Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Carmarthenshire residents are being advised to be on their guard following a spate of high pressure sales calls from companies demanding up-front payment for boilers and home energy improvements. The council’s Trading Standards team is investigating a number of reports from people who claim they have been pressurised by cold callers in to paying money for goods or services they don’t actually need. Their advice is to be wary of sales people who ‘cold call’, to take time to think over any offers, and do some research before agreeing to sign up to a contract. Cllr Jim Jones, Executive Board Member for Public Protection, said: “Be wary of giving your bank or card details to anyone who has called you up or knocked on your door out of the blue offering you goods or services. “There are many reputable firms out there that do provide services to help you reduce your home energy costs, but some unscrupulous firms are exploiting people and pressuring them in to signing contracts and paying l...

Rogue traders are being warned to think twice before trying to scam householders in Carmarthenshire. Trading Standards officers in Carmarthenshire County Council have teamed up with the  Neighbourhood Policing Team at Dyfed Powys Police to get ‘One Step Ahead’ of people who cold call on households trying to sell goods or service that are not needed. In many cases, the sellers use dodgy tricks to con the householder in to buying things they don’t need, or to have repair work done that is shoddy or sometimes even illegal. They are also urging people to beware of doorstep lenders, or loan sharks – people offering to lend money - as they will more than likely end up being hounded for more money than they ever agreed to pay back for the ‘loan’. Aled Thomas, Lead Trading Standards Officer, said: “Our ‘One Step Ahead’ campaign is all about helping people have a better understanding of the tricks rogue traders use to try and con innocent people out of money. “Working together with poli...

Elderly residents are warned about latest scam involving a euromillions online lottery | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Dyfed Powys Police are warning elderly residents not to be drawn in to revealing bank details after reports of a lottery scam operating in the Cross Hands area. Officers there have been contacted by several people who have received letters from the ‘Euromillions Commonwealth of Nations Online Lottery’ advising them of surprise wins.

Cold calling and internet fraud – if in doubt, keep them out! | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Dyfed Powys Police are working in partnership with other agencies and our community safety partnerships to tackle the rising problem of cold calling and internet fraud. A police spokesman said: "We have seen an increase of more than 100% in the reported number of these types of offences throughout the force area in 2011-12, and it is estimated that approximately 40% of victims will have lost money."

Police warning to dog owners after sheep killed in dog attacks | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Dyfed-Powys Police is urging dog owners to keep their animals under proper control, if they are in rural areas, after several incidents have been reported to the police, whereby dogs have killed or worried sheep in the County of Pembrokeshire.

Carmarthenshire's public protection division is warning householders to beware of rogue traders and distraction burglars taking advantage of emergency repairs following the extreme weather. The county council can answer queries from members of the public who need to have repairs carried out to their homes. Head of public protection Philip Davies said: “We are able to offer advice to people who are unhappy about the quotes they have been given to carry out work following the snow and ice. We would advise them to use one of our Registered Traders.” He warned of the danger of distraction burglars using freezing weather to access homes. Executive board member for public protection Cllr Pam Palmer said: “We are keen to ensure that householders are not taken advantage of and the best way to organise repairs is by contacting one of our Registered Traders.” Members of the Registered Traders’ Scheme agree to abide by the scheme’s code of practice and to trade fairly. A list of current membe...