BOGUS CALLERS: Beware of bogus calls from an individual claiming to be a Conservation Officer from the local council, asking to come and inspect your loft insulation. The individual claims that there is a "problem with old glass fibre and mineral wool insulation". The caller then goes on to offer a free survey of the loft, and attempts to make an appointment. This information is false. Always be wary of any approach made in a telephone cold call. Always check the credentials of any company that contacts you out of the blue. Always check any claims made, especially when the company are claiming to work with other agencies. Always check the IDs of anyone who visits your property, claiming to work for an organisation. Keep any paperwork they give you. Never provide any personal information to a caller that is not required. Never agree to any work done until you have received a second opinion. If you have any concerns about a company that has contacted you, call us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
FAKE EMAILS: Beware of these fake Freemans emails. The message informs the recipient that they have identified an unauthorised payment of £3.99 for an iPad, and asks them to log on to their PayPal account to cancel or confirm the order. The link takes you to a fake PayPal website that asks for your login details. It is a phishing email designed to steal your personal information and money. Forward scam emails to the National Cyber Security Centre on report@phishing.gov.uk
BIRD FLU: This season's avian influenza outbreak is the biggest the UK has ever seen with over 60 cases to date. Don't join the statistics! It's vital that you aren't complacent about biosecurity. Anything that enters your birds' housing could be a source of infection! This could be your footwear, equipment, bedding, pets that walk into your birds' housing, rodents or floodwater that leaks in.
Poultry keepers must do the following:
- keep all birds housed inside to keep them separate from wild birds
- cleanse and disinfect clothing, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing;
- where possible change their footwear before entering sheds housing poultry and captive birds. If not, then ensure they are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected;
- reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control;
- thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis;
- keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points; and
- minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds.
FAKE ALCOHOL: Fake or illegally produced alcohol is alcohol that is made in unlicensed distilleries or people's homes to be sold. Fake alcohol may be packaged to look like well-known, legally produced brands. This is known as counterfeiting. Vodka is the most commonly faked spirit. We advise that if you see vodka on sale at a really cheap price, it probably isn’t vodka. Properly produced and certified alcoholic drinks are made with ethanol which is a type of alcohol that’s approved for human consumption. Fake alcoholic drinks can be produced using other, cheaper types of alcohol. Drinking them can leave you blind, in a coma or even worse. Fake alcohol can contain chemicals used in:
antifreeze
screen wash
nail polish remover
How to spot and avoid fake alcohol
Always remember the ‘4Ps’:
product – watch out for fake versions as well as brand names you have never heard of
price – if the price looks too good to be true, it probably is
packaging – look out for poor quality labelling, spelling mistakes and bottles that have been tampered with
place – always buy your alcohol from a reputable off-licence or retailer
If you suspect someone is supplying or selling fake alcohol then you should report this to us via 0808 223 1133.
You should seek medical advice if you think you’ve drunk fake alcohol.
ELF TORCH RECALL: PMS International are recalling their Naughty Elf Projector Torch with 6 Assorted Lenses 2-pack. This is due to a short circuit that may cause the torch to overheat when it’s used. Please return it to the retailer you purchased it from, where a full refund will be given. For further information please contact: productrecall@pmsinternational.com
PICKLED WALNUTS: Bennett Opie Ltd is recalling Opies Pickled Walnuts because they may contain mustard and sulphites which are not mentioned on the label. As a result of a packaging error some jars may contain pickled cornichons and onions with mustard and sulphites as ingredients which are not declared on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to mustard and/or a sensitivity to sulphur dioxides and/or sulphites.
Product code: L1327 Pack size: 390g Batch code: L1327 Best before: 11/2024
If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to mustard and/or a sensitivity to sulphur dioxide and/or sulphites, do not eat it. Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.