collecting junk and scam mailings from Blackpool residents. The purpose of this is to monitor what people are being sent as well as providing an opportunity for advice. The intelligence will then be forwarded to the Office of Fair Trading for further analysis and investigation.
Blackpool residents are invited to drop their scam mail in boxes placed at the Trading Standards office on Albert Road, or at Customer First in town. Advice may also be sought at Age UK on Abingdon Street, or the Citizens Advice Bureau on Whitegate Drive. For further information, please contact Catriona Bright on 478386.
October 2010: Successful prosecution for A-board obstruction
In direct response to the rising number of complaints about the obstruction caused by on street A-boards, Trading Standards have successfully prosecuted the owner of a clothing store on Dale Street. Abid Jamil received a fine of £195 plus costs of £195 and had his goods confiscated.
September 2010: National Consumer Week: 20th - 24th
The theme of the event this year is online shopping – be safe online and beware of fake sites and fake products. The Trading Standards Institute, who run the campaign every year, are warning the public to be more vigilant than ever about websites selling counterfeit goods, or sites which turn out to be fake and disappear overnight without trace, but with your hard-earned cash. For more information, tips and advice on safe Internet shopping, refer to the TSI’s
website or call the advice section on 478375
July 2010: Illegal Tobacco - Get Some Answers
Last year, more than 8,000 teenagers aged 14 to 17 in the North West admitted to regularly buying fake cigarettes, according to a survey by Trading Standards North West. Responding to public concern about sales of illegal tobacco to young people, Smokefree Northwest, in association with Trading Standards are launching their ‘Get Some Answers’ campaign this month, with the aim of raising community awareness about the practice of selling, making or importing illicit tobacco products. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or Blackpool Trading Standards Enforcement on 478375. You can remain completely anonymous.
For more answers, go to the
campaign websiteJuly 2010: Your Doorstep Your Decision
As part of the 'Your Doorstep, Your Decision' campaign, Blackpool Council Trading Standards is maintaining efforts to raise awareness of rogue doorstep traders in certain areas of the town. The campaign, which has been running for a number of years, was launched by the Office of Fair Trading and aims to highlight the sophisticated psychological approaches used by rogue operators, while also helping consumers to resist such persuasive sales tactics and stay in control.
For further information on doorstep crime and how to protect yourself, go to our pages relating to
No Cold Calling: advice for Consumers
June 2010: The UK's First Tobacco Banning Orders secured by Blackpool TS
In the first case in the UK under new legislation, Blackpool Trading Standards have successfully secured tobacco banning orders for persistent sales of tobacco to persons under the age of 18. Restricted Premises and Sales Orders were granted against Aqueel Ahmed of Central News, 41 Central Drive in Blackpool for a period of six weeks.
The sanctions were triggered as a result of three illegal sales within a two-year period, as provided for under the new Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008. A Restricted Sales Order prevents the individual from selling tobacco products, or having a management role in any business relating to tobacco sales. A Restricted Premises Order on the other hand applies to the premises where the offences were committed. Both orders were secured voluntarily by Blackpool Trading Standards and are the first in the UK to be issued. Another order is shortly to be agreed on a second premises under the same terms.
May 2010: Hoopla Prosecution for Blackpool Trading Standards
In a high profile case, featured recently on The One Show, two individuals were successfully prosecuted by Blackpool Trading Standards for running an illegal gaming facility. The Hoopla Stall offered prizes to people who could successfully throw a hoop over a block, although numerous complaints drew the attention of Trading Standards Officers to the stall. Further investigation, along with expert help from Dr David Lucy, a statistician from Lancaster University, soon revealed that the nature and location of the blocks, combined with the way the hoops were thrown, established it as a game of chance, as opposed to a game of skill. As such, it was caught by the provisions of the Gambling Act 2005, which would have required the proprietor of the stall to hold an operating licence.
Secret filming also enabled Trading Standards to bring further charges in relation to underage offences – namely, inviting a young person to gamble. The footage showed the two 17 year-olds having spent a total of £70 within ten minutes, without any success. The proprietor admitted that on one day alone, he took a total of £1500. Darren Casey and Philip Williams were convicted by Blackpool magistrates of conducting a gaming facility without a licence. The former was fined £575 and received 135 hrs community service while the latter was given a 14 weeks sentence suspended for 12 months, 270 hrs unpaid work, and required to pay £2000 in costs.
May 2010: Energy Best Deal
Citizens Advice and energy regulator Ofgem have got together, along with a handful of the UKs main energy providers to tell us all about the savings that can be made by switching energy supplier, changes in the way bills are paid, and help available for those struggling to pay. The campaign provides simple advice on how to ensure you are not paying more than you need to on your energy bills. Two quick steps to ensure this are:
1. shop around to get the best deal, and
2. take advantage of the help available with your energy bills.
It particularly aims to help those on low incomes using pre-payment meters. For more information can be found on
CAB's website, or contact Advice Link on 477553.
February 2010: Scams Awareness Month - Don’t Let Them Con You!
February is Scams Awareness month, and Trading Standards in association with the OFT are running 'Scamnesty' - a campaign designed to raise awareness of the dangers that junk and scam mailings pose, particularly to the elderly and vulnerable.
Throughout the month of February, bins will be placed at various locations around Blackpool, into which people can drop their junk and scam mailings. The purpose of this is to monitor what people are being sent as well as providing an opportunity for advice. Bins will be located at the Council Offices on Albert Road, Age Concern, CAB, the central Library and Customer First.
For further information contact
Catriona Bright on 478386. More information on scams in general can be found on our
Scam Alerts page