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Government funds new Liverpool based Scambusters team
ROGUE traders
and other con merchants in the North West are set to be thwarted by
a new team of "Scambusters" backed by £825,000 of Government
funding. The specialist Trading Standards team will be based
in Liverpool and will help local authorities and the Police to
crackdown on rogue traders, dodgy door-step salespeople,
counterfeiters, prize draw scams, cowboy builders and many other
scams.
Consumer Affairs Minister Gareth Thomas said:- "Rogue traders
who con honest people out of their hard earned money are a disgrace.
This new unit will help to shut these conmen down and bring them to
justice. It will concentrate on the most serious scams that cause
consumers in the North West the biggest problems, but are often
beyond the capacity of local councils to deal with."
Liverpool city council's executive member for trading standards,
Councillor Berni Turner, said:- "I'm delighted the Scambusters
team is going to be based in Liverpool.
Liverpool's trading
standards department is extremely successful in cracking down on
rogue traders and dealing with serious issues such as loan sharks.
This new team
will mean we can work in partnership with other authorities in the
North West and together we can effectively target those con-artists
who trade illegally across the region and make people's lives a
misery."
Consumers who feel that they have been ripped off by cold calling
traders or who wish to report scams or suspicious activity can
report the matter to Trading Standards via the national Consumer
Direct helpline on 08454 04 05 06. |
Millions take a risk with out- of-date wills
RESEARCH
conducted by GFK on behalf of the Law Society shows that thousands
of people risk leaving loved ones with nothing after their death
because they do not know the contents of their own will, warns the
Law Society. Changing circumstances are not always reflected
in a person’s will, meaning that parts of the deceased’s estate will
not be passed onto family and friends, says the Law Society.
Andrew Holroyd says:- “Many people in that age bracket are
likely to have bought a home in the last few years. That is a large
asset that should be accounted for in the will, the research,
however, would suggest this is not being done.”
The research also revealed that 22% of respondents over 65 did not
know if they had an up to date will, while worryingly 42% of those
widowed, divorced or separated did not know if they had an in-date
will.
The Law Society points out that a number of circumstances could
require a change being made to an existing will, including:-
· Divorce or separation
· Selling of an asset, such as property
· Purchasing a large asset, such as a second home
· Having children
· Debt
· Starting a business
Andrew Holroyd says:- “When circumstances change, you should
contact your solicitor to see if you need to review your will.
When
someone is in the process of a major life changing event, such as
moving into a new home, or getting married, often the last thing on
their mind is their will.
However, it should be a high priority. Do
not let it gather dust.” |
