Householders are urged to be on their guard following reports that fraudsters, falsely claiming to be trading standards officers, are operating in Devon and Somerset.
Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service says that the fraudsters have been knocking on doors and 'advising' residents that they can obtain a refund and compensation following poor work carried out previously.
The resident is then told by the officer that for the claim to proceed £1000 must be paid into a specific bank account, the details of which are provided by the fake officer.
Illegal skin lighteners, containing potentially harmful products, have been found on sale in our region.
Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service say that the creams are similar to products which have been on sale in London. Trading Standards officers have seized a considerable quantity of illegal skin lightening creams that were being sold over the internet by a Devon-based trader.
The creams, which were being imported from the Philippines without any safety checks being carried out, contain hydroquinone, a bleaching agent.
A merger of Devon & Somerset Trading Standards Service with Torbay’s has been approved by Devon County Council’s Cabinet today (Wednesday 8 March).
The proposal to extend Devon and Somerset’s shared service to include the unitary authority, would give all three councils ‘greater clout’ at a time of significant financial pressure, regulatory change and increasing demand.
The proposal has already been approved by Torbay Council’s elected Mayor, Gordon Oliver in the policy development and decision group on 18 January 2017. The proposal will be considered shortly by...
Devon and Somerset Trading Standards have issued a warning to prospective dog purchasers, advising them to beware of buying from illegal puppy dealers.
Increasing numbers of puppies are being illegally imported into the UK from puppy farms across Europe.
Often they're too young to have left their mothers, and having endured long journeys to the UK, many arrive seriously ill or die within days of being sold.
Devon and Somerset Trading Standards received, on average, a complaint per week during 2016 from people seeking advice about newly purchased sick, mid-described...
A Mid Devon farmer has pleaded guilty to failing to dispose of animal remains, failing to provide a suitable environment for his livestock and causing unnecessary suffering to a ewe.
The case was heard at Exeter Crown Court (4th November) following an investigation by Devon & Somerset Trading Standards Service (DSTSS).
Kenneth John Tucker, 67, of Curtis Gardens, Crediton, pleaded guilty to charges relating to his treatment of sheep, cattle, pigs and dogs under his care.
Officers from the DSTSS officers and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) paid a number...
A company director who offered to clean carpets in Devon and West Sussex at rock-bottom prices before hiking them up by 1,000 per cent has been found guilty of fraud.
At Exeter Crown Court on Friday 23 September, Adam Joseph Vallier, 34, of Hannington Road, Pokesdown, Bournemouth, was convicted of misleading consumers following a five-day trial.
The successful prosecution follows an investigation by Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service.
Vallier traded under A Star Carpet Cleaning Ltd and Premier Carpet Cleaning Ltd from addresses in Dorset and Bournemouth...
A Barnstaple man has been handed an eight month sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting to selling fake DVDs, phone covers and clothing online.
Appearing at Exeter Crown Court, Shaun Ryan, aged 34 of Wool Barn Road, pleaded guilty to six charges of selling and possessing counterfeit goods.
The case was brought by Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service after a test purchase of a ‘Game of Thrones’ DVD box set from Mr Ryan’s eBay shop, ‘ryanzenterprise’, was found to be phony.
During the investigation, Trading Standards officers discovered nearly 170...
Legitimate businesses in East Devon are giving Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service a helping hand in its fight against rogue traders.
Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service, Devon & Cornwall Police, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and HMRC all took part in a day-long operation.
Trading Standards officers and Police Community Support Officers talked to legitimate traders and builder merchants in Kilmington, Axminster, Honiton, Sidmouth, Seaton and Colyton asking them to help trading standards officers protect the vulnerable from doorstep crime....
Two rogue traders who conned vulnerable pensioners out of almost £100,000 have been jailed.
Following a joint investigation by Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards and Devon and Somerset Trading Standards, Hughie Fury, 33, of Gospel Oak Lane, Pathlow and Clayton Foster, 33 of Pathlow Park, Pathlow, Warwickshire were both jailed for two years at Warwick Crown Court.
The pair worked together to defraud elderly residents out of £96,200. Their victims will receive a full refund.
Both Fury and Foster pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy to defraud and were...
