Latest headlines

£250, 000 Scammed from Three Local Residents in One Week. Our Fraud Victim Support Officer, Malcolm Philips, is urging residents to be wary of scam calls following a total loss of over £250,000 from two Newbury and one Wokingham resident last week.

Three new pieces of legislation relating to COVID have come into force today (18th September). 1 – Test & Trace. It’s now a legal obligation that certain businesses/premises collect test & trace contact details from their customers. 2 – QR Unique Venue Code. Venues/premises must generate a unique QR code from Government website and display prominently in their premises (from 24th September). 3 – Social Distancing Management – It is now a legal responsibility that responsible persons for certain businesses (food or drink consumed on premises) must now take reasonable measures to ensure social distancing guidelines, on their premises, are strictly adhered to.

Successful Outcome Following Bonfire Nuisance Complainants. Our Community Trading Standards team recently received reports regarding a Wokingham resident who was having numerous bonfires over the period of a few weeks. These bonfires were affecting surrounding neighbour’s use of their gardens and they were unable to open their windows due to the smoke and smell.

The ‘Hands. Face. Space.’ Public information campaign, launched by the Government yesterday, urges the public to continue to wash their hands, cover their face and make space to control infection rates and avoid a second peak.

Scam Alert - HMRC Scam. We've been hearing reports of residents receiving an automated call stating that there is unpaid tax to be paid to HMRC and to either press 1 or to call a number given. On doing so the scam is then perpetuated by stating a warrant is open for their arrest for non payment of taxes. Residents are then directed to various ways of paying the outstanding amount.

Extension of tenants’ protection from eviction. The government on 7 September wrote to councils to notify them of the extension of emergency measures regarding notice periods which came into force 29 August 2020.

Wedding services: coronavirus (COVID-19), cancellations and refunds. Statement setting out the CMA’s views on how the law operates in relation to contracts for wedding services affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The growth of fake modelling scams. Young, aspiring models are being lured into parting with cash by companies which falsely promise to launch their modelling career and the chance to work with top brands. Only for the ‘modelling agency’ to then pocket the money.

Romance Scams. The Public Protection Partnership (PPP) works with Citizens Advice in communities across Bracknell Forest, West Berkshire and Wokingham Borough to raise the awareness of scams. The PPP’s Trading Standards service has the following romance scams clues to look out for

Summary of Wedding Reception Restrictions Relating to COVID. We realise how important weddings are to a couple, their families and friends. Let alone to a whole industry of suppliers whose income is reliant on such events taking place. It is natural to want as many people as possible to share in the celebrations. As some COVID restrictions are gently eased and wedding receptions are once again allowed, it might be tempting to invite too many guests to such a celebration. However, by their very nature, in bringing families and friends together, they are particularly vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19.