Scammers Shopping for the Elderly

A number of genuine community groups across the County are offering to help the elderly and vulnerable with tasks such as shopping. Although Trading Standards is unaware of problems in the county, there is the potential for scammers to take advantage of the situation, taking payment up front, and not returning.  Be particularly wary of those going door to door, offering these services with no paperwork and contact details. Anyone claiming to be from a charity should have ID. Genuine schemes should be properly organised, with clear paperwork and should give you the option of responding or not.

Bogus Gas Man

Be suspicious of utility providers turning up unannounced at your door. Always ask for identification but check independently with the utility company. In most cases you will have received a letter in advance letting you know work will take place.
Trading Standards advice is to always say NO to cold callers. The Safetrader scheme can help you find a trader in your area, contact 0303 333 1111 or go to www.safetrader.org.u

Beware Property Repair Cold Callers

Trading Standards have received reports of householders being cold called by property repairers and are concerned that rogue traders may take advantage of the current situation, targeting older or vulnerable residents who are self-isolating or shielding.
Trading Standards advice is to say no to cold callers, always get a written quote before agreeing to any work and remember for most contracts agreed at your home you should be given a 14 day cooling off period in writing.

Bogus Coronavirus Testing Kits

Lancashire Police have received reports of door to door sales people offering "home Coronavirus testing kits". Please be aware, such items are fake, no such testing facility is currently available to the public in the UK.

The Police have also received reports of cold callers selling hand sanitiser, masks and rubber gloves and whilst this may not be a scam, this Service would urge you against purchasing these items from anyone other than recognised retailers.  There are reports of some potentially harmful hand sanitiser being sold containing glutaral (or glutaraldehyde), which was banned for human use in 2014.

Price Increases for Goods

The Service is receiving a number of complaints about shops excessively increasing the prices of goods, particularly food stuffs and sanitisation products that are in high demand. Whilst suppliers are free to set their own prices, Trading Standards work closely with the Competition and Markets Authority and will consider any evidence that companies may have broken competition or consumer protection law.
Reports have also been received regarding misleading claims being made about the efficacy of protective equipment and sanitisation products. Please report such practices to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 2231133.

Stayathome Beat boredom with stories of the Bay

Morecambe Bay Partnership's Recording Morecambe Bay Website holds a huge array of fascinating stories and archaeological records from their collection.

Log onto the Morecambe Bay Partnership's website and lose yourself in memories from our oral history archives - from shrimping tales to the Super Swimming Stadium - you can enjoy voices from all corners of the Bay.  You can also explore virtual 3-D models of archaeological sites, discover new historical research or simply enjoy old maps, photographs and information about our shared history.

Not sure where to start? Try the Morecambe Bay Lives Podcasts, the history of Jenny Brown's Point or stories of our fishing industry - music, voices, animations and beautiful images - just check Catching Tales.
We'll keep sharing stories on social media and would love to hear your stories and memories and see your old photographs too. 

Think before you flush

Only the 3Ps "pee, poo and toilet paper" should be flushed - a timely reminder from Hannah, Morecambe Bay Partnership's LOVEmyBEACH Officer. 

Kitchen roll, wet wipes, newspaper and even socks are being used and causing blockages in the sewers and problems in septic tanks.  "If you're stuck, and using alternatives, they go in the bin, not down the loo," said Hannah.  Stick to flushing only the 3Ps to keep our sewers clear and beaches safe and clean for everyone. Learn more at https://lovemybeach.org/at-home/