Latest News
Latest News from the Isle of Wight Trading Standards Service can be found here.
Failure To Register Use Of CCTV Equipment Can Lead To Prosecution By The Information Commissioner’s Office
The Trading Standards Service has recently received this important message from the Information Commissioner’s Office.
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has re-iterated its warning to businesses to register use of CCTV equipment at their premises following prosecution of a bar owner who failed to do so.
A Lancashire bar owner was recently prosecuted by the ICO for failing to register his premises' use of CCTV despite several reminder letters from the ICO. The operator was fined £100 and ordered to pay £250 prosecution costs by Blackpool Magistrates along with an additional £15 victim surcharge.
Licensee should be aware that under the Data Protection Act notification is a legal requirement for organisations processing and collecting CCTV images. Therefore it is important that businesses who operate CCTV equipment notify the ICO, as failure to notify is a criminal offence.
More information on the requirement to notify the ICO can be found on the ICO website www.ico.gov.uk.
A Lancashire bar owner was recently prosecuted by the ICO for failing to register his premises' use of CCTV despite several reminder letters from the ICO. The operator was fined £100 and ordered to pay £250 prosecution costs by Blackpool Magistrates along with an additional £15 victim surcharge.
Licensee should be aware that under the Data Protection Act notification is a legal requirement for organisations processing and collecting CCTV images. Therefore it is important that businesses who operate CCTV equipment notify the ICO, as failure to notify is a criminal offence.
More information on the requirement to notify the ICO can be found on the ICO website www.ico.gov.uk.
Don’t rely on printed MOT certificates when buying cars warns the Trading Standards Institute
Consumers are being warned by the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) NOT to rely on the printed version of new-style MoT certificates when buying cars.
TSI, whose members are engaged in delivering frontline trading standards services in local authorities and businesses, has issued the warning after a 38-year-old man was arrested by Cleveland Police on suspicion of forging MoT test certificates with intent to deceive. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries by the Cleveland Police.
TSI’s motor trade lead officer Gerald Taylor said that new style MoT test certificates are causing concern to police and trading standards because of the ease with which they can be fraudulently reproduced, and that there is a lack of awareness about the fact that paper documents are no longer proof of existence of a valid MOT certificate.
Mr Taylor said: “When the new certificates were first implemented in October 2011 they were only intended to be a receipt for the MoT. The actual record and full details are stored online at the VOSA website, which can be accessed by going via the www.direct.gov.uk website.
“A public awareness campaign has never been launched by the Department for Transport explaining exactly what members of the public should do. When the new system went live, the Trading Standards Institute voiced its concerns to the Minister of Transport and was been assured that this will be taken into consideration when the progress of the new system is reviewed later in 2012.
“We are concerned that motorists still do not know that paper certificates are no longer proof of existence of a valid MoT certificate.
TSI, whose members are engaged in delivering frontline trading standards services in local authorities and businesses, has issued the warning after a 38-year-old man was arrested by Cleveland Police on suspicion of forging MoT test certificates with intent to deceive. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries by the Cleveland Police.
TSI’s motor trade lead officer Gerald Taylor said that new style MoT test certificates are causing concern to police and trading standards because of the ease with which they can be fraudulently reproduced, and that there is a lack of awareness about the fact that paper documents are no longer proof of existence of a valid MOT certificate.
Mr Taylor said: “When the new certificates were first implemented in October 2011 they were only intended to be a receipt for the MoT. The actual record and full details are stored online at the VOSA website, which can be accessed by going via the www.direct.gov.uk website.
“A public awareness campaign has never been launched by the Department for Transport explaining exactly what members of the public should do. When the new system went live, the Trading Standards Institute voiced its concerns to the Minister of Transport and was been assured that this will be taken into consideration when the progress of the new system is reviewed later in 2012.
“We are concerned that motorists still do not know that paper certificates are no longer proof of existence of a valid MoT certificate.
”The downloaded certificate in its present form can be altered and abused at will using the simplest of computer software available with nearly every personal computer. Purchasers – whether private or trade - should NOT rely on printed MoT certificates when buying cars.
“There is also the possibility that unscrupulous traders, and service and repair outlets, could agree to MOT a vehicle and charge accordingly but not carry out the test at all – the prospective purchaser would be none the wiser unless they go online.”
Mr Taylor emphasized that the only way to ensure a vehicle has been MoT tested is to check online.
He said: “To do this the consumer will need the serial number of the MoT Certificate or the serial number of the V5. Extra vigilance should be exercised when purchasing older cars, ensuring an online check is always made prior to finalising the purchase.”
“There is also the possibility that unscrupulous traders, and service and repair outlets, could agree to MOT a vehicle and charge accordingly but not carry out the test at all – the prospective purchaser would be none the wiser unless they go online.”
Mr Taylor emphasized that the only way to ensure a vehicle has been MoT tested is to check online.
He said: “To do this the consumer will need the serial number of the MoT Certificate or the serial number of the V5. Extra vigilance should be exercised when purchasing older cars, ensuring an online check is always made prior to finalising the purchase.”
He had this advice for prospective purchasers: “A reasonable seller would probably show a consumer the online check there and then as it is of no additional cost to the seller. If the seller won’t do this or wait until the consumer has completed an online check themselves our best advice is to walk away from the deal.”
Members of the public should report any information regarding the fraudulent use of MoT certificates to their local police using the non-emergency 101 number.
WOW Festivals Ltd
Any communications that people may need to make with the company regarding the cancelled event, should be sent c/o their liquidator
Mr Ian Rose
Silke and Co Ltd
1st Floor
Consort House
Waterdale
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN1 3HR
Silke and Co Ltd
1st Floor
Consort House
Waterdale
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN1 3HR
Don’t Be Caught By FAKE Ticketing Websites
Research from the Office of Fair Trading reveals that one in twelve ticket buyers have been caught out by scam ticket websites with victims losing an average of £80 each. Last year alone, thousands of people lost money over scam sites, offering tickets for everything from the V Festival to George Michael’s 02 concert.
Everyone should check that the website selling the tickets is legitimate before they buy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Use the dedicated website of the venue or event.
- Beware of sites selling tickets to events that haven’t gone on sale or that guarantee tickets to events that have been sold out.
- Pay for tickets by credit card. In this way the card issuer is jointly liable for the failure to provide goods or services if the price paid is over £100. (will not apply to a ticket transaction if less than £100 but if total transaction for tickets (more than one) is in excess of £100 then will be covered). Debit cards do not give you this protection.
For more information visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/ticketscams
Schmallenburg Virus
For current updated information of the virus which affects cattle, sheep and goats go to Farming Link News Alerts or for more details on the virus go to www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/tag/Schmallenberg/ .
Recall of tropical seed bracelets
The bracelets have been on sale in the Eden Project's shops for around a year
The Eden Project has withdrawn from sale bracelets which are decorated with a potentially lethal tropical seed.
The red and black bracelets contain a seed called abrus precatorius. It contains the toxin abrin, a controlled substance under the Terrorism Act that if swallowed can kill in doses of just 3 micrograms.
Eden is asking anyone who bought such a bracelet from the Eden Shop in the past year to return it for a refund.
Mr Rowe said he believed a number of other outlets in the UK were also selling the bracelet, from company Rainstick Trading, which was based in Suffolk.
Anyone who has bought one of these bracelets should bag them and then wash their hands and avoid touching their eyes, then contact the Trading Standards Service on 823370.
Know your Consumer Rights Campaign
The Office of Fair Trading has produced a toolkit designed to help Trading Standards and other organisations in their work with consumers and have launched the Know your Consumer Rights Campaign They have also produced a toolkit which includes practical advice (for both consumers and businesses) that Trading Standards and others can use to encourage the successful management and delivery of home repairs and improvements projects. It also includes suggestions for how this advice could be publicised locally to make consumers and businesses aware of the practical steps they can be taking to minimise the potential for complaints:
Home Repairs and Improvements - Business Top Tips (pdf 198kb)
Home Repairs and Improvements - Consumer Top Tips (pdf 148kb)
Home Repairs and Improvements - Consumer Top Tips Checklist (pdf 234kb)
Energy firms agree to respect consumers who say no to cold callers
After a lengthy campaign by energy watchdog Consumer Focus and the Trading Standards Institute the big six energy companies have stated that they will now respect the wishes of the people who live in recognised ‘no cold calling zones’ or display signs saying no to cold callers. This became part of the EnergySure Code of practice in October 2010. The 6 Energy companies involved are EDF, E.ON, npower, Centrica, Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern Energy.
The Island has several No Cold Calling Zones and the residents in these areas will have been supplied with stickers and information by their local Parish or Town Council who have been supported by the Trading Standards Service and the Police when deciding to create zones in their areas.
No Cold Caller signs are a good way to say no. If you have got a no cold caller sign and someone knocks, you can simply point at it and say “please read the sign and go away”.
If you do not have a sign the following link will take you to a sign which is endorsed by the Trading Standards Institute.
Please click here to download a free printable ‘No Cold Callers’ sign from the Trading Standards Institute & Money Saving Expert.
Please click here to download a No Cold Calling sticker from the Isle of Wight Trading Standards Service.
For more information on No Cold Calling Zones please click here.
Page last updated on: 31/01/2013
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