| NOTE! - When forwarding this newsletter email on, We highly recommend removing the unsubscribe link at the foot of the page - to prevent others from unsubscribing you from our distribution list. |
|
|
 |
|
We have received a report of a man in a white van going door to door in Warren Heath offering "ex-exhibition plants and garden furniture".
These individuals often visit Suffolk and use the same sales patter - “last one”, “great price” "ex-exhibition stock" etc.
Our advice is to NEVER buy at the door!
If you are approached at the door and are not expecting a caller, our advice is not to answer.
If approached report to us via 0808 223 1133. When reporting doorstep incidents, please try to supply key information such as the description of the individual and their vehicle, including the make, model and vehicle registration if seen.
To receive a no cold calling sticker, please email us with your address on tradingstandards@suffolk.gov.uk
|
|
 |
|
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its main concerns following an initial review into the veterinary sector.
The review by the CMA highlights multiple concerns in the market, including:
- Consumers may not be given enough information to enable them to choose the best veterinary practice or the right treatment for their needs.
- Concentrated local markets, in part driven by sector consolidation, may be leading to weak competition in some areas.
- Large corporate groups may have incentives to act in ways which reduce choice and weaken competition.
- Pet owners might be overpaying for medicines or prescriptions.
- The regulatory framework is outdated and may no longer be fit for purpose.
The CMA launched its review of the sector in September 2023 and issued a Call For Information (CFI) as part of that. This brought 56,000 responses - including 45,000 from the general public and 11,000 responses from those working in the vet industry which includes around a fifth of UK vets and veterinary nurses.
The CMA has launched a 4-week consultation to seek views from the sector on the proposal to launch a market investigation. The consultation closes on 11 April 2024 at which point it will consider the responses received and a decision will be made on how to proceed.
|
|
 |
|
The final pair of a family of ‘ticket touts’ from Norfolk have been found guilty of fraudulently and dishonestly buying and reselling tickets – often at vastly inflated prices – for high profile music events such as Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga and Little Mix concerts.
Mark Woods and Lynda Chenery – who are both from Dickleburgh in Norfolk – were unanimously found guilty of fraudulent trading offences today (13 March 2024) at Leeds Crown Court, while Maria Chenery-Woods and Paul Douglas entered guilty pleas earlier in the process.
Husband and wife, Mark Woods (aged 60) and Maria Chenery-Woods (aged 54), along with Maria’s sister Lynda Chenery (aged 51) and Lynda’s former husband Paul Douglas (aged 56), ran TQ Tickets, a multi-million-pound limited company they used to purchase and resell hundreds of tickets at hugely inflated prices for events and concerts such as Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, Gary Barlow, Liam Gallagher, Strictly Come Dancing, Paul Weller and Little Mix.
An investigation by National Trading Standards found that the defendants used several dishonest and fraudulent tactics to purchase multiple tickets from primary ticket sellers such as Ticketmaster, Eventim, SEE Tickets and AXS, circumventing the platforms’ automated systems to block multiple purchases. These techniques – which were designed to exploit fans’ support and passion to line their own pockets – included:
- using multiple identities and names to buy tickets, including false identities
- using different names, postal addresses; email addresses and IP addresses
- concealing their IP address – their internet identity – by using the Insomniac Browser, a specialist software that was designed for use by ticket touts by enabling multiple online identities and proxy IP addresses to purchase tickets at the same time.
Having fraudulently purchased the tickets, the defendants used false identities to resell the tickets at vastly inflated prices – in some cases at 500% more than the face value – on secondary ticketing websites such as Viagogo, Seatwave, Stubhub and Getmein.
The defendants also engaged in fraudulent trading by listing tickets for sale on secondary ticketing websites that they had not purchased and did not own. Known as ‘spec selling’, the idea was to induce consumers to agree to ‘buy’ non-existent tickets – with false information about the seats and row numbers – at an inflated price. Where ticket purchases could not be met, the defendants tried to make it appear that tickets had been sent by giving fake postal trackers and sending empty or torn envelopes.
The hearing is the latest in a series of prosecutions against secondary ticketing touts that has been led by investigators at the National Trading Standards eCrime Team, which is hosted by City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council. This enforcement has already led to landmark prosecutions, jail terms and millions of pounds in proceeds of crime returned to the exchequer.
BUYING TICKETS ONLINE - YOUR CHECKLIST
Buy your tickets from, or check ticket availability with, an official agent or reputable ticket supplier – if in doubt, check the festival or event website for more information about the official vendor
Avoid buying from secondary ticket sellers or buying tickets on social media – you could be refused entry if you buy unofficially. However, we know fans desperate for tickets may look for tickets from unofficial sellers. If engaging with unofficial sellers always
- research the seller/company
- check companies are registered at Companies House (the longer the better - if they recently registered it could be a scam)
- check the seller or company online for unfavourable reviews on Site Jabber, Trust Pilot or Feefo and beware of false positive reviews, a favourite tactic of scammers
- check ticketing forums for unfavourable feedback – again beware of false positive reviews
If buying from secondary ticketing sites check the following information is available:
- the seat number, standing area or location of the ticket
- who the seller is
- if the seller is connected to the platform or event organisers
- restrictions resold tickets that prevent entry to the event
When buying tickets online you should:
- pay by credit card and never by money transfer
- use an encrypted payment method
- don’t post pictures of genuine tickets online (they could be copied and your tickets may become useless)
If you are concerned that a sale may be fraudulent report it to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline by calling 0808 223 1133. |
|
 |
|
YANA, the rural mental health and suicide prevention charity in East Anglia, is launching a new live helpline which aims to provide immediate support to individuals and remove the barrier of leaving a message.
Starting from Monday, March 18th, the helpline will be active every Monday to Friday between 10am and 1pm.
During these hours, callers will have the opportunity to speak directly to YANA’s trained and experienced helpline team.
Additionally, YANA recognises the importance of accessibility and ensuring their helpline is available outside of these hours. To achieve this, the helpline will continue to provide support through their team of dedicated helpline callers with its call-back system.
Over the last three years, YANA has witnessed a significant increase of 216% in the number of requests for help through its helpline. This highlights the importance of providing a neutral space for individuals to talk about their struggles and seek professional help where it is needed.
YANA remains committed to improving the quality of life and, at times, even saving lives through their mental health and suicide prevention support and training efforts.
The live helpline is available from 18th March, Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm. You can reach YANA’s help by calling 0300 323 0400 or emailing helpline@yanahelp.org.
|
|
 |
|
BlendJet has detected two manufacturing defects in affected units. The blade may break off and can produce sharp blade pieces, presenting a risk of injuries. Additionally, the battery may overheat, presenting a risk of fire.
BlendJet 2 units subject to this safety recall were distributed from approximately October 2020 through November 2023. The affected units have serial numbers within the following range: 5201000000 - 5542999999.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled blenders and contact BlendJet for a free replacement of the BlendJet 2 base unit. For further information, please see the BlendJet recall notice at: https://blendjet.com/safetyandrecall.
Share on Facebook
|
|
If you need advice, or want to report a scam or rogue trader,
call us via 0808 223 1133. |
|
|
