Hundreds of dangerous counterfeit squishy toys are still being seized across Scotland - they may: ❌contain dangerous substances which can cause skin irritation, nausea and breathing problems ❌have a strong chemical smell ❌burst/leak during play Read more➡️ https://ow.ly/SNMT50ZGoK7

According to this year's Big Scottish Scam Survey these are the 10 most common scams being experienced in Scotland ⬇️ Find out more about all these scams and more in our #ScamShare bulletin: https://mailchi.mp/2837f3dbb3c1/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-13-august

This week's #ScamShare bulletin has case studies of rogue traders who offer to repair driveways/private roads using materials supposedly left over from a previous job They may start work without being authorised or charge much more than agreed Read more➡️ https://ow.ly/cZXp50ZGoJo

More reports of scammers posing as police officers - they cold call and ask you to help with an investigation into your bank by transferring money to a 'safe account' or purchasing gold Police Officers or your bank will never ask you to do this Read more ➡️ https://ow.ly/ZxI450ZGoG6

Be #ScamAware of texts saying you have not paid for a recent parking session and asking you to click a link to pay immediately They don't say where you supposedly parked Legitimate fines will contain details of the infringement & how to pay Read more➡️ https://ow.ly/QZT650ZGoEB

In this week's #ScamShare bulletin: 🗨️Parking Fine Scams 🗨️Police Impersonation Scams 🗨️'Leftover Tarmac' Scams 🗨️'Ex-offender' Doorstep Scams 🗨️Social Security Scotland: New Text Message Service 🗨️Counterfeit Squishy Toys ➡️ https://mailchi.mp/c5d59d784524/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-27-august

If a trader gives you an estimate, then charges a lot more than you were expecting, you can dispute it The price should be reasonable - you may want to ask another trader to provide an estimate for the work or seek an expert opinion ➡️https://ow.ly/qQzB50ZFtZt #ConfidentConsumer

Has a trader carried out work on your property that is not as initially described or of satisfactory quality? You may be able to claim a repair, replacement or a full or partial refund Find out more about your consumer rights at https://consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/ #ConfidentConsumer

If you hire a trader to carry out work on your property, you have the right to expect it to be completed with reasonable care and skill If not, you're legally entitled to ask them to fix the problem or ask for a refund Find out more: https://consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre #ConfidentConsumer

This week's #ScamShare bulletin has recent case studies of scams related to gardening/landscaping Cold callers often ask for money on the spot, either as a deposit or to pay for materials, but don't return to complete the work Read more➡️ https://ow.ly/aZe850ZEq3t

Scammers are cold calling and offering ‘special deals’ on new phone contracts They often ask for personal and bank details and may ask you to give them a security code sent to you by email or text Never give any details to a cold caller Read more➡️ https://ow.ly/shGg50ZEpZ6

Do you have friends or relatives who are bothered by scam calls? Our PDF with information about common scam calls and how to avoid them can be printed off for those who are not online 👇 #ScamShare #ScamAware https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Phone-Scam-Information.pdf

Be #ScamAware of unexpected messages from friends/family asking you to buy gift cards for them urgently Always verify the request is genuine by calling the person who supposedly sent it on a trusted number ➡️ https://mailchi.mp/4b730fb24ca2/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-20-august#Recent2

Be #ScamAware of cold callers who offer special deals on roof coating and cleaning services Read recent cases in this week's #ScamShare bulletin: https://mailchi.mp/4b730fb24ca2/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-20-august

The latest #ScamShare bulletin has info about cold callers who say they're conducting a health survey, then try to pressure people into buying mobility aids such as mattresses, which are often substandard or unsuitable Read more➡️ https://ow.ly/UF9s50ZEpSy

Each of our 22 #ScamShare Spotlights highlights a common scam and includes info on how to recognise and avoid them 👇 The A4 leaflets can be viewed online or printed off and shared with those not online https://www.tsscot.co.uk/scamshare/

Ask Silver is a free AI-powered scam checking tool accessible via WhatsApp, designed to protect users from scams You can upload a screenshot of suspicious texts, emails, or websites and get a breakdown of red flags and suggestions on staying safe More➡️ https://www.ask-silver.com/

Have you experienced a scam? If you're in Scotland, report it to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or via https://scamwatch.consumeradvice.scot/ Stay #ScamAware

The Cyber and Fraud Hub has a useful guide to keeping children safe online - it covers: 🎮How video games work & how to change settings 📱Social media platforms & safety features 💻Router parental controls 📱Privacy add-ons & settings Download➡️ https://ow.ly/gR4E50ZjibB

Keeping Children Safe Online: A Guide for Parents, Carers, and Guardians — CyberandFraudHub

This guide aims to provide advice to parents, grandparents, carers, guardians, siblings, and children themselves, highlighting key things to look out for to stay safe online.

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Scammers are cold calling and offering ‘special deals’ on new phone contracts They often ask for personal and bank details and may ask you to give them a security code sent to you by email or text Read more➡️ https://mailchi.mp/4b730fb24ca2/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-20-august#Recent4

This week's #ScamShare bulletin has recent case studies of scams related to gardening/landscaping Cold callers often ask for money on the spot, either as a deposit or to pay for materials, but don't return to complete the work Read more➡️ https://ow.ly/FSS850ZCiHT

Be #ScamAware of cold callers who offer special deals on roof coating and cleaning services Read recent cases in this week's #ScamShare bulletin: https://mailchi.mp/4b730fb24ca2/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-20-august

Be #ScamAware of unexpected emails or social media messages from friends/family asking you to buy gift cards for them urgently Always verify that the request is genuine by calling the person who supposedly sent it on a trusted number Read more➡️ https://ow.ly/exNP50ZBRkN

In this week's #ScamShare bulletin: 🗨️Roof Coating & Cleaning Scams 🗨️Gift Card Purchase Scams 🗨️Gardening Scams 🗨️Phone Contract Upgrade Scams 🗨️Mobility Aids Scams 🗨️Product Safety & Recent Recalls Please read & share ➡️ https://mailchi.mp/4b730fb24ca2/trading-standards-scotland-bulletin-20-august

Has a trader tried to guilt you into paying for goods/services by saying their job will be at risk if they don’t make a sale? This is an example of aggressive selling and you could have the right to cancel the contract/get a refund ➡️ https://ow.ly/UY5G50ZBmoy #ConfidentConsumer

Has a salesperson overstayed their welcome in your home and refused to leave when asked? This could be an aggressive sales practice and you could have the right to cancel the contract or obtain a refund Find out more➡️ https://ow.ly/j6oA50ZBm7g #ConfidentConsumer

If a trader has used high pressure selling tactics to get you to buy a product or service on the spot, you may have the right to cancel the contract and obtain a full refund within 90 days Find out more: https://consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre #ConfidentConsumer

Be #ScamAware of text messages which appear to be from O2 and say your SIM card will be deactivated unless you take urgent action O2 are not sending these messages - if in doubt, log on to your account via the official website or app rather than clicking a link Read more➡️ https://ow.ly/l2y050ZALA7

Scam TV Licence emails are on the rise. They might: ❌Say a recent payment has failed ❌Say your licence is about to expire ❌Threaten you with legal action or a fine unless you make an urgent payment Read more in our #ScamShare bulletin ➡️ https://ow.ly/SgNS50ZALxS

There have been reports of rogue traders who are contracted to carry out a small repair job, then tell homeowners they've found further work that needs to be done urgently, costing thousands of pounds Read recent case studies ➡️ https://ow.ly/w2Eu50ZALvs