Trading Standards Alerts – Guston Parish Council

Dear Kent Residents,

Doorstep criminals have been active this week in Maidstone, Ashford, Faversham and Sheerness, knocking on doors and claiming there are issues with roofs, such as loose or damaged tiles.

In several cases, residents have been pressured into agreeing to work, given invoices with little or no trader details, or made to feel intimidated.

Please be alert and warn your vulnerable friends and family to never respond to cold callers as you will pay a high cost for unnecessary and poor-quality work.

If you need work done on your home or garden use a safe, local trader from Trading Standards Checked.

Report cold callers anonymously to the charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online here.

For further advice call Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.

For scam alerts as they are issued please add us on Instagram or Facebook.

Thank you.

Mark Rolfe
Head of Community Protection

⚠️ This week, DPD delivery text scams have been targeting residents.

These messages often claim:
🔴 A delivery has been missed
🔴 There is an unpaid delivery fee that needs to be settled

🚨 These are scams. Do not reply to the message or click any links.

✅ What to do instead:

If you think a message could be genuine, visit the official DPD website directly
Use trusted tracking information or contact details found on their website, not those in the message

➡️ Report to National Cyber Security Centre: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams
➡️ Get advice from Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline: 0808 223 1133

⚠️Scammers are taking advantage of the Financial Conduct Authority’s car finance compensation scheme.

Consumer group Which? has warned about fake texts, emails and websites claiming you are owed compensation for mis-sold car finance.

These scams are designed to trick you into sharing personal and sensitive information.

If you receive a message like this:
🔴 do not click links
🔴 do not share personal details
🔴 delete the message

➡️ Report to National Cyber Security Centre: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams
➡️ Advice from Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline: 0808 223 1133

⚠️ Planning to buy tickets or attend summer events and concerts? Stay alert to ticket fraud.

Ticket fraud remains common during busy event seasons. Criminals often use fake adverts, emails and messages to sell tickets that do not exist.
✅ Protect yourself:

Buy only from official sellers or authorised resale sites
Avoid paying by bank transfer
Be cautious of unexpected offers or pressure to buy quickly
Check for STAR membership (Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers)

🚨 If you have shared bank or card details, contact your bank immediately by calling 159
☎️ For free advice and to report a scam, contact Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline: 0808 223 1133

⚠️ Every year, reports are received of online websites selling fake flight tickets to Kent residents.

The scam typically involves purchasing flight tickets through an unofficial or fake booking website. Victims often only discover the fraud when they arrive at the airport and are told there is no record of their booking. In many cases, refunds are not possible.

✅ How to protect yourself:

Only book flights through official airline websites or well‑known, trusted travel providers
Be cautious of websites offering flight prices that seem too good to be true
Check reviews and ensure secure payment methods before booking

➡️ For advice and to report a scam, contact Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline: 0808 223 1133

⚠️Product Recall for Baby Sleeping Bag sold by Matalan, the product presents a risk of suffocation

🔴Product details
Product code: C295792, C295833, C295842, C296328, C296559
Barcodes: 295792000019, 295833000015, 2295842000020,296328000015, 2296559000013

✅Advice for consumers
The products have been recalled from end users by Matalan. We recommend that consumers stop using this product immediately and return it to the nearest Matalan store for a full refund. No receipt is required.

➡️More information

⚠️Food Alert Tesco has recalled its Finest Summer Edition Chocolate Affogato Dessert because it may contain pieces of plastic.

🔴 Product details:
Pack size: 538g
Best Before: All dates up to and including April 2027

✅Advice for consumers
If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead, return it to any Tesco store for a full refund. For further information, please visit Tesco’s contact Tesco page at: tesco.com/help/contact.

➡️More information

Trading Standards Checked carries out checks on traders so customers can have peace of mind when choosing a tradesperson to do work in their home.

Please help to keep your family and community safe.

If you need work done in your home or garden, visit the website to find a safe, local tradesperson.

Visit Trading Standards Checked

Looking for a great place to eat in Kent? The Food Standards Agency has the latest food recalls and an online food hygiene rating checker.

Get the latest food recalls

SPEAK UP. STAY SAFE

To report scams and get advice on consumer issues call Citizen’s Advice consumer helpline on
0808 223 1133.

Report to Citizens Advice

If you have information on doorstep criminals, counterfeit, fake or illegal goods, illicit tobacco, loan sharks or those selling restricted items to underage kids, call the charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111

Report to Crimestoppers

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