Friends Against Scams: Friends Against Scams is celebrating five years since its launch! Have you become a Friend yet? Friends Against Scams is designed to inspire action, highlight the scale of the problem, change the perceptions of why people fall for scams and make scams a community, regional and national topic. Since being introduced, several initiatives alongside becoming a Friend have been launched to help spread awareness of scams. These include Scam Marshals, SCAMchampions, Businesses Against Scams, Young Friends and many more – find out which of these could work for you! https://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/how-can-you-help
Fake DVLA messages: Beware of these fake DVLA text messages. These texts have been sent by criminals who have created fake websites. The website that the text links to has been created to look similar to the DVLA website, with the same branding, layout and font choices. If you think you have provided scammers with your financial details, contact your bank immediately. If you receive what you think is a fake message, forward the text message, including the phone number or company name, to 7726. It won’t cost you anything and it means your phone provider can investigate the sender. Report all scams to us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Bird Flu: The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officers are encouraging poultry keepers to take action now to reduce the risk of avian flu over the winter. The UK is currently free from avian flu, but over the last year 26 outbreaks were confirmed in kept poultry and captive birds and in over 300 wild birds. As winter approaches, the risk of migratory wild birds infecting domestic poultry will rise and therefore it is vital that poultry farmers and bird keepers take action to improve biosecurity standards. There are several measures that can help to keep flocks disease free. All keepers – whether they run a large commercial farm or keep just a few pet chickens in their back garden – can get ahead of the game and take these steps to reduce the risk of disease before the migration of wild birds begins again this winter:
- Keep the area where birds live clean and tidy, control rats and mice and regularly clean and disinfect any hard surfaces
- Keep chickens and turkeys completely separate from ducks and geese
- Conduct regular maintenance checks on their sheds
- Clean moss off the roofs, empty gutters and remove vegetation between sheds where birds are kept
- Draw up contingency plans for storing bedding and dealing with pests
- Place birds’ feed and water in fully enclosed areas that are protected from wild birds, and remove any spilled feed regularly
- Put fencing around outdoor areas where birds are allowed and limit their access to ponds or areas visited by wild waterfowl
- Clean and disinfect footwear before and after entering premises where birds are kept
When avian flu is suspected or confirmed, the Government introduces restrictions on the movement of all birds and products of animal origin around the infected premises. These restrictions also impact farms in the surrounding area. The Government continues to monitor for incursions of avian flu and is working with the poultry and game bird industries; hen rehoming and pure and traditional poultry breeds stakeholders to help reduce the risk of disease. The Government also publishes further guidance on how to spot avian flu and what to do if you suspect it: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu
Halloween is fast approaching and with schools now breaking up for the half term, we would like to help ensure your celebrations don't turn into a nightmare.
Hooks: Remember that criminals often use ‘hooks’ to grab your attention. They might tell you need to act urgently to save your money from a threat or that you have to act quickly to access a prize. They want to play on your emotions and panic you into handing over your personal or financial information. Take Five and stop and think. Speak to a friend or family member or give your bank a call. Remember that is always ok to refuse, reject or ignore requests. Better to be safe than sorry. Report all scams to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Recall: Decathlon are recalling LEARN 500 OXELO children's scooters, sold between the 24th of January to the 30th of September.
Product: Learn 500 Blue
Model number: 8555206
Article number: 2939387
Product: Learn 500 Pink
Model number: 8555207
Article number: 2939388
Product: Learn 500 Yellow/Jaune
Model number: 8555205
Article number: 2939386
The OXELO teams have identified a potential risk regarding the breakage of the scooter direction tube. A crack can appear and cause the direction tube to break. Decathlon are asking customers to return your product to your nearest store for a complete refund. More information here: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/static/product-recall/pdf/L210306-product-recall-LEARN500SCOOTER.pdf