Business scam alerts
You can report scams through our partners the Citizens Advice helpline online via their website or by calling 0808 223 1133 (freephone). You can also report scams to Action Fraud, the UK national fraud office, using their online fraud reporting tool or by calling 0300 123 2040.
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- Business Companion has advice on how to spot and avoid scams targeting businesses
- The Food Standards Agency lists the latest food safety alerts here
Scam Alert - Scam contacts claiming to be from HMRC - 12 December 2024
With millions of people due to complete their Self-Assessment tax return and pay any tax owed by 31 January 2025, fraudsters are targeting people with offers of tax refunds or demanding payment of tax to get hold of personal information and banking details.
Around half of all scam reports to HMRC (71,832) in the last year were fake tax rebate claims.
There has been a 16.7% increase in all scam referrals to HMRC - 144,298 were received between November 2023 and October 2024, up from 123,596 in the previous 12-month period
If you receive communication claiming to be from HMRC that asks for personal information or is offering a tax rebate, check the phishing and scams advice on GOV.UK website
Also remember, HMRC will never leave voicemails threatening legal action or arrest or ask for personal or financial information over text message - only fraudsters and criminals will do that.
You can report suspicious communications received that you think could be a scam to us via our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on freephone 0808 223 1133
Information Alert - Avian Influenza confirmed, and controls put in place at two further premises in Norfolk - 11 December 2024
Avian influenza H5N1 has been confirmed in a commercial poultry at a premises near Dereham, Breckland, Norfolk and a second commercial poultry premises near Watton, Breckland, Norfolk.
3km Protection Zones and 10km Surveillance Zones have been put in place around the premises to limit the risk of the disease spreading.
Details of the controls in place can be found in the declaratory orders which are available on the GOV.UK website.
We continue to work with our colleagues from the Animal and Plant Health Agency to support local businesses and minimise the risk of the outbreak spreading.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public's health is very low.
The Food Standards Agency has said that on the basis of the current scientific evidence, avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.
If you need advice on housing your birds, please contact us via our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133
Information Alert - Avian Influenza confirmed, and controls put in place at a premises near Watton, Norfolk - 6 December 2024
Avian influenza H5N1 has been confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Watton, Breckland, Norfolk
A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been put in place around the premises to limit the risk of the disease spreading.
Details of the controls in place can be found in the declaratory order which is available on the GOV.UK website.
We will be working with our colleagues from the Animal and Plant Health Agency to support local businesses and minimise the risk of the outbreak spreading.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public's health is very low.
The Food Standards Agency has said that on the basis of the current scientific evidence, avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.
If you need advice on housing your birds, please contact us via our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133
Scam Alert - Fake Christmas Craft Fair Adverts - 26 September 2024
We are warning small businesses and crafters about fake Craft Fair adverts which are appearing on Facebook community groups ahead of the Christmas Fair season.
The posts advertise a fictional craft fayre, fair or similar event which claims to be held at a local hall. The organiser calls out for stall holders to sign up and pay a sum of money to them. In reality there is no event and the fraudster is hoping people will send them a stall holders' pitch fee.
Our advice is to do your homework before booking into any events and make sure the person advertising such events is a genuine organiser. Call the venue first and double-check the event before parting with any money.
Other red flags to look out for are:
- The venue not tagged into posts
- Requests people to send a private message
- Requests a 'friends and family' payment via PayPal
- No event advertised on the venue's page
If you spot an advert on social media and think it may be a scam, report it to the admin of the page that you see them on so that they can be removed straight away.
Information Alert - Bluetongue virus update - 23 September 2024
Following the identification of further bluetongue BTV-3 cases close to the edge of the Restricted Zones (RZs), the RZ has now been extended. The new RZ now covers all of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, East Sussex, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Greater London, Surrey and West Sussex.
Keepers of cattle, sheep, camelids and other ruminants must remain vigilant, report any suspicion of bluetongue immediately and follow the restrictions on animal and germinal product movements that apply. Animals must only be moved where it's absolutely necessary.
An interactive map showing the current Restricted Zone is available on the APHA website.
Information Alert - Bluetongue virus update- 2 September 2024
Further cases of Bluetongue BTV3 have been confirmed in Norfolk and Suffolk in both sheep and cattle.
Due to evidence of local transmission, the existing Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) has been revoked and a Restricted Zone has been put in place around the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk.
Keepers of cattle, sheep, camelids and other ruminants must remain vigilant and follow the restrictions on animal and germinal product movements that apply
An interactive map showing the current Restricted Zone is available on the APHA website
Information Alert - Bluetongue virus cases confirmed - 29 August 2024
Two cases of Bluetongue (BTV3) have been confirmed in Norfolk, the first at a premises near Haddiscoe, the second at a premises near Wymondham.
There has also been a been a confirmed case in Suffolk.
20km Temporary Control Zones have been put in place. Keepers of cattle, sheep, camelids and other ruminants must remain vigilant and follow the restrictions on animal and germinal product movements that now apply in the zone.
Farmers are reminded that free testing is available for animals susceptible to bluetongue. Call 0800 612 5289 or email admin@ukfarmcare.com to book.
An interactive map showing the current temporary control zones is available from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Visit the APHA Interactive Bluetongue Virus Map.
Further news, information and guidance for livestock keepers, including how to spot and report the disease is available on the GOV.UK website: Visit Bluetongue: news, information and guidance for livestock keepers on GOV.UK
Scam Alert - Online directory listing cold calls and invoices - 23 August 2024
We are warning businesses to be aware of telephone cold calls and unexpected invoices by email requesting payment to 'maintain' online directory listings.
If you receive this type of call or an invoice demanding payment for unknown services, our advice is do not give or confirm any information or make any payment unless you have agreed to the listing and to always check all demands for payments carefully.
Where agreements have been made but you feel that you have been misled over the terms of the advertising and you require further advice, please contact us via our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on freephone 0808 223 1133
Cold Calling Alert - Telephone cold caller offering advertising in 'Your Norfolk' magazine - 04 July 2024
We are warning Norfolk business about telephone cold calls which claim to be offering advertising space within 'Your Norfolk' magazine.
This follows a report from a business who initially received a cold call which was then followed up by email information.
We would like to make all businesses aware that:
- these cold calls are not connected with Norfolk County Council in any way or with the Norfolk County Council produced Your Norfolk Magazine, which is distributed twice a year free of charge to households in Norfolk
- Norfolk County Council do not sell advertising space within their Your Norfolk magazine
- Norfolk County Council have never authorised any businesses to sell advertising space within their Your Norfolk magazine on their behalf
Our advice is never agree to purchase advertising, or to receive further information if approached in this manner. We would also remind businesses to check all demands for payments carefully.
If you are approached by this cold caller or where agreements have been made but you feel that you have been misled over the terms of the advertising and you require further advice contact us through our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 113
Rogue Trader Alert - Doorstep Cold Callers offering to lay gravel - 5 June 2024
We are warning businesses to be on their guard after received reports of cold callers offering to lay gravel in the Hethersett area.
In the incident, two men who offered to lay gravel they claimed was 'left over' from 'a job nearby'.
Often, when this approach is used, the cold caller will quote an initial price for the work, but once work has commenced the price will increase dramatically
The two men were seen to be using a white Ford Transit tipper.
We always advise:
- Never deal with cold callers looking to undertake work on or around your business
- Never agree to have work done by somebody who is 'just passing' or take their word that it needs to be done at all
- Never allow a cold caller access to your property, roof or site even if they are offering to do tasks for free or a small fee
- Never pay for work before it is completed
- When looking to have work done on or around your property only deal with reputable companies you have researched and chosen yourself and have obtained a written quotation from before commencing the work.
It is possible these doorstep cold callers could move on to other areas around Norfolk and could also approach residential properties especially in rural areas.
Anyone sighting these cold callers in Norfolk or concerned about Rogue Trader activity in your community please contact us through our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or Norfolk Police via 101.
If you feel intimidated or are concerned for vulnerable neighbours call 999.
Looking for a Trader you can Trust? We know just the people. Check out the Norfolk Trusted Trader directory to see our Trading Standards approved members and read feedback from their customers
Scam Alert - Solar panel scam emails - 29 May 2024
We are highlighting a warning from Action Fraud about phishing emails relating to solar panels. This comes after they received almost 1,000 reports in the last two weeks.
The emails claim that recipients can check their eligibility for funding to cover upfront costs of installing solar panels. In reality, the link provided in the emails either lead to websites that look to gather personal and financial information or that will attempt to download malware.
Examples shared by Action Fraud include examples targeting both consumers and businesses.
You can report any suspicious email received by forwarding it to report@phishing.gov.uk
You can also report suspicious messages you suspect are a scam to us by contacting our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on freephone 0808 223 1133
Rogue Trader Alert - Cold Callers offering to lay tarmac - 20 May 2024
We are warning businesses to be on their guard after receiving reports of cold callers offering to lay tarmac.
This follows a recent incident where two males were reported to be approaching businesses in the Fakenham area offering to tarmac driveways and parking areas.
The males were seen to be using a blue Ford Tourneo.
It is possible these cold callers could repeat this approach at other businesses, especially in rural areas.
Anyone sighting these cold callers in Norfolk or concerned about Rogue Trader activity please contact us through our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or Norfolk Constabulary via 101. If you feel threatened by a cold caller call 999 immediately
Looking for a Trader you can Trust? Try a Norfolk Trusted Trader. To search our directory and read feedback from their customers visit the Norfolk Trusted Trader website.
News Alert - Food Alert for products manufactured and supplied by Bread Spread Ltd - 16 May 2024
We are highlighting a 'For Action' food alert from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for consumers and businesses.
Products manufactured and supplied by Bread Spread should be removed from sale and not consumed because of serious food safety risks.
Environmental Health and Trading Standards Services have been alerted to remove chilled and ready-to-eat products that include baguettes, french sticks, sandwiches, rolls, wraps and pasta salads manufactured and supplied by Bread Spread Ltd, 22 Balfour Business Centre, Balfour Road, Southall, England, UB2 5BD, under the brand name, Bread Spread, Orbital Foods and Perfect Bite because they have not been manufactured in accordance with food law requirements.
Listeria monocytogenes has been found in some of the products. These products are also subject to a number of hygiene and traceability contraventions which makes them unsafe to eat.
All food businesses such as catering establishments and corner shops, across the UK supplied by Bread Spread Ltd should withdraw from sale any chilled and ready-to-eat foods and recall from consumers any of these products sold at retail because they are unsafe to eat. Products should be disposed of safely.
All chilled and ready-to eat foods with a use-by date up to and including 20 May 2024 manufactured or supplied by Bread Spead Ltd are affected.
The FSA have the current list of affected products available on their website.
Scam Alert - Fake Craft Fair Adverts - 9 May 2024
We are warning small businesses and crafters about fake Craft Fair adverts which are appearing on Facebook community groups.
The posts advertise a fictional craft fayre, fair or similar event which claims to be held at a local hall. The organiser calls out for stall holders to sign up and pay a sum of money to them. In reality there is no event, and the fraudster is hoping people will send them a stall holders pitch fee.
Our advice is to do your homework before booking into any events and make sure the person advertising such events is a genuine organiser. Call the venue first and double check the event before parting with any money.
Other red flags to look out for are:
- The venue not tagged into posts
- Requests people to send a private message
- Requests a 'friends and family' payment via PayPal
- No event advertised on the venue's page
If you spot an advert on social media and think it may be a scam, please report it to the admin of the page that you see them on so that they can be removed straight away
Scam Alert - Invoice Scams and Mandate Fraud - 25 April 2024
We are warning businesses in Norfolk to continue to be aware of the threat that Invoice Scams and Mandate Fraud pose.
Fake invoice scams typically work by fraudsters pretending to be a supplier and contacting the business to say that the account details that an invoice needs to be paid to have changed. Innocently, an employee amends the account details only for the organisation to later find out that they have been sending money to a fraudster rather than a genuine supplier. The more detail a fraudster has about an organisation, the easier it is to pose as a supplier and make the scam convincing.
Although the scam could work on businesses of any size, smaller businesses are most at risk and may find it harder to recover from losing large amounts of money.
Mandate fraud is when fraudsters try to get a business to change a direct debit, standing order or bank transfer mandate, by purporting to be an organisation you make regular payments to, for example a subscription or membership organisation or a supplier to your business.
Action Fraud offer the following advice for businesses to protect themselves from these types of fraud:
- Ensure all staff, not just finance teams, know about Invoice Scams and Mandate Fraud
- Never respond to the contact details provided by someone requesting changes to financial details. Instead, use established email and telephone contacts to check that any request has come from the genuine supplier or organisation
- Always review invoices to check for inconsistencies/errors, such as a misspelt company name
- Where possible establish at least two specific points of contact with suppliers so that all invoice changes can be confirmed with both contacts
- Contact suppliers for payment of larger invoices in advance of making payment to ensure that payment is made to the correct bank account
- Consider what information is publicly available about your business and whether it needs to be public
- Never leave invoices unattended in the office or on a desk
- Ensure your computer systems are secure and that antivirus software is up to date.
Any attempts at Invoice Scams or Mandate Fraud can be reported to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
Rogue Trader Alert - Cold Callers offering to lay tarmac - 15 April 2024
We are warning businesses to be on their guard after receiving reports of cold callers offering to lay tarmac.
This follows a recent incident where three males approached a Norfolk business saying they 'needed to get rid of some tarmac' and offering to lay it 'for free'. Following this the business has received repeated calls requesting payment for the work.
The males were seen to be using a white cabbed Isuzu tipper truck.
It is possible these cold callers could repeat this approach at other businesses, especially in rural areas.
Anyone sighting these cold callers in Norfolk or concerned about Rogue Trader activity please contact us through our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or Norfolk Constabulary via 101. If you feel threatened by a cold caller call 999 immediately.
Looking for a Trader you can Trust? Try a Norfolk Trusted Trader. To search our directory and read feedback from their customers visit the Norfolk Trusted Trader website.
Information Alert - Bluetongue virus update - 19 February 2024
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have announced that the bluetongue temporary control zones (TCZs) in Norfolk, Suffolk and Kent have been lifted on Monday 19 February 2024.
Find further information including how to spot and report the disease via the GOV.UK website.
Scam Alert - Telephone cold callers offering advertising including 'online listings' - 08 February 2024
We are warning businesses about telephone cold callers claiming to be offering advertising including 'online listings'.
This approach is a typical scam targeted at businesses and often following the call, a demand from payment for the proposed advertising will arrive even if no agreement has been made during the call.
We always advise to be wary of telephone cold calls and the claims made during them. Businesses can take the following steps to protect themselves against scam calls:
- Ensure that all employees dealing with telephone contacts are aware of this type of cold calling scam
- Always check the person or organisation calling is genuine. If you receive a suspicious call do not give or confirm any personal or financial details. If the caller is claiming to be from a known organisation you should ask to call them back, hang up, wait five minutes, and then contact them using a known contact number or the details displayed on their official website
- Be on your guard for payment requests that are unexpected or irregular, whatever the amount involved
- If in any doubt, do not make the payment, however urgent it may seem or whatever the suggested outcome (or outcomes)
You can report suspicious communication, which could be a scam, received by your business to us via our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.
Information Alert - Bluetongue virus update - 02 February 2024
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have provided updated guidance to livestock keepers in the bluetongue virus temporary control zones (TCZ) in Norfolk
Rogue Trader Alert - Cold Callers offering to fill potholes - 01 February 2024
We are warning businesses to be on their guard after receiving reports of cold callers offering to repair potholes in car parks.
This follows two incidents reported to our colleagues at Suffolk Trading Standards. In both incidents businesses were approached by individuals who claimed to be able to fill potholes in the businesses' car park.
Following this the businesses then discovered the cold callers had commenced work and were retarmacking the entire car park. At this point the cold callers have demanded cash payments of up to £10,000 for their 'work' with the cold callers becoming aggressive and threatening to 'dig up the car park' if payment is not made.
It is possible these cold callers could use the same approach in Norfolk, especially in rural areas.
Anyone sighting these cold callers in Norfolk or concerned about Rogue Trader activity please contact us through our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or Norfolk Constabulary via 101. If you feel threatened by a cold caller call 999 immediately
Looking for a Trader you can Trust? Try a Norfolk Trusted Trader. To search our directory and read feedback from their customers visit the Norfolk Trusted Trader website.
Information Alert - Websites offering CSCS Cards - 29 January 2024
We are warning construction workers in Norfolk to be aware of websites claiming to be offering Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards but charging higher fees than the official application service
Complaints have been received from those who have used third party companies to apply for their CSCS cards. These companies are unaffiliated to CSCS and simply use the official CSCS application service on their client's behalf, while charging an admin fee.
While many third-party sites provide the services advertised and are entirely legal, some charge significantly more than the official application fee.
There is only one official service which is via the CSCS website. A CSCS card costs £36 and in most cases, applications will be processed, and cards issued within 48 hours.
If a website is attempting to charge more than £36 for a CSCS card or £22.50 for the separate CITB Health, safety and environment test you may want to visit the official CSCS site instead.
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