News

KCC Scam Warnings

17 March 2023
Dear Kent Residents

With Spring not far away the doorstep criminals are increasing their activity, make sure you look out for family and friends who may be targeted. Warn them about how these criminals operate.

The more awareness we have the less likely we are to fall victim.

Kind regards

Victim Safeguarding Officer

DOORSTEP CRIMINALS ACTIVE IN DOVER

We have received reports that doorstep criminals are active in Shepherdswell, Lydden and surrounding villages in Dover. They are calling at homes in the area offering to clean driveways. They are also aggressively telling people their roof needs work.

Do not respond to cold callers, just say no. Work will be poor quality, very expensive and unnecessary. Please look out for friends and neighbours who may be vulnerable.

If you need work on your home, chose a safe trader, use Trading Standards Checked

⚠️ Report Doorstep Criminals to Kent Police on 101
🚨 If they refuse to leave dial 999
☎️ For advice call Citizens Advice consumer helpline 0808 223 1133

AREAS ACROSS KENT TARGETED BY ROOFING CRIMINALS

Residents from Wye, Gravesend and Sevenoaks have been targeted by cold calling criminals saying their roof needed urgent repair work.

Never agree to work from cold callers, it will be unnecessary, poor quality and very expensive. If you need work on your home and garden use Trading Standards Checked 

Report Doorstep Criminals to Kent Police on 101, if they are aggressive call 999

For advice contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline 0808 223 1133

HOME INSULATION TELEPHONE SCAM

We have received reports of elderly Kent residents being targeted by scam callers trying to sell them home insulation. Never agree to work from cold callers, it will be unnecessary, poor quality and very expensive. If you need work on your home and garden use Trading Standards Checked 

To report telephone scams or for advice contact Citizens Advice 0808 223 1133.

BANK CARD TELEPHONE SCAM

Kent resident targeted by bank card scam
They got an automated telephone call which stated unusual activity totaling £900 on their Visa card. The automated messaged said to press button 1

The resident was suspicious as the message said Visa card but did not specify the bank.

This is a scam.

A genuine bank will never call you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, full password or to move money to another account.

To report and get advice contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline 0808 223 1133

CTSI VERY CONCERNED OVER NON-COMPLIANT VAPES THAT HAVE FLOODED THE UK MARKET

Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has issued a statement about vapes: “Based on test purchasing, around 1 in 3 vape products may be noncompliant – this may include having:
– the wrong health warning
– the wrong tank size
– a higher concentration of nicotine
– containing CBD, incorrect labelling or all of the above”

‘Better Retailing’ reports that sales of disposable vapes are over 138million per annum. With 1 in 3 products potentially being non-compliant, that’s more than 45million noncompliant products being sold every year.

Read the CTSI statement on vapes in full here.

Report any illicit sales of vape anonymously to Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

Cost of Living Advice & Information

How To Avoid Doorstep Crime and Scams

Clive Phillips and Neil Butcher, from Kent Trading Standards, talk about the risks of cold callers and how to steer clear of doorstep criminals and scams.
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 
To report scams and get advice on consumer issues call Citizen’s Advice consumer helpline on
0808 223 1133.

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.

Please share with your community

You can view our Privacy Notice at any time. It explains what personal data we hold about you, how we collect the data and how we may use and share information about you. We are required to give this information under the data protection law.

Follow Public Protection on Social Media