A street pedlar who sold counterfeit phone and tablet covers in York city centre has been given a 12 week prison sentence, suspended for one year, with the requirement he also undertakes 300 hours unpaid work. Mr Faye was also fined a total of £1,280 by York Magistrates today (12 April 2017).
The fake brands included Dior and Apple and were among thousands of items discovered stockpiled in the pedlar’s basement and a storage unit by City of York Council trading standards officers.
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The conviction follows an investigation by the National Trading Standards eCrime Team
A man and his company who misled disabled people into paying £49 a time for Blue Badge parking permits was sentenced to financial penalties totalling £15,457.35 yesterday (30 March 2017) at York Magistrates’ Court.
Ramiro Rohan Depass, aged 23 of Thameshill Avenue, Romford, Essex, pleaded guilty to misleading consumers by using copycat websites to sell Blue Badge parking permits, contrary to the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. He was fined £1,230, ordered to pay £5,139.98 compensation to 102 of his victims, and pay prosecution costs of £4,847.37 and a victim surcharge to the Court of £120. His company, Impetus Solutions Limited, was fined £4,000 and pay a victim surcharge of £120.
Depass’s activities came to light after over 100 complaints were made to the Citizens Advice and Action Fraud helplines over an eight-month period in 2015/16, triggering an investigation by the National Trading Standards eCrime Team.
Depass’s scheme worked by diverting those searching online for Blue Badges to apply via his own website, meaning that badges were never issued. Disabled drivers were charged £49 for these non-existent badges, which are normally bought from the local council for £10.
In April 2016 officers from the National Trading Standards eCrime Team (NTSeCT) raided a house in Romford and found documents linking Depass to the scam. He presented himself to police later that week.
Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member with responsibility for Trading Standards at City of York Council, said: “This profiteering is despicable and shows a casual disregard for the law alongside a willingness to exploit vulnerable people genuinely eligible to hold a Blue Badge. I applaud our expert investigators for unveiling and successfully prosecuting another ecrime which impersonates legitimate, at cost local authority services.”
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City of York Council Trading Standards is urging people in York to spread the word this month about scams and to expose the tactics of fraudsters to protect others.
Trading Standards launches Scams Awareness Month in July to help stop people falling prey to scams by following a three-step rule – get advice, report it, and tell others about it.
It comes just as City of York Council has had reports from residents of cold callers claiming to have been told by the council about a supposed car accident.
Scam methods such as this are known as ‘vishing’ whereby scammers cold-call people in a bid to get their bank details, and offers of fake services. Besides claiming to be from a reputable organisation, these include telling people their computer has a virus which they can fix remotely.
Investment scams carried the highest price tag, with people investing in fake diamonds or bogus stocks and shares losing of on average £20,000 each.
In fact, national research by Citizens Advice finds that scammers are using a variety of tactics to get people to part with their cash, with people losing an average of £2,500 across all types of scam.
InYork, Trading Standards has helped many people targeted by scams including residents who receive hundreds of items of unsolicited mail each month.
Trading Standards is warning people to be on guard and watch out for the different methods used by fraudsters, from doorstep selling of counterfeit goods to demands for upfront payments for services that never materialise.
Eight common scams reported to Citizens Advice are: (more…)
Volunteers have made good progress today on cleaning up flood damage at the Merchant Adventures Hall. They are hoping to have pumps on site tomorrow
River levels will continue to fall slowly but we are still expecting further rain for Wednesday so the advice remains be #floodaware.
Front line teams have worked round the clock to clear roads and as a result most of the main networks are now open. The situation is improving but there is still a lot of work to be done and all agencies continue to work hard to get the city moving and working as normally as can be expected.
The following roads are still closed:
For the latest traffic and travel information please visit: www.itravelyork.info/journey-planning/roadworks-and-road-closures
From tomorrow council staff are going door-to door to residents’ homes affected by the floods to offer help and support, including leaflets and information. A copy of the leaflet is attached/available at www.york.gov.uk/floods
The Council claims that financial support is available for residents and businesses (see below).
Around 650 homes and businesses have been directly affected by flooding in the city centre. The Council is still collating figures for outer York.
Communication channels are restored and the Council’s customer contact centre is running as normal. The number to call is 01904 551550 the email address is flood@york.gov.uk.
Archbishop Holgate School continues to be operational as a rest centre but all residents who were using the centre have been placed into emergency housing (15-20 families).
Following its work to limit the extent and effects of the floods, City of York Council is co-ordinating a raft of support for residents and businesses.
Support is available to residents and businesses that may be directly affected by the flooding and could be assessing damage to their homes and any repairs necessary.
From tomorrow council staff are going door-to door to residents’ homes affected by the floods to offer help and support, including leaflets and information. A copy of the leaflet is available at www.york.gov.uk/floods
This support includes:
Anyone whose home is directly affected by flooding and who has home and or contents insurance should seek advice and get permission from their insurers before removing any damaged items. City of York Council will help residents dispose of flood-damaged waste and anyone needing help after their loss adjusters have visited should call 01904 551550. Around 50 skips are being placed around the city in the most affected areas for residents to dispose of their waste. Find these locations at: www.york.gov.uk/floods
There are no automatic reductions in council tax or business rates for residential or business properties damaged specifically by flood water. However people whose property is no longer habitable and require major repairs should inform the council tax billing team and ask about their eligibility via 01904 551550 or email council.tax@york.gov.uk while businesses should contact the business rates team also on 01904 551550 or email business.rates@york.gov.uk .
Households are advised to seek several quotes for repair work from reputable businesses and request references,, where possible, to check on the quality of work. This will enable you to make a more informed decision.
Anyone, including Older and vulnerable residents can use the Home Services Directory a directory of tradespeople who have undergone an assessment procedure. The list is compiled by Age UK York and is available through the charity or online via www.york.gov.uk/tradingstandards
Meanwhile anyone who believes they may have been approached by a rogue trader or pressurised to buy something they don’t want should contact the Citizens Advice Bureau helpline on 03454 04 05 06.
Every year thousands of people in York lose out on extra income – and that could include those affected by the flooding and entitled to help? Up to one in three people miss out because they do not claim allowances or benefits, discounts or exemptions. City of York Council’s Benefits Advisers are here to help you check entitlements and to help with applications. Contact the team on 01904 551550.
Residents of the City of York whose homes have been flooded, who are on a low income, have little capital and who are not adequately insured, may be eligible for help from York’s Disaster Fund, a registered charity which was established after flooding in York in 2000. Applications to the charity may be made at any time. Businesses are not eligible for help from this fund. For more information about how to apply for a grant, please call City of York Council on 01904 551550.
The recovery fund is supported by Government funding for residents and businesses to pay for additional measures over and above the costs of repairs that would normally be covered by insurance.
Support is available to support small and medium sized businesses to develop and implement business recovery plans. Eligible businesses are able to claim for costs which could include immediate clean-up costs, materials, exceptional business costs (such as hire of drying equipment) and temporary accommodation to enable these businesses to continue trading. Business continuity planning and marketing costs could also be covered. More information will be available soon at www.york.gov.uk/floods
The campaign stresses that it’s important to know how to spot – and avoid – fake alcohol if drinkers suspect they’re being offered it.
Vodka is the most counterfeited spirit and can be made with chemicals most usually found in anti-freeze, screen wash or nail polish remover which could leave people blind, in a coma or even worse.
So the advice is not to take a risk on fake alcohol:
Matt Boxall, City of York Council’s Head of Public Protection, said:
“The festive season can sometimes bring stocks of fake alcoholic drinks into the supply chain. Our Trading Standards and Licensing teams work with licensed premises to uphold their responsibilities including recognising legitimate brands and taking precautions to make sure customers are sold the genuine article they’re paying for.
“Anyone with concerns should contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer helpline 0345 4040506.”
See more at: http://www.food.gov.uk/news-updates/campaigns/fake-alcohol
City of York Council is asking residents to nominate members of the authority’s workforce who they think are ‘very important people’ for a new annual awards scheme.
The authority is seeking nominations for its first ‘CYC VIP – Celebrating Your Contribution’ awards which will help highlight the dedication, diligence and enterprise of staff serving the city across a huge range of roles.
With one of the largest workforces in the city, the council’s new awards aim to celebrate the work of teams and individuals who have shown exceptional care, commitment or creativity – and made a positive difference to someone’s day or even their lives.
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City of York Council has had reports of a scam in which cold callers in the York area are selling household items, and claiming that this is part of a rehabilitation scheme run by local probation, youth offending or prison services.Residents have told the council that individuals are going door-to-door in York and the surrounding areas trying to sell dish cloths and other cleaning or household items.
They claim to have identification (ID) cards issued by the Youth Offending Team, Prison or Probation Services.
This is not the case and any IDs produced will be fakes.
Falsely claiming to work for the council is an offence, so please call Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer helpline 0345 4040506. North Yorkshire Police also recommend that people concerned about unwanted visitors should call 101, or dial 999 in an emergency.
From 17 March to 7 April, City of York Council will be embarking on its final phase of consultation on the controversial £1.6 million Newgate Market’s refurbishment, and will be “showing how research and consultation with shoppers, traders and local businesses is shaping the new layout”.
The Council claims, “Using feedback, we have identified the most popular ideas which include creating a new wider ‘street’ from one end to the other to enhance pedestrian flow and open up views into Newgate”.
“We’re also working with businesses in the Shambles on how they could maximise trading opportunities by developing dual shop fronts – one onto the street, another onto the market. Other ideas include looking at creating a weatherproof roof that lets in light, more and different designs for stalls, better signage and a new recreational public space behind the Marks and Spencer store.
Potential to create a lively food court complemented by new kiosks and Shambles businesses opening into the market is being considered for the south eastern edge of the market. Artwork on the walls and lighting installations, café seating, pop-up trading or evening events could be accommodated in this flexible space
The Jubbergate entrance and how it can draw Parliament Street shoppers into Newgate is being considered with ideas including an overhead canopy of lights which double as colourful ‘bunting’ during the day.
This final stage of public consultation will show the latest proposals, developed from workshops and general consultations in the foyer of the council’s West Offices from Monday 17to Monday 24March, in the window of 5 Silver Street, and also online from Monday 17March to Monday 7April at www.york.gov.uk/newgatemarket
Thoughts on what is liked best and what is liked least about the latest proposals will be gathered by questionnaires at the exhibitions and online.
Meanwhile questions are being asked about where the Continental market and Food Festival events will be located while Parliament Street is in temporary use for the regular market stalls.
STOP PRESS UPDATE – North Yorkshire police are warning about bogus bankers who are ringing up elderly people and trying to get their bank account details. Click here http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/11470
The York Council is warning residents to be on their guard after receiving complaints about traders ‘cold calling’ residents, claiming there are problems with these individuals’ Council Tax.
Council officers have been made aware of these new cases just as the York-based Yorkshire and the Humber Trading Standards Group Scambuster team have begun proceedings against five individuals in respect of another alleged Council Tax rebate scam. The first hearing is scheduled for Thursday 27 June 2013 at York Magistrates Court.
This latest scam involves residents being approached and being told that they are entitled to a refund because they are paying too much council tax, while in other cases residents are told that they haven’t paid enough.
Complainants who have received the phone calls say that they were given an appointment and were told that the person who would call at their home would show council identification.
Residents in the YO24 postcode appear to be targeted in particular.
The Council says, “Do not be tempted to call us using a number given to you by the person before you. It’s a well-known trick for scammers to provide a number that goes back to them. Call us on 01904 551550. Do not give any personal information to these callers, especially your banking information.
Anyone who has been contacted in relation to a problem with their council tax is urged to contact the City of York Council’s Trading Standards team via the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) consumer helpline on 08454 040506.
City of York Council has received reports from local residents saying that they have been ‘cold-called’ by people selling mattresses.
These approaches have reportedly taken the form of telephone calls to make an appointment to visit them at home, or door-to-door calls. One resident was even stopped in the street by a van driver attempting to sell one of the mattresses.
Trading Standards is advising residents to exercise caution if approached by a seller offering such items.
It is not an offence to sell goods door-to-door. But anyone with concerns about approaches that have been made to them to buy goods and who would like further advice on their rights, or who would like to report an incident, is urged to contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 08454 04 05 06.
