Trading Standards Service
Get Safe Online
Get Safe Online recently launched A Rough Guide to Online Safety. This is a joint initiative between the Government, law enforcement, leading businesses and the public sector. The aim is to provide computer users and small businesses with free, independent, user-friendly advice that will allow them to use the internet confidently, safely and securely.
Forty percent of computer users have experienced virus attacks and it is estimated that over a thousand new computer viruses emerge every month. With significant potential for online viruses, scams and privacy violations, the “ Rough Guide to Online Safety “ provides a snapshot of digital security and smart surfing for every scenario.
The objective is to encourage everyone to take some time out of their week to learn more about internet safety and to make sure that their computer is properly protected.
The risks are serious but prevention is easy. A few hours is all you need. It's a small price to pay compared to the huge hassle of dealing with viruses, identity theft and online fraud.
Please click the link below for Free Get Safe Online Advice
http://www.getsafeonline.org/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=1826
Gas Safety
Trading Standards raise awareness of gas safety in the home.
Trading Standards aim to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances. Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas. You can’t see it, taste it or smell it, but it can kill quickly with no warning.
By taking care of your gas appliances properly you are taking care of your home and your loved ones. Follow these top tips to help keep you and your family gas safe:
- make sure only a Gas Safe registered engineer works on your gas appliances
- make sure gas appliances have a regular service and an annual gas safety check,
- always check the engineer's Gas Safe Register ID card
Follow our top tips on how to be Gas Safe at home this winter
We rely on our gas boilers, cookers and fires more than ever during winter to keep warm, have hot baths and showers and cook hot meals. It’s important that gas appliances are regularly serviced to help keep us safe and prevent them from breaking down when we need them the most.
Be Gas Safe and don’t get left out in the cold this winter. Make sure you only use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fix, fit or service your gas appliances including your:
- Gas boiler
- Gas cooker
- Gas fire
Download this top tips fact sheet on how to keep Gas Safe this winter.
If you have a gas emergency this winter then you can call the National Gas Emergency Service for free 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0800 111 999.
Doorstep Selling
Have you been cold-called by someone offering to carry out work at your home, such as tarring your driveway or offering to sell you goods such as double glazing or alarm systems?
Although doorstep trading is not illegal, you may be putting your money at risk by purchasing from such traders. While the prices being offered may be tempting, hasty decisions made on the doorstep can sometimes result in agreeing to work that isn't necessary, that turns out to be more expensive than quoted or that's carried out to a poor standard if it's done at all.
Trading Standards have seen a significant increase in complaints over the last three years and are keen to remind consumers to take some sensible precautions before agreeing to any work being done.
Don’t be pressured into letting a trader start work straight away. Many rogues will try to make the homeowner feel that the offer is for a limited time and if they don't sign up they'll miss out.
Ask friends, family and neighbours if they can recommend a reliable, trustworthy tradesperson
Get at least 3 written quotes. Choose the tradesman who offers the best value taking into account the quality of workmanship and reliability, not just the cheapest.
Check any name and address the trader provides is genuine. Rogue traders often won’t provide an address or they will provide false information.
Do not be misled by the presence of a local telephone number in an advert or on a flyer. Itinerants frequently use such numbers to give the impression that they are local.
Do not use a trader who asks for money up front. Many rogue traders will say they need money to pay for materials or to pay their workers, then disappear as soon as the money is handed over.
Never pay until the job is completed and you are satisfied with the standard of work. consumers about problems associated with doorstep sellers and to ensure consumers know their rights and where they can obtain help if necessary.
Case studies
A resident near Stonehaven was cold-called by men offering to do tarring work at a cost of £2 per square foot. The resident asked for two potholes to be filled and expected this to cost £40 to £50. However, the workmen tarred a much larger area and then demanded £1600.
An Aberdeenshire resident contacted a landscaper through an ad in Yellow Pages. The trader used an 01224 number so the consumer believed he was local. However, calls to the number were redirected to the trader’s mobile phone. The trader was given a substantial deposit and disappeared without doing any work.
An elderly gentleman negotiated to get a lockblock drive laid for £2500. When the work was finished the trader demanded £3500. Despite feeling the work was shoddy the consumer felt threatened and eventually agreed to pay £3000. The trader returned next day demanding a further £500 and threatening to damage his property if he didn’t receive his money. The consumer had to call the police to get them to leave.
A son contacted Trading Standards very concerned about his elderly parents. His father had received a telephone call from a company offering to supply an alarm system and they were subsequently visited by a salesman. The salesman stayed for 4 hours and persuaded him to sign a contract for an alarm system for £5000 which they didn’t need.
The Office of Fair Trading and Age UK have joined forces and are also warning people, particularly those in later life, the vulnerable and their friends and family, to be wary of rogue doorstep traders offering home improvement services.
Public information films can be viewed by clicking below.
Office of Fair Trading's You Tube Channel
For further information or to obtain any leaflets on Doorstep Selling please E mail trading.standards@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Distance Selling Hub Launched
The Distance Selling Hub is is an online resource aimed at supporting businesses by providing information on legal compliance if they sell goods and services at a distance from the consumer. The hub provides guidance for retailers on regulations that affect buying and selling goods and services via the internet, phone, mail order, email, interactive TV or text. The DS hub has everything a business needs to know about these regulations, and improving familiarity with them can save time, money and help retain customers. www.oft.gov.uk/distanceselling
Sale of Goods Act (SOGA) hub launched
Developed in consultation with retailers, Trading Standards, trade associations and business support organisations, the hub provides comprehensive and up to date guidance on the Sale of Goods Act.
The hub contains training materials which are available to access online or to download in a variety of formats. You can also print and save. Please click the link below.
Consumers
If you are a consumer and would like some general information on your rights when purchasing goods and services please visit the consumer section.
If however you require consumer advice or wish to report a consumer “scam” please contact our partners Consumer Direct Scotland on 08454 040506 (Minicom users should call on 08451 28 13 84) between 8.00am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday and from 9.00am to 1.00pm on Saturdays.
To contact Consumer Direct Scotlandvisit their website or click on the logo below.
If you do not require consumer advice but wish to contact us about another matter you can email us on the following link. Please ensure you supply a postal address and telephone number to help us provide a prompt response. trading.standards@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Business
We provide advice and assistance to traders in the Aberdeenshire area to help them comply with Trading Standards legislation.
Metrological Calibration Services for Businesses
We also have a licensing function and can offer metrological calabration services for businesses. For more information please visit our business section.
