Help and advice on scam prevention and product safety warnings
Trading Standards warns of car buyer scam targeting private sellers
Warwickshire County Council is warning residents who are selling their cars privately to be alert to fraudsters posing as genuine car buyers.
Reports suggest that fraudsters are approaching sellers in groups of three or more. They typically begin by acting like legitimate buyers, taking the vehicle out for a test drive and asking to see paperwork and the vehicle’s service history.
One of the fraudsters will then distract the seller while another opens the bonnet to ‘examine the engine’. During this distraction, they may tamper with electrical cables and pour oil over the engine or into the cooling system.
As a result, the vehicle may fail to start properly, warning lights may appear on the dashboard, or oil may be seen leaking underneath the car. The fraudsters then claim the vehicle has serious faults and attempt to negotiate a significantly lower price, sometimes reducing their offer by several thousand pounds. More information and advice
Stop and check before you pay!
Scams don’t all look the same. Some start quickly, some build up over time. That makes them hard to spot. But there is one point where they all cause harm, when money is involved!
So, when you’re asked to pay, take a moment. Stop and Check Before You Pay. Find more advice
Safety warning some popular “squishy” toys may not meet UK standards
Food‑shaped “squishy” sensory toys – often designed to look like items such as donuts or dumplings – are trending online, driven by viral videos and collectible designs.
But Trading Standards activity in the UK has identified some products that may not meet basic safety requirements.
Concerns reported include:
- Strong chemical smells
- Missing safety labelling and supplier details
- Skin irritation or nausea
- Choking risk if damaged
- Burns if heated
Some imitation versions have also been found not to meet UK toy safety standards.
Products that are very cheap, have a strong chemical smell, or lack clear labelling may present a higher risk.
For consumers: UKCA/CE marking and clear supplier details can help identify safer products.
For businesses: Products should meet UK safety requirements before being sold and be sourced from reputable suppliers.
Report concerns via Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133
Don’t pay the ransom: Warning to organisations to protect themselves from ransomware attacks as more than 320 businesses affected last year
Businesses are being warned about ransomware attacks and how to report them, as new figures reveal 323 companies were targeted last year, equating to more than 26 attacks each month.
Financial losses totalling around £270,000 were reported, a 50 per cent increase compared to previous year. However, these figures are likely to be much higher, as businesses often underreport financial losses, as admission of ransom payments could be seen as supporting criminal activity or breaching compliance regulations.
How does it work?
A ransomware attack happens when cyber criminals, who are part of an organised crime group, find a vulnerability in a company’s network to gain access, then establish control and plant malware into the company’s encryption software. The malware planted is designed to prevent a person or business from accessing a device and the data stored on it.
Once the malware is activated, it locks devices and access to data across the company’s network and the cyber criminals behind the attack will then demand a ransom via an onscreen notification in exchange to decrypt the files or data held. The cyber criminals will often use an untraceable payment method, likely using a cryptocurrency.
What to do if you’re under a ransomware attack
- If you are a small or medium sized enterprise currently experiencing a ransomware attack, you should report it immediately by calling Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Report Fraud has a 24/7 phone line dedicated for businesses, charities or organisations who are under a cyber attack.
- Do not pay the ransom. The National Cyber Security Centre and UK law enforcement do not encourage, endorse or condone the payment of ransom demands. There is no guarantee that access can be regained to data held and devices could still be infected.
Take the right steps to ensure your organisation is protected against ransomware by looking at the advice and guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre
Businesses and organisations can also ensure they are protected against the most common cyber threats using further resources from the National Cyber Security Centre:
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