Recent Trading Standards News
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“Watch out for fake goods and bogus websites this Christmas” warns Highland Council Trading Standards (15/11/11)
The Highland Council Trading Standards Service is warning consumers not to be duped into buying counterfeit sports clothes and equipment from bogus websites, as part of the National Consumer Week 2011 campaign entitled “Good Sports Don’t Fake it”.
Launch of Internet delivery charges survey (10/11/11)
In order to understand the extent of the problem of Internet delivery charges, The Highland Council’s Trading Standards team are looking to gather evidence from Highland consumers and small businesses about any malpractice they have experienced and to trace and tackle those businesses that fall foul of internet trading law.
Shops pass under-age fireworks sales tests (08/11/11)
Trading Standards of The Highland Council are praising the vigilence of Highland retailers following a recent test-purchasing exercise in which no sales of fireworks were made to an under-age volunteer.
Highland householders advised to research solar panel deals (13/10/11)
The benefits associated with the increased use of solar panels and other renewable energy sources in homes are clearly recognised by The Highland Council.
Police and Trading Standards warn of possible scam (11/10/11)
Northern Constabulary and The Highland Council are warning the public of a possible 'scam' after receiving reports from people who recently responded to a 'mystery shoppers' advert in a local newspaper. The advert invites people to pose as a 'mystery shopper' and test the services provided by businesses in return for payment.
Inverness holidaymakers warned, don't make fake goods your excess baggage. (07/10/11).Issued by Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency. Passengers jetting off from Inverness Airport this weekend will be warned about the risks of buying fake goods while abroad.
Fixed penalty notices served in under-age tobacco sales exercise (26/09/11)
As a result of a test-purchase exercise undertaken across the Highlands that used the services of a young volunteer, The Highland Council Trading Standards has recently issued two fixed penalties for under-age sales of cigarettes.
Highland tobacco retailers urged to register (16/09/11)
The Highland Council’s Trading Standards is reminding all businesses selling tobacco that they have less than three weeks to register with the Scottish Government if they wish to continue to sell tobacco products.
Highland Council Black Isle Show competition winners announced (23/08/11)
The winners of competitions and a prize draw organised by The Highland Council at the Black Isle Show have been announced.
Warning on new council tax phone scam (22/08/11)
Trading Standards Officers from The Highland Council are warning residents that a Council Tax scam may be operating in the region.
Doorstep campaign supported by Council (20/07/11)
Office of Fair Trading - Doorstep selling campaign. The Highland Council is working with the Office of Fair Trading to warn the public of doorstep visits from rogue traders offering to carry out home repairs and gardening work. They are urging householders to be extra careful when accepting building and maintenance repair offers from cold callers.
Trading Standards warn of potentially dangerous giant cigarette lighters (01/07/11)
The Highland Council’s Trading Standards are warning the public of the potential dangers of some extra large cigarette lighters after finding some on sale in the Highlands which have failed safety tests.
Don’t be caught out by bogus holiday clubs and scams warns Highland Council Trading Standards (29/06/11)
Advice and Enforcement staff from The Highland Council’s Trading Standards will be on hand this weekend at Inverness Airport to offer advice and information to Highland holidaymakers heading for the sun.
Delivery charges discussed with MP (03/06/11)
The challenges of tackling problems faced by Highland consumers in both identifying and understanding delivery charges made by internet and mail order traders was highlighted at a meeting today (Friday) between Trading Standards Officers of The Highland Council and Danny Alexander, MP for Inverness Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey.
Highland householders warned to be on guard against doorstep rogue itinerant traders. (05/05/11)
Trading Standard officers from The Highland Council are calling on residents to be on their guard against rogue itinerant traders calling door at their door.
The Highland Council secures a court order against local hotel (25/03/11)
As a result of an investigation by Trading Standards Officers of The Highland Council into complaints received over significant period time about the Polmaily House Hotel, near Drumnadrochit,
Council Convener warns of Euro millions Lottery scam (17/03/11)
Convener of The Highland Council, Councillor Sandy Park is warning people in the Highlands not to be duped by unsolicited letters informing them that they are winners of the Euro millions Lottery.
Police warn residents about a possible Inland Revenue scam (25/02/11)
Issued by the Northern Constabulary. Police in Portree are warning householders to be aware of a potential email scam being circulated by people claiming to be from the Inland Revenue.
Scams alert campaign launched by Highland Council Trading Standards (31/01/11)
Highland Council Trading Standards in partnership with The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) annual Scams Awareness Month is reminding consumers to be ever vigilant against possible scams.
Council to step up vigilance on tobacco sales and counterfeit products (21/01/11)
Trading standards officers at The Highland Council are set to step up their vigilance on the sale and marketing of tobacco as the result of new legislative changes being introduced by the Scottish Government from 1 April, this year.
Crimestoppers cracks down on counterfeiting in the Highlands (22/11/10)
Scotland Crimestoppers launched a campaign this week in the Highlands to tackle counterfeiting and raise awareness of the more serious links it has to organised crime.
Illegal fireworks sales to children (29/10/2010)
A fresh warning has gone out to those involved in the sale of fireworks that it is an offence to sell fireworks to anyone under 18 years of age. This follows an undercover test purchasing exercise over the past week, which resulted in three of the 12 retailers involved selling fireworks to an underage customer.
Evanton student is National e-Consumer Week prize draw winner(27/10/2010)
Inverness College student, Lucy Wilson from Evanton has won the ‘Free Pizza and Movie Night for Two’ prize draw held as part of National e-Consumer Week by Highland Council Trading Standards Service during September 2010.
Don’t be caught out by ‘free’ offers and trials online warns Highland Council Trading Standards (30/09/10) Highland Council Trading Standards are warning other consumers to be on their guard when responding to online classified adverts or advertising features after hearing from Highland consumer, Ms Jessica Thomas
National e-Consumer Week 2010 - Students stay safe online with internet shopping tips (14/09/10). As part of National Consumer Week 2010, Highland Council Trading Standards is raising awareness with students in Inverness on how to be safe shoppers online.
Local business alerted to counterfeiting (07/09/10). Trading Standards officers of The Highland Council are launching an initiative to tackle the sale of counterfeit goods within the workplace.
Council Tax rebate scam (09/08/10).The Highland Council’s Finance and Trading Standards teams have been alerted to the fact that Highland residents are currently being targeted by a Council Tax rebate scam.
Highland residents warned to be on guard against free home alarm offers (07/07/10) Highland Council Trading Standards are warning all residents to be on their guard when answering ‘cold-call’ telephone sales calls offering a ‘free home fire and security survey’, if they agree to a home visit by sales staff.
Local jewellery firm convicted of selling unhallmarked jewellery(04/06/10) TEK Jewellery Ltd trading as Lapis Gold pled guilty to selling unhallmarked gold jewellery at Inverness Sheriff Court this week and was fined £900.
Consumers warned to be on their guard for doorstep callers in the Highlands. (10/05/10) Highland Council Trading Standards Service is calling on consumers, to be on their guard against rogue itinerant traders calling door to door.
Highland Trading Standards Officers alert public to resurgence of free alarm offers (19/02/10) Highland consumers are being 'cold called' at home with the promise of free household alarm systems. However, the offer may sound too good to be true and Highland Council Trading Standards Service are warning householders to be on their guard.
Drop in and drop them in it. Highland Council Trading Standards Scam Watch Campaign Launched (27/01/10)
Throughout February 2010, Highland Council Trading Standards are taking part in the ‘Scamnesty 2010’ national campaign in a bid to end the scourge of mass marketed scams mailings targeting UK consumers.
Council warns be careful cyber shopping and beware of counterfeit goods (14/12/09)
The Highland Council’s Trading Standards are advising consumers to buy from reputable websites and be wary of websites selling cheap designer goods, DVDs, CDs etc as they may turn out to by counterfeit.
Savvy students are at the cutting edge in young consumer rights competition (11/12/09)
Four pupils of Dingwall Academy have retained the North of Scotland Young Consumer of the Year Competition held on Friday 11th December at The Highland Council Chamber, Inverness.
Savvy shopper Catherine – knows her consumer rights (03/12/09)
Inverness shopper, Catherine Mackie, won top prize in The Highland Council Trading Standards ‘Know Your Consumer Rights Quiz’.
Home reports: a year of change for house sellers and buyers (30/11/09)
On the first anniversary of the introduction of Home Reports for house sales, Trading Standards Officers at The Highland Council are reporting a relatively smooth implementation of the new regime in the North.
Highland Trading Standards targets Internet sellers (26/11/09)
A new survey conducted by Trading Standards Officers from The Highland Council has found two-thirds of websites failing to comply with laws designed to protect on-line buyers.
Having a safe Guy Fawkes evening (02/11/09)
Guy Fawkes’ Night will soon be upon us, Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service (HIFRS) is teaming up with its partners to give local residents tips on how to have a safe 5 November.
Free offer should ring alarm bells (02/11/09)
Highland Council Trading Standards Service is warning householders to be on their guard if they receive a phone call informing them that they have won a free house alarm.
Holidaymakers urged to shop around for the best bureaux de change rate deals (30/09/09)
Trading Standards Officers with The Highland Council are advising holidaymakers and travellers to shop around for the best deals when buying their holiday money from local bureaux de change outlets.
False claims to claim your money back (17/09/09)
The Highland Council’s Trading Standards are asking members of the public to beware following recent reported incidents about companies seeking business by saying they can ‘assist claims’ that can be made for overpaid Council Tax or other benefits. They are also prepared to state that they are working on behalf of The Highland Council when they are not.
Shoppers know their rights with The Highland Council’s Trading Standards (14/09/09)
Trading Standards officers from The Highland Council opened their stall to shoppers today, (Monday, 14th September, 09) at the Eastgate Centre, Inverness, to advise them about their rights.
Know Your Rights – National Consumer Week Campaign at Eastgate Centre, Inverness (07/09/09)
Shoppers visiting the Eastgate Centre can visit the Highland Council Trading Standards stall from 14 - 18 September and find out about their shoppers rights.
Highland consumers warned of credit card online purchasing (07/09/09)
A Skye consumer and The Highland Council’s Trading Standards Officers are warning people to be wary of online purchasing with credit cards through payment service providers.
Anti-counterfeit work wins award for The Highland Council (13/08/09)
The Highland Council has received a Certificate of Excellence for its work relating to authenticity testing of branded spirits
Trading Standards Warn of £3million Bogus Car Buyer Scam (28/05/09)
Highland Council’s Trading Standards team is participating in an Office of Fair Trading (OFT) campaign to warn consumers about bogus car buyer scams which cost UK consumers nearly £3 million every year.
Council Warns Residents To Be Alert (13/05/09)
Trading Standards officers of The Highland Council have issued a warning to the public to take great care before agreeing to any work on their house or garden by any itinerant businesses.
Doorstep sellers in Highland capital: (01/04/09)
Highland Council Trading Standards are asking members of the public to be vigilant following recent report about a double glazing doorstep selling firm operating in the Inverness area