The principal role of the Community Development Team is to manage and run the Community Watchdog Scheme. This is a team of over 800 Staffordshire residents acting as the eyes and ears of their local community. Contensis: http://www.contentmanagement.co.uk http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/home.aspx?SyndicationType=2 2013-05-22T15:47:11Z Hilton Vasey

Staffordshire Trading Standards are warning consumers to be wary of businesses offering compensation services in respect of mis-sold energy complaints.

2013-04-17T16:43:00Z 2013-04-17T16:43:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Energy-compensation-warning.aspx Hilton Vasey

Every quarter we hold Watchdog Forums over the county. The forums are a great opportunity for you to meet other watchdog representatives in your local community and to share any consumer issues that you may have.

2013-03-14T14:25:00Z 2013-03-14T14:22:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Watchdog-Forums-Recruitment.aspx Hilton Vasey

As the spring approaches, Staffordshire County Council are warning Stafford residents, especially those who are particularly vulnerable, to be wary of rogue doorstep traders offering home improvement services.

2013-03-14T14:22:00Z 2013-03-14T14:16:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Rogue-Traders-.aspx Hilton Vasey

We have had recent complaints that charity bags which have been left on the driveway for a legitimate charity collection are being stolen before they have been picked up.

2013-03-14T14:17:00Z 2013-03-14T14:12:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Charity-Clothing-Collection.aspx Hilton Vasey

Please be aware off any emails received from people/companies to whom you don't know and are not interested in, always DELETE the messages without opening them as opening them can give them access to your account.

2013-03-14T14:15:00Z 2013-03-14T14:10:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Email-Hacker-Alert.aspx Hilton Vasey

Charity donation fraud is when fraudsters act on behalf of a charity that doesn't exist to obtain money from members of the public or they claim to be acting on behalf of a genuine charity but keep the money donated for themselves.

2013-03-14T14:12:00Z 2013-03-14T14:08:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Charity-Scam-Alert-.aspx Hilton Vasey

Staffordshire County Council has received complaints of Cold Callers claiming to be from reputable companies in order to gain trust or access to people's property.

2013-03-14T14:11:00Z 2013-03-14T14:04:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Bogus-Callers-Alert-.aspx Hilton Vasey

Staffordshire, West Midlands, Warwickshire and West Mercia have all signed up to Action Fraud, a national scheme aiming to tackle the growing problem of fraud, including internet related scams.

2013-02-15T08:52:00Z 2013-02-14T15:05:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Action-Fraud.aspx Hilton Vasey

The Internet delivers a wealth of opportunity for information, education, communication and entertainment. But there is a downside to the growth in its use - some use it to defraud individuals. Others use it with intent to harm and abuse. Thankfully, there are some simple steps that everyone can take to minimise the threats.

2013-02-15T08:52:00Z 2013-02-14T15:15:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Scam-Awareness-Month-–-Internet-Safety-Advice.aspx Hilton Vasey

Motorists are being warned to beware of fraudsters who have struck numerous times in Staffordshire in recent days.

2013-02-15T08:52:00Z 2013-02-14T15:18:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Staffordshire-Police-Are-Warning-Motorists-of-Scam.aspx Hilton Vasey

Trading Standards Officers are warning pet lovers to be wary of bogus internet advertisements offering pets for sale at low prices.

2013-02-14T15:08:00Z 2013-02-14T15:07:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Pets-for-Sale-Scam.aspx Hilton Vasey

Trading Standards Officers are warning PC users to be wary of bogus emails promising fictitious tax rebates.

2013-01-22T14:25:00Z 2013-01-22T13:28:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Scam-Post-Office-Email-.aspx Christopher Bascombe

Trading Standards Officers are urging householders to be on their guard from opportunistic rogue tradesmen making false representations about the Government's Green Deal Scheme.

2013-01-22T14:22:00Z 2013-02-12T10:28:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Green-Deal-Cold-Callers-Warning.aspx Hilton Vasey

*** Product Recall *** Single Over Electric Blanket, Model 75310 Double with dual control Over Electric Blanket, Model 75312

2013-01-22T14:22:00Z 2013-01-22T13:24:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Morphy-Richards-Electric-Blanket-Recall.aspx Hilton Vasey

Trading Standards Officers are warning consumers to be on their guard against bogus emails after receiving an alert from Burton Library Services.

2012-12-14T08:44:00Z 2012-10-15T11:50:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Suspicious-Emails-Alpha-Corporate-Consultants.aspx Hilton Vasey

Staffordshire Trading Standards and the Stafford & Stone Crime Prevention Panel have received a number of reports of people cold calling door to door. The callers are reported to be either selling items or claiming to be calling on behalf of a charity.

2012-09-19T09:09:00Z 2012-09-18T15:03:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Door-to-Door-Sales.aspx Hilton Vasey

Staffordshire Trading Standards are warning of individuals who may telephone you or call at your door to claim you are due a council tax refund. They claim that you are in the wrong council tax band even if you are not and they may also claim that they are already acting on behalf of your neighbours.

2012-09-19T09:06:00Z 2012-09-20T09:47:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Council-Tax-Scams.aspx Hilton Vasey

Staffordshire Trading Standards are warning of Boiler Room Scams. Boiler Room Scams usually cold call their targets from abroad, and they will often pressure you to make a quick decision as to not miss out on the deal.

2012-09-18T14:59:00Z 2012-09-18T15:00:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Boiler-Room-Scams.aspx Andrew Parker

Staffordshire Trading Standards are receiving a number of complaints from people who have been scammed out of money by people who ask them to purchase Ukash vouchers then pass on the code.

2012-08-01T16:35:00Z 2013-01-22T13:14:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/UKASH-Vouchers.aspx Hilton Vasey

During Ramadan we wish to remind people to consider the dangers of drinking bottled water described or labelled as Zam Zam water.

2012-08-01T16:31:00Z 2012-08-01T16:01:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Zam-Zam-Water-Warning.aspx Hilton Vasey

Trading Standards are warning Staffordshire residents to be aware of a dangerous Travel Universal Adapter. The travel adapter as shown below does not conform to relevant safety standards despite bearing the CE mark and is the subject of a safety alert.

2012-08-01T16:31:00Z 2012-08-01T15:45:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Dangerous-Travel-Adapter-1mb.aspx Hilton Vasey

Staffordshire Trading Standards are warning of fake car buying websites which are targeting private car sellers by either advertising their website or sending unsolicited text messages directing them to fake websites offering to buy their car for a price close to the asking price.

2012-08-01T16:31:00Z 2012-08-01T15:52:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Fake-Car-Buying-Websites-347kb.aspx Hilton Vasey

Trading Standards are warning Staffordshire residents to be aware of a pension bonus telephone scam. The scammers are telephoning people and stating they are from the Pension Helpline.

2012-05-28T17:03:00Z 2012-05-28T16:58:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Pension-Bonus-Scam-.aspx Hilton Vasey

Warning after attempted distraction burglary by bogus trading standards officers. People in Tamworth and surrounding areas are being warned to be vigilant after two men claiming to be trading standards officers talked their way into a Tamworth home.

2012-05-17T13:45:00Z 2012-05-14T10:34:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Warning-distraction-burglary-by-bogus-officers.aspx Christopher Bascombe

Know your rights - Everyone has the same consumer rights regardless of age, so you have the exact same rights as everyone else. Information on what your rights are can now be obtained through Youthbox.

2012-05-09T11:00:00Z 2012-05-09T10:58:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Youthbox.aspx Christopher Bascombe

Following on from the recent Watchdog forums and the issues raised please find attached a guide to internet safety which includes internet security, emails, shopping tips and an online auction guide.

2012-04-25T09:58:00Z 2012-05-09T10:56:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/Internet-Security-Guide.aspx Hilton Vasey

Reports have been received from the Tamworth area that rogue tarmacing / block paving contractors are operating in the area. Traders of this nature may travel around to other areas of the County so please be aware.

2011-06-08T11:09:00Z 2011-06-08T11:16:00Z http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/RogueTarmacingTrader.aspx