Keep Kent Safe - Latest Alerts

This week we held a talk on doorstep crime and how to safeguard yourself against scams to the Westgate-on-Sea community. In our social media messaging we highlighted a number of scams targeting you and BBC News spoke to Trading Standards Oliver Jewell about the rise in underage and illegal vaping.

Kent Trading Standards Officers issue alert over illegal vapes amid rise in underage vaping

At the port of Dover, 13,000 devices with nine times the legal amount of nicotine liquid were seized in a week.

UK law limits the amount of liquid nicotine in a vape to 2ml, which the industry markets as "600 puffs".

Some illegal products can offer up to "10,000 puffs", with 10 times the legal limit of liquid.

More reports of Kent residents targeted by scam job adverts. Scammers try to steal your identity by asking you to give them copies of passport, driving licence or bank account details.

Personal information is extremely valuable to criminals. They use your details to impersonate you and apply for products and services such as bank accounts, loans, and credit cards. They may also target you asking for upfront fees.

Spot the signs:
Unrealistic salary
Job offer without interview
Poor written advert
Being asked for money or personal details

Parcel Delivery

There have again been reports of parcel delivery scams. Many will be familiar with these but not everyone is.

With this scam you get a message, sometimes a text but there have been previous instances of it being a card in your letter box. The message states that they were unable to deliver a parcel to you and to rearrange delivery they need your card details.

This may be an attempt to steal your personal data, steal money by way of a delivery fee or to get you to download a malware or virus.

Be cautious about clicking on links in a text or email.

Always carry out your research.
Check delivery notifications very carefully.
Text messages may look very similar to genuine texts but may use generic greetings, such as Dear Sir/Madam, or include spelling errors.
Always question claims that you are due goods or services that you haven't ordered or are unaware of, especially if you must pay any fees upfront.

Automated Call Scam

Kent resident targeted with 'Suspicious activity on your Visa Card' automated phone call.

With this scam, customers will receive an automated call claiming that a suspicious transaction has occurred on their card or account. It has been put on hold until verified. The customer is then prompted to press a number on their phone to be taken through to a supposed agent, who is actually a fraudster.

Your bank or the police will never contact you asking for your online banking password or for you to transfer money to a new account.

ASDA Recalls Baby Shark, Sing & Swim Bath Toy

Children using the toy particularly in a bath or paddling pool may slip and fall onto the hard plastic top fin of the Baby Shark and may suffer scratches, laceration, or puncture injuries.

Affected barcode: 19305200533

The Baby Shark Sing and Swim Bath Toy (with a plastic top fin) was sold from May 2019 until March 2023. The bath toys come in yellow, blue and pink. They were sold separately.

What you should do, if you have bought this product stop using the product. Package up the item and return to your local ASDA store for a full refund. You do not need your receipt.

All the information is on the Asda website.

Six new product recalls for electrical products on Amazon Marketplace

The Office for Product Safety and Standards have published a variety of new product recalls from hair crimpers, straighteners and hairdryers to Musical pedal power suppliers and AC adaptors.

Please take a few minutes to look over the latest list and make sure you or friends and family do not own these products.