Surrey County Council has been officially accredited as a “Friends Against Scams” (FAS) organisation. FAS is an initiative run by the National Trading Standards (NTS) Scams Team that aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering people to ‘Take a Stand Against Scams’. The accreditation follows on from some impressive … Continue reading
Three fraudsters have been sentenced following a detailed Trading Standards investigation. On Friday 6 January 2023 at Winchester Crown Court, three individuals were convicted on charges relating to the provision of roof maintenance and general maintenance to which false representations were made regarding both the necessity and value of the work. Three victims were identified … Continue reading
Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards officers are returning thousands of pounds to residents who have been defrauded by an international lottery scam. In a landmark investigation, the National Trading Standards Team hosted by Surrey County Council, working with the United States Federal Trade Commission, identified US-based fraudsters who targeted UK households with scam mail offering … Continue reading
A fraudster has received an immediate 32-month custodial sentence after being found guilty of 14 charges following a Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards investigation. On Friday 4 November 2022 at the Crown Court in Guildford, Stewart Munnery (aged 46, Tadworth, Surrey) was charged with the following: Mr Munnery received individual sentences for all the charges … Continue reading
Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards have donated over 3,500 items to two foodbanks as part of their celebrations for reaching 150 Primary Authority Partnerships. The foodbanks in question are in Aylesbury and Epsom & Ewell, with the items donated including food, household cleaning supplies, personal care items and cash. Alongside their business partners, Buckinghamshire and … Continue reading
The final defendant in a case dating back to 2018 has been sentenced for their role as an accomplice in carrying out fraudulent roofing works. Sukhdeep Singh (43, Buckinghamshire), works as a roofer and has a company called Roof Masters West London Ltd, and would also often work as a subcontractor for others. In this … Continue reading
It took under a minute for a monsters Halloween t-shirt to be engulfed in flames during a fire safety screen test by Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards. The screen test included a variety of garments and accessories such as witch hats, capes, skeleton tights and pumpkin tops. Three … Continue reading
A fraudster and his accomplice have both received prison sentences after being found guilty of scamming residents as unqualified roofers, following a Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards investigation. James Smith (28, Cranleigh, Surrey) and Timothy Draper Smith (52, Staines) were trading as James Gutters and Roofing Ltd between August 2017 and February 2019. Over this … Continue reading
Several Surrey schools have been scammed by subscription traps locking them into costly repeat payments after appearing ‘free’. Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards are warning residents, business and other organisations not to fall victim to online subscription traps after the schools lost out on over several hundred pounds each. Subscription traps take place when you … Continue reading
Doorstep scams increase during the winter periods, with over a third of all reported incidents occurring during the months of January to March. This is due to bogus callers and rogue traders taking advantage of our need for a safe, warm and dry home during the bad weather. When rain, sleet or snow sets in … Continue reading
A fraudster who made £11,562 after scamming vulnerable Surrey residents as an unqualified locksmith has been sentenced to 18 months in prison. Shaun Phasey (49) of Staines was trading as SP Locks and 24/7 Emergency Locksmith Services over a nine-month period. He quoted and subsequently completed work for five residents who paid via a chip … Continue reading
Fraudsters have been buying fake NHS and care provider lanyards so they can attempt to enter the homes of vulnerable people, Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards has warned. Officers have advised residents to never let anyone they’re not expecting or don’t recognise into their home – check first with the caller’s employer either by ringing … Continue reading
Trading Standards officers have joined forces with local businesses to transform a garden at a respite care home for children with disabilities. Earlier this year, Squire’s Garden Centres became the 100th firm to join Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards Primary Authority scheme. To celebrate, the two organisations joined together to transform the bland outside space … Continue reading
A boss who defrauded elderly people to fund a lavish lifestyle has been jailed for three years, after a prosecution by trading standards. Adam Craig Roberts, 34, from Bournemouth pleaded guilty to fraudulently misleading often elderly people across the south of England to encourage them to buy home insulation. He was sentenced at Guildford Crown … Continue reading
Surrey and Buckinghamshire’s trading standards service has celebrated forging partnerships with 100 businesses to help them thrive. The service welcomed Squire’s Garden Centres as the 100th firm to join its scheme to cut red tape for businesses, supporting them to grow and provide excellent service to customers. To mark the milestone, trading standards officers teamed … Continue reading