Southend-on-Sea Trading Standards

Southend-on-Sea Trading Standards For all consumer and complaints, enquiries and advice, please call the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.

🚨 £51M was stolen from pensioners through fraud by Abuse of Position.We are encouraging organisations and members of the...
08/09/2026

🚨 £51M was stolen from pensioners through fraud by Abuse of Position.
We are encouraging organisations and members of the public to share the following guidance with patients, service users, and their family members:

• Review financial statements: check financial statements regularly for any unauthorised transactions. If anything appears suspicious, contact the bank as soon as possible.
• Watch for warning signs: be alert to unpaid bills, missing possessions, or unexpected changes to a will or bank account, as these may be indicators of financial abuse.
What to do if you are a victim of fraud by abuse of position:
• Tell your bank or card provider: if you notice any financial transactions made without lawful authority, notify your bank or card provider as soon as possible.
• Act quickly if something feels wrong: you can raise a safeguarding concern with your local authority’s adult social care team. If a solicitor or deputy may be misusing their role, you can report your concerns to the Office of the Public Guardian.

How to report it:
🚨 Report it to Report Fraud online or call 0300 123 2040.

Do you know how to display your food hygiene rating online?You can add your rating on social media • as part of your cov...
08/09/2026

Do you know how to display your food hygiene rating online?

You can add your rating on social media
• as part of your cover/header photo,
• as a pinned post,
• as a featured photo,
• in a Facebook marketplace listing.

So long as it’s prominent when customers visit your page, and they can see your commitment to food safety, then you’re on to a winner!
And it’s the same principle for your website, try and feature it prominently there too!

You can transform the way your business is perceived online with just a few clicks of your mouse, but this handy guide in the comments can explain more ⤵️

You have the right to be impolite when it comes to fraud. If someone asks for your money or personal information, take y...
08/09/2026

You have the right to be impolite when it comes to fraud. If someone asks for your money or personal information, take your time to check it's real.
It's okay to hang up, shut the door, close the email or simply say “No". Any genuine person or organisation won't mind.

Find out more: https://www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/impolite

⚠️ Report Fraud received 420,681 cyber crime and fraud reports in one year.ℹ️ Read their first national assessment of th...
07/09/2026

⚠️ Report Fraud received 420,681 cyber crime and fraud reports in one year.

ℹ️ Read their first national assessment of the evolving cyber crime and fraud threats affecting England, Wales and Northern Ireland: https://orlo.uk/aFcxp

One of the most significant emerging threats identified in the assessment is the growing use of AI by criminals to support existing fraud types and create a false sense of trust and legitimacy.

Product Recall for Primark Disney 101 Dalmatians Zip Purse. The product presents a serious chemical risk because it cont...
07/09/2026

Product Recall for Primark Disney 101 Dalmatians Zip Purse. The product presents a serious chemical risk because it contains phthalates above permitted levels. Phthalates may harm the health of children, possibly causing damage to the reproductive system.

Product Code 991174725
Kimball Number 2595301
Sales Period March 2026 – June 2026

Owners should stop using the product immediately and keep it away from children. Please return the product to any Primark store for a full refund. It is not necessary to show proof of purchase.

Sainsbury's is recalling Inspired to Cook by Sainsbury's Pitted Black Olives because Listeria monocytogenes has been fou...
07/09/2026

Sainsbury's is recalling Inspired to Cook by Sainsbury's Pitted Black Olives because Listeria monocytogenes has been found in the product.

Pack size: 120g
Use by: 06 September 2026, 07 September 2026, 10 September 2026.

If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead, return it to your nearest Sainsbury's store from where you will be given a full refund.

Imagine being sick for a Freshers’ week event because you decided to chance it with that Meal Deal sandwich that was pas...
07/09/2026

Imagine being sick for a Freshers’ week event because you decided to chance it with that Meal Deal sandwich that was past its use-by date.

You can’t see, smell or taste the bacteria that causes food poisoning so don’t chance it.

Think ahead by only buying what you need and freezing food before their use-by date. If you've forgotten about a product that is past its use-by date, be safe and bin the bacteria.

https://www.food.gov.uk/breakup-with-bacteria

Product Recall for Lorelli Silicone Rattle Teether. The product presents a risk of choking because the ball within the t...
04/09/2026

Product Recall for Lorelli Silicone Rattle Teether. The product presents a risk of choking because the ball within the teether can detach during use, creating small parts which fit entirely within a small parts cylinder. These small parts pose a choking risk to young children, particularly those under 36 months of age who have a natural tendency to explore objects by placing them in the mouth.

Model: po_042166
Barcode: 3800166113395
Product Description: Silicone teether containing a ball, supplied in multiple colours.

The product has been recalled from end users by Lorelli.

Owners are advised to stop using the product immediately, and keep it out of the reach of children. Contact the distributor you purchased from to request redress.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making scams harder to spot than ever. Criminals can clone a loved one's voice, create f...
04/09/2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making scams harder to spot than ever. Criminals can clone a loved one's voice, create fake celebrity investment videos, build convincing online identities for romance fraud, generate fake intimate images for sextortion, and send realistic scam emails and texts.

đź’­ Remember: a familiar voice, a famous face, a video call or a professional-looking message is no longer proof that something is genuine. Always verify independently, never rush into sending money, and be cautious when sharing personal information online.

Want to learn more about how AI is changing the scam landscape and how to protect yourself? Read more vis the link in the comments 👇

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that causes food poisoning. Foods like eggs, raw meat, undercooked chicken and unpasteu...
04/09/2026

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that causes food poisoning. Foods like eggs, raw meat, undercooked chicken and unpasteurised milk can contain Salmonella.

Anybody can develop symptoms of Salmonella illness, but some people are more at risk of becoming severely unwell.

Who is more vulnerable?

- Pregnant women
- Young children
- Older people
- People with underlying health conditions (e.g. cancer, diabetes, liver or kidney disease)

Most eggs sold in UK supermarkets carry the British Lion mark, meaning they’re produced to standards that make them safe to eat even if the yolk is still runny or the egg isn’t fully cooked, including for vulnerable groups.

If you’re preparing eggs at home, check for the British Lion mark. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly after handling eggs or egg packaging.

When eating out, if you're more vulnerable to Salmonella illness, make sure any eggs you eat are fully cooked, as they may not be British Lion mark or Laid in Britain assured.

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