Toy safety advice; e-bike and e-scooter safety; avoid loan sharks; and much more

Heart of the South West Trading Standards Consumer news

Watch: how to ensure toys are safe this Christmas

To help you ensure that the toys and electrical items you buy this Christmas are safe, watch our two short videos in which a Trading Standards Officer shares top tips and advice on what to look for and what to avoid.

E-bike and e-scooter warning

We're advising consumers and businesses to ensure that e-scooters and Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (e-bikes) are safe and compliant with the correct safety regulations before they are purchased, sold or hired out.

And businesses are reminded that it is their responsibility to inform customers that e-scooters are not currently legal for use on roads or other public highways unless a specific scheme is in place.

This warning follows a market surveillance operation on electronic vehicle safety by our Service and a recent safety message by the Office for Product Safety and Standards which highlights the steps people should take when owning or thinking of buying an e-bike or scooter.

Protect yourself from loan sharks

The lead up to Christmas can be an expensive time and knowing where to go to get the right help can be tricky. We want you to know the red flags of loan sharks, so you can protect yourself. Loan sharks:

can pose as your friend and draw you in with a loan, no questions asked.
often don’t provide any paperwork or receipts and will add huge amounts of interest on what you owe.
can become aggressive and threaten you and your family if payments are missed or late.
can take valuables or personal documents as security.

If you recognise any of these signs there are people to help. Stop Loan Sharks are here to provide help and support for anyone involved with a loan shark. Contact them on 0300 555 2222.

Avian influenza - latest situation

Visit our avian influenza webpage to learn about the latest situation in the Heart of the South West, disease control measures in place, and how to spot and report the disease in your birds.

‘Crime doesn’t pay’; Rogue builder told to pay back over £200,000

Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service prosecuted a rogue builder earlier this year, and now that builder could be paying out for ‘the rest of his life’.

Read full story: ‘Crime doesn’t pay’; Rogue builder told to pay back over £200,000.

Tradesman who pressured vulnerable customer fined

A tradesman who pressured a vulnerable pensioner into paying £2,000 to have loft insulation removed and then bombarded her with aggressive calls demanding she pay the £5,000 balance, has been prosecuted.

Read full story: Tradesman who pressured vulnerable customer fined.

Rogue trader ordered to repay elderly victim £27,500

A rogue trader has been ordered to pay almost £40,000 after convincing a pensioner to let him carry out roofing work that wasn’t needed.

Read full story: Rogue trader ordered to repay elderly victim £27,500.

Illegal tobacco seized

Illegal tobacco and vapes worth almost £100,000 have been seized from five premises across Plymouth.

Read full story: Illegal tobacco seized.

‘Toolkit’ will help protect students from scams

A recent survey (2022) found that a third of students had a personal experience of being scammed – and across the South West last year young people aged 18-22 lost a total of £73,361,101 to fraudsters.

The Student Scams Toolkit: Empowering Students with Awareness and Knowledge has been produced by Trading Standards South West in conjunction with our service and aims to give young people the tools to protect themselves from fraudsters.

Read full story: ‘Toolkit’ will help protect students from scams.

Trading Standards South West's '12 Days of Christmas Safety'

In the run-up to 25 December, Trading Standards South West are featuring the '12 Days of Christmas Safety' to help everyone have a safe and happy Christmas. Follow them on Facebook and X to get their tips.

Action Fraud's 12 Frauds of Christmas

During the festive period, Action Fraud are highlighting a different fraud type every day to help you keep your money safe and out of the pockets of criminals. Follow them on Facebook, X and Instagram to learn how to stay safe from fraud this Christmas.

Christmas and New Year opening times

Our offices will be closed over Christmas and New Year. Find out how to get consumer advice and about contacting us for business support during this period.

What do you think our priorities should be? Let us know in our short survey.

This newsletter is produced by the Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service. Commissioned by Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay Councils.