Trading Standards

Trading Standards help to protect the public and honest businesses from rogue traders and illegal practices. We are concerned with the law and regulation that govern goods and services which are bought, hired or sold and we have experienced professionals with specialist knowledge in consumer issues.

Scamnesty: 1 – 26 February 2010

Coventry Trading Standards is taking part in the Office of Fair Trading 'Scamnesty' Campaign during Scams Awareness Month February 2010.

'Scamnesty' is an opportunity for Coventry residents and businesses to take positive action against scam mailings; by sending the mailings they receive to us via our Freepost address:
'Scamnesty' – Trading Standards, Freepost (CV681) Coventry CV1 1BR. More information on scams can be found below and in our press release.

Travel Advice and Swine Flu – How Travel Plans May Be Affected: Foreign Office Advice and advice from ABTA.

Watch out! Beware of the Scammers
In Coventry the number of rogue traders and illegal trading activities that are being brought to our attention is on the rise and Trading Standards are advising residents to be aware of scam artists operating in the local area. Coventry's Trading Standards team has compiled a list of the most complained about 'SCAMS'

These include:

Door-to-door ‘rogue builders’ and home improvement traders
High pressure sales to vulnerable consumers
Bogus charity and clothing collections
Lottery mailings
Prize draws, sweepstakes
Home-working and other ‘get rich quick’ schemes
Bogus psychic predictions

About half the adult population is likely to have been targeted by a scam and the Office of Fair Trading state UK consumers lose an estimated £3.5 billion per year to a variety of scams which exploit low-cost, mass-marketing techniques to target recipients. This equates to about £70 for each adult living in the UK.

Many of these scams originate from overseas, making detection and prosecution more difficult.

Click here for information on how to recognise a scam.

You can also help stop the person you care for from being scammed? – Download a guide for carers and care professionals (PDF).

You can help to stop scammers by telling your friends and family and by making us aware of any scams that you have encountered by sending your Scam letters to 'Scamnesty' – Trading Standards, Freepost (CV681) Coventry CV1 1BR or submitting an online scam report to Consumer Direct. (opens in a new page).

Your actions may help protect others from being targeted by scammers.

Alternatively anyone who receives a letter or email that they believe is a scam can report it to Trading Standards via their partners, Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Visit the Think Jessica website to read one victim's true story.

Over 50 and worried about rogue traders?

Over 50 and worried about rogue traders?
Want peace of mind? If repairs are needed around your home call Age Concern Coventry - First Check Point - a unique service aimed at anyone aged over 50 and living in Coventry.
Telephone: 024 7643 3982, Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 4.30pm.
E-mail: firstcheckpoint@accov.org.uk
Website: www.ageconcerncoventry.org.uk
An adviser will put you in touch with a selection of local trades people who have been vetted to ensure you receive a quality, value for money service.

Credit crunch

What to do when a company has gone into administration? See Consumer Direct Advice

Latest Trading Standards Business Newsletter

Latest Trading Standards Business Newsletter - Click on the link to read the recent issue of our newsletter for business in the Midlands. Other issues of Trading Standards News and Articles are also available along with a short questionnaire which you can fill in to let us know what you think of the newsletter.

Savaged by loan sharks?

Report a loan shark in confidence 0300 555 2222 (local call rate, including inclusive mobile minutes).

For more information see the Stop Loan Sharks website.

Animal health

Latest Information: Bluetongue Protection Zone details can be found on the DEFRA website.

Contact details

If you would like to know more about the work of Trading Standards or you have a complaint about faulty or misdescribed goods or services, you can contact our partners, Consumer Direct:

Telephone: 08454 04 05 06
Minicom: 08451 28 13 84
Alternatively, you can complete an enquiry form via E-mail to Consumer Direct (opens in a new window).
For advice for Coventry businesses on Trading Standards legislation, our Business Advice number is 0845 330 3313.
If you do not live within the City of Coventry you can find your local service at Trading Standards Central.

Downloadable documents

About PDFs and Accessibility

Lottery Scams Campaign 30 November 2009 (61 kb)