Builder sentenced: A rogue Suffolk builder who conned customers by taking deposits worth over £17,000 for work that was never carried out has been sentenced following a prosecution by Suffolk Trading Standards. Jack Doran repeatedly fobbed off complaints with excuses as to why work was not being done. Doran, 40, traded as JD Roofing and General Building Ltd of Manor Road, Felixstowe, but his home address is in Harlow, Essex. At Ipswich Crown Court on Monday August 12, he was given a six-months suspended sentence, suspended for 18 months by Judge David Wilson. This was reduced from nine months due to an early plea. Doran was also ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work over the next 18 month, ordered to attend a rehabilitation course to avoid future offending, and told to pay £2,500 compensation, to be split £500 per consumer. He was disqualified as a director for five years. Doran had previously admitted defrauding customers by taking 50% deposits and additional payments for roofing services and materials not provided, and dishonestly incurring debts in the course of trade, both contrary to the Companies Act 2006. Suffolk Trading Standards was first contacted about him in April 2022 where a customer from Felixstowe complained they had paid £5,900 for work to replace a roof but which had not been carried out. In August 2022 a second complaint was received where a customer in Felixstowe paid just over £4,000 for work that never happened. Neighbours of the first complainant were then identified as further victims. They paid £1,200 deposit in advance but no work at all was carried out on their property and no scaffolding installed. All victims received invoices or estimates at the beginning of contracts that stipulated 50% deposits up front, all payable to a bank account in the name of JD Roofing & General Building Ltd. During the contracts, and despite work not proceeding, at least two of the victims were talked into making further payments under pressure that the business was struggling financially and without further payments the work could not continue. One paid £1,247 and then another £150 was requested. A second victim paid a further payment of £750 after initially paying £1,440. Graham Crisp, Head of Suffolk Trading Standards, said: “The actions of Jack Doran have caused financial loss and significant undue stress to his victims and their families. I would like to thank the victims in this case for coming forward and supporting the investigation. The consumers trusted the business and they were let down. Doran pocketed thousands of pounds paid to him in good faith and he then spun a web of lies and excuses as to why he was not carrying out the agreed work.” Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council Cabinet member for Public Health and Public Protection, said: “This is another great result for our Trading Standards Team and sends a clear message that rogue traders are not welcome in Suffolk. Residents are reminded to always thoroughly research any individual or business before hiring them to carry out work and to always be cautious when paying money upfront. I would strongly encourage anyone looking for a trader to get a range of quotes from reputable traders either through recommendations from people you trust, or a Trading Standards approved trader from our Suffolk Trusted Trader scheme.” After sentencing, one of Doran’s victims, who has asked to remain anonymous, said: “Jack Doran lied to us, and I feel let down, disappointed, and stupid for being so easily manipulated. My trust in builders has been eroded. Throughout the process of continually giving excuses for not starting the work, our patience and tolerance were completely abused.” The victim said they had contacted Doran after he put an advert on Facebook following a major storm, offering to repair roof damage. They added: “Doran’s estimate of a simple two-day job was rubbish, as the job eventually needed some major rebuilding. Not only did this cost us considerably more, but over that time the cost of materials increased vastly. We are pensioners with a limited income. The fact we were conned makes me feel vulnerable and wary that in the future we could be exploited.” Anyone who believes they are a victim of a rogue trader, or are concerned that a neighbour or family member may be, please report it to Trading Standards via 0808 223 1133. To find a trader that you can trust, consult the Suffolk Trusted Trader directory and choose with confidence: https://trustedtrader.team/Suffolk/
Fake QR codes: We are seeing more and more reports of fake QR codes on parking machines across the Country. Quishing, also known as QR code* phishing, involves tricking someone into scanning a phony QR code with their phone or device. The QR code then takes the user to a fraudulent website that might download malware or ask for sensitive information. It’s the latest trend used by scammers to get to your hard-earned cash. QR codes are often found on things like parking machines, charging points, emails, even restaurant menus. Once scanned, scam codes will take you to a bogus website where you innocently input your details thinking you’re paying for a service or visiting the genuine site, when in fact, you’re sharing all your personal details with the scammers.
How to prevent quishing attacks:
- If the QR code is on a poster in a public area, always check whether it appears to have been stuck over the original. If the sign or notice is laminated and the QR code is under the lamination or part of the original print, chances are it’s more likely to be genuine
- If in doubt, download the app from the official Google or Apple store or search the website on your phone’s internet browser, rather than scanning a QR code to take you there. It may take longer, but it’s more secure
- Check the preview of the QR code's URL to see if it appears legitimate. Make sure the website uses HTTPS rather than HTTP, doesn't have obvious misspellings and has a trusted domain
- Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t seem right, don’t share your details
Unsafe slime: Suffolk Trading Standards Imports Team have detained a consignment of 574 unsafe slime kits due to a serious chemical risk. The products present a serious chemical risk as they were found to contain phthalates at levels that exceed the legal limit. Phthalates may harm the health of children, possibly causing damage to the reproductive system. The product consisted of 18 tubs of coloured 'slimes' and bags of 'toppings'. The plastic material from the 'toppings' were tested for the presence of phthalates. The REACH Regulations prohibits the supply of a toy or childcare article containing bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in a concentration greater than 0.1% by mass of the plasticised material. The tests found the 'toppings' contain 4.6% DEHP.
Brand: LAWOHO
Barcodes: X001QU4NK9, X001QVCEXV, X001QVAW3P
The goods were imported from China and the consignment was due to be delivered to a warehouse in Coventry, with all products due to be sold on Amazon. The listings have been removed from the site and the goods will be destroyed. If you have purchased a product that you think may be unsafe, stop using it immediately and report it to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133. Make sure you only buy products from a reputable retailer. If buying on an online marketplace such as Amazon or eBay, make sure you check the details of the seller and that they have a UK address. Check the reviews for the product to see what others have said, and remember, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is!
Birds: In England & Wales all bird keepers must register by 1 October 2024. By registering you will help manage potential avian disease outbreaks and limit any spread. If you have a CPH and are already registered, you do not need to re-register. Link to the guidance: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-as-a-keeper-of-less-than-50-poultry-or-other-captive-birds
Not sure if you can return an item you bought? Understand what your consumer rights are here: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer
Are you house or flat hunting? Look out for rental scams! Look out for pristine pictures and high-pressure tactics, and requests for unusual, potentially unprotected ways to transfer money. Always visit the property in person and verify the landlord's details.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) have published a number of product safety reports for water beads due to a serious risk of asphyxiation. The products present high risk of asphyxiation if the product is swallowed in its hydrated form as the product can block a young child’s airway leading to aspiration. Some water beads grow to more than 15 times their original size, up to the size of golf balls.
Five top tips for water bead safety:
1 - Keep water beads away from babies and young children
2 - If older children are using water beads, use a large tub with plenty of free space so stray beads can’t escape onto the floor
3 - Supervise older children when using water beads
4 - After use, check that all beads are safely cleared away
5 - Store dry water beads in a closed container out of children’s reach
Some older children with special educational needs also put things in their mouths. Take real care if using water beads as sensory toys. If you suspect a child has swallowed a water bead, seek medical help immediately. Symptoms can include vomiting, lethargy, a swollen belly and problems opening the bowels.
Product Safety Reports: https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls
Advice from the Child Accident Prevention Trust: https://capt.org.uk/keep-water-beads-away-from-young-children
Product Recall for Range Rover Evoque Ride On Toy 12V Pink sold by Argos due to a serious risk of fire. The affected batch presents a serious risk of fire as they may have been produced without a fuse. Under fault conditions, this could lead to the product overheating, smoking and igniting, causing a fire.
Brand: Hyper Toy Company Ltd
PO and Batch Codes: P/O 129721, HBI0002596
Catalogue Number: 9564293
Affected products were purchased between 16th December 2023 and 24th April 2024.
Affected consumers are advised to stop using the toy immediately, check if you have an affected batch and if so, return it to your nearest store.