Author: admin

Trading Standards Scams Awareness Campaign – Doorstep Selling & Cold Calling

~ admin

Scams can start with an unsolicited cold call door knock, often from people trying to sell their services or products. One of the most common in Croydon is rogue traders trying to push consumers into having expensive home improvements carried out that are either not necessary or where some work may be required but they then grossly overcharge and carry out sub-standard work.

We would encourage you NEVER to engage with a cold caller and NEVER to sign up for any work or services from your home without taking time to seriously think about what you actually need and to research the trader in question.

ALWAYS get several quotes in writing before having any work done, ensure you have time to think about the quote and ensure the companies or traders are legitimate by finding traders using Approved Trader Schemes such as:

 

Trust Mark www.trustmark.org.uk/find-a-tradesman
0333 555 1234

 

 

Buy With Confidence www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk  01392 383 430

 

 

 

Which? Trusted Traders https://trustedtraders.which.co.uk/  0117 405 4689

 

 

For further information please see the Croydon Trading Standards link below:
https://www.croydon.gov.uk/advice/tstandards/busadvice/taschemes

Read more information on the Citizens Advice website about consumer’s rights if you think you have been mis-sold items on the doorstep or have been pressured into signing a contract:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/changed-your-mind/if-you-were-misled-or-pressured-into-buying-something-you-didnt-want/

Please remember to report to Action Fraud 0300 123 2040 https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime if you have actually been the victim of a scam or fraud.

Call Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline 0808 223 1133 or visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ to report a scam or if you require further advice in regards to scams or consumer matters.

Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) Expansion Consultation

~ admin

Transport for London are consulting on proposals to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) London-wide on 29 August 2023. We want to hear your views on our proposals. These proposals are part of the commitment by the Mayor of London and TfL to help improve air quality and public health, tackle the climate emergency and reduce traffic congestion across Greater London.

See the consultation brochure for more details.

These are our proposals for the London-wide expansion of the ULEZ from 29 August 2023. The new boundary would cover almost all (96 per cent) of Greater London, up to the existing Low Emission Zone (LEZ) boundary.

Details of the proposals:

  • It would cost £12.50 per day to drive anywhere within the London-wide ULEZ area for drivers of non-compliant vehicles. Check whether your vehicle is already ULEZ standards compliant using the ULEZ vehicle checker.
  • It would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 364 days a year, excluding Christmas Day.
  • We would remove the £10 annual per vehicle registration fee for Auto Pay for the ULEZ, LEZ and Congestion Charge from 30 January 2023. It would then be free to register for Auto Pay. You would still have to pay the ULEZ charge if your vehicle is not compliant. (Auto Pay is a mechanism for automatic payment of the ULEZ, LEZ or Congestion Charge that ensures that drivers will not receive a Penalty Charge Notice)
  • The penalty for non-payment for ULEZ and Congestion Charge would increase from £160 to £180 from 30 January 2023. If paid within 14 days, the amount would reduce by half.

HAVE YOUR SAY
Transport for London would like your views on the proposals to expand the ULEZ London-wide from 29 August 2023, removal of the annual Auto Pay vehicle registration fee, increases in the penalty charge notice levels for non-payment of the daily ULEZ charge and the Congestion Charge, changes to the Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS) and your thoughts on how we shape the future of road user charging.

TfL would also welcome your views on minor operational changes we propose making to the Congestion Charge and ULEZ schemes.

You can do this by completing the online survey. You will need to register with our Have your say platform to take part in the online survey. Your details will be kept secure . The consultation will close on 29 July 2022 at 23:59.

If you prefer not to complete the survey, then please submit your response to us in writing to cleanairyourview@tfl.gov.uk or FREEPOST TFL HAVE YOUR SAY (no stamp required). You can also phone this number 0343 222 1155 to leave your feedback or ask a question about our proposals.

Look out for Pension Scams

~ admin

Scammers usually contact people out of the blue via phone, email or text, or even advertise online. Or they may be introduced to you by a friend or family member who is also unknowingly being scammed.

Scam offers often include:

  • free pension reviews
  • higher returns
  • help to release cash from your pension even though you’re under 55 (an offer to release funds before age 55 is highly likely to be a scam)
  • high-pressure sales tactics – the scammers may try to pressure you with ‘time-limited offers’
  • unusual investments – which tend to be unregulated and high risk
  • complicated structures where it isn’t clear where your money will end up
    arrangements where there are several parties involved
  • long-term pension investments

4 simple steps to protect yourself from pension scams:

Step 1 – Reject unexpected offers
If you’re contacted out of the blue about a pension opportunity, chances are it’s high risk or a scam.

Step 2 – Check who you’re dealing with
Check the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Register to make sure that anyone offering you advice or other financial services is FCA authorised.

Check to see if they are registered with Companies House and for the names of the directors.

Check the FCA Warning List – to check the risks of a potential pension or investment opportunity.

Step 3 – Don’t be rushed or pressured
Take your time to make all the checks you need – even if this means turning down an ‘amazing deal’.

Step 4 – Get impartial information or advice
You should seriously consider seeking financial guidance or advice before changing your pension arrangements.

The Pensions Advisory Service provides free independent and impartial information and guidance.

You can also use a financial adviser to help you make the best decision for your own personal circumstances.

If you suspect a scam, report it
Report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or by using our online reporting tool.

Report to the FCA – you can report an unauthorised firm or scam to the FCA by contacting their Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768 or using the Action Fraud reporting form at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/guide-to-reporting

If you’ve agreed to transfer your pension and now suspect a scam, contact your pension provider straight away. They may be able to stop a transfer that hasn’t taken place yet. If you are unsure of what to do contact the Pensions Advisory Service for help.

 

Trinity School Triathlon – 26 June 2022

~ admin

On Sunday June 26th 2022, Trinity School is, organising its tenth youth triathlon.

.One of the main objectives behind the London 2012 Olympics was youth involvement in sport, and so the Trinity Triathlon was created as a legacy event to help stimulate the future involvement of young people in sport, in Croydon and beyond.

How might it affect you?
Triathlons have three phases: swimming, cycling and running. The swim and run phases will take place on site at Trinity School and the cycle phase will be on the Addiscombe Road. To comply with British Triathlon Federation rules, the road will be closed from the Shirley Road roundabout to just before Sandilands and Ashburton Roads, both of which will remain open. All buses will be diverted via the Lower Addiscombe Road.

The closure will be from the junction with the Shirley Road, westward to just before Sandilands and Ashburton Road. The agreed closure will be in effect from 6.00am until 11.00am on Sunday, at which point Transport for London and Croydon Council have instructed that normal traffic flow must resume. The first cyclist will be on the road at 7.15am, and the last at about 10.25am, at which time the process of re-opening will take place.

If you live on the closed section of the Addiscombe Rd or Whitethorn Gardens, during the closure access will only be possible in an emergency or under special circumstances. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

If you live in the side roads adjacent to the Addiscombe Road:
There will be no restrictions on traffic movement; you will not be able to use the Addiscombe Road from Upfield Road or Mapledale Avenue to the south and Green Court Gardens, Birch Tree Way, Fryston Avenue, Cheyne Walk or Northampton Road to the north. By taking other connecting roads you will be able to get westwards towards Croydon or eastwards toward West Wickham and Beckenham.

Can I watch the race?
We hope this will be an event which the whole community can enjoy, and local residents are encouraged to come and watch the cycling and cheer the athletes on; you may even spot some future Olympic stars! Your support will be appreciated by all who are involved.

I hope that any disruption or inconvenience to you is minimal and that the positive aims of the day help make this worthwhile.

If you have any further queries, please email mdr@trinity.croydon.sch.uk