News

KCC Public Protection

09 December 2022
Dear Kent Residents

The Cost Of Living crisis is making everyone anxious and that can make us more vulnerable when making decisions when buying something, when clicking on a link in an email or text or when we are cold called.  Knowing what scams, doorstep criminals or unsafe goods are on the market can help keep you safe.

Make sure you tell friends, relatives and neighbours. The more informed we become the less vulnerable we are to these criminals

Kind regards

Victim Safeguarding Officer

Households across Great Britain will receive a £400 non-repayable discount off their electricity bills, via the government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme. The discount will be paid in six monthly instalments starting in October.

There is no need to apply for the scheme. You will not be contacted by the Government or Ofgem asking you to share your bank details in order to benefit.

Your electricity supplier will apply the £400 discount automatically if you pay your electricity bills by direct debit, standard credit, payment card or smart prepayment meter. You do not need to do anything.

If you are on a traditional prepayment meter, it is important to ensure your electricity supplier has your contact details so you can receive the discount via vouchers issued from the first week of every month from October to March. Vouchers will be issued by your electricity supplier via SMS text, email or post along with information on where to redeem them. This will usually be a PayPoint or Post Office branch.

Do not give out private information (such as bank details or passwords), reply to text messages, download attachments, or click on any links in emails if you’re not sure they’re genuine.
For more information on the Energy Bills Support Scheme, see the Explainer on Gov.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/energy-bills-support-scheme-explainer

Further support
Government guidance on scams can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/report-suspicious-emails-websites-phishing
There are several consumer-focused organisations which offer advice on how to protect yourself from scams, check if something is a scam, and how to report them. A selection of these is below:

Urgent Safety Alert issued by Office for Product Safety and Standards

Baby self-feeding pillow products are designed to be attached to a bottle so that the baby may be positioned on its back to self-feed without the assistance of a caregiver holding the bottle and controlling the feed.

This is inconsistent with NHS guidance https://bit.ly/3VCn73V in relation to safe bottle feeding. When used as intended, even whilst under the supervision of a caregiver, it could lead to immediate, serious harm or death from choking or aspiration pneumonia.

Businesses selling these products must immediately remove them from the market as they cannot comply with the safety requirements under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.

Kent resident received an email from a company with a fake domain.

It said they could increase their bitcoin wallet by 35% of the whole amount and asked the resident to buy bitcoins worth over £10k.

This is a scam.

Report and Get advice – Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.

Product recall for John Lewis Cloud Velvet Dining Chairs Set of 2 presenting a risk of injuries as there is potential for the chair’s legs to break causing a risk of falls and injury to the user.

Hazard
The product presents a risk of injuries as there is potential for the chair’s legs to break causing a risk of falls and injury to the user.

Corrective action
John Lewis has recalled the product from end users. For more information, please see: https://jland.partners/3OJuCTR

Nestle UK is recalling Aero Hot Chocolate products because it may contain food-grade silica beads.

Product details:
Aero Hot Choc Jars: 288g
Aero Hot Choc sachets: 24g
Aero Go Instant Hot Choc Cups: 28g

If you have these products, do not consumer. Dispose the contents and send the lid of the jar, the empty sachet or the sleeve of cup, with your name and address for a full refund including postage to:

Aero Hot Chocolate Recall
PO Box 205
FREEPOST 1374
York
YO91 1XB

You can also call Nestle on 00800 63785385 (9am – 5pm Monday – Friday). Read more: https://bit.ly/3F4W3Ug


If you have information on doorstep criminals, counterfeit, fake or illegal goods, illicit tobacco, loan sharks or those selling restricted items to underage kids, call the charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 
Report to Crimestoppers

To report scams and get advice on consumer issues call Citizen’s Advice consumer helpline on
0808 223 1133.
Report to Citizens Advice

SPEAK UP. STAY SAFE

Trading Standards Checked carries out checks on traders so customers can have peace of mind when choosing a tradesperson to do work in their home.

Please help to keep your family and community safe. If you need work done in your home or garden, visit the website to find a safe local tradesperson.

Visit Trading Standards Checked
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Kent County Council

Invicta House

MaidstoneKent ME14 1XX

United Kingdom

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