Thames Valley Alerts

(Updated: 9 June 2023)

The following Alerts are supplied by the Thames Valley Alert site.

Please direct any feedback to:

or register your own account at: Thames Valley Alert site

ECO Scams (9 June 2023)

Since the start of the year the National Trading Standards (NTS) Scams Team are seeing a growing trend of so called 'Green Deal' scams. With the huge rise in gas and electricity prices the criminals are preying on our worries and concerns and are claiming to be able to provide a solution to these concerns.

It starts with a phone call out of the blue from 'your local energy advisor' or something similar stating that you are entitled to a government grant for energy saving products like loft insulation or solar panels and that you could save thousands of pounds by having them installed. Once they have you hooked, they then ask for a small administration fee to process the application. All they are after is your personal and financial information so they can take money from your bank. Once they have this, you won't hear from them again and the money is gone.

If you have received one of these calls, you should report it to Action Fraud and if you have had money stolen you should contact your bank immediately.

Cold Callers Warning (12 April 2023)

Residents are being warned to be wary of cold callers or leaflets offering to do garden clearances, tree cutting and work to roofs and gutters.

Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards team is encouraging caution if anyone knocks and offers to start work immediately, particularly if they are pushy or claim that urgent repairs are required. Each year, springtime and the start of the growing season results in an increase in offers to assist with gardening.

Here are some top tips from Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards team:

• If it is out of the blue, it’s not for you! Don’t agree to work from an unsolicited, cold call.
• Be aware of ‘alarm bell’ tactics, claims such as – ‘I was working in the area and saw that your garden/roof needed urgent attention’; ‘we are working at one of your neighbours’ and we have some material left over’; ‘I can take you to the bank/cashpoint to get the money’.
• Take five to stop fraud. Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe. Trust your instincts.
• If you want some work undertaken, get a number of detailed quotes in writing, including full contact details and a detailed breakdown of exactly what work will be done.
• Be cautious about any requests for large deposits. For larger work, agree when staged payments will be paid and what work should be completed before any money is handed over. And stick to what is agreed.
• Check with friends and family for trusted recommendations and consider a trading standards’ approved trader, from the Buy With Confidence scheme.

For more advice on consumer rights, or to report a rogue trader to trading standards, contact the Citizens Advice national consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or by visiting its website: Citizens Advice

Emergency Alerts System (11 April 2023)

The UK government’s new Emergency Alerts system is now live. The system will enable people to be contacted via their mobile phone when lives are in danger.

It will be used to warn you in the event of emergencies, such as severe flooding. Emergency Alerts are sent to all compatible mobile phones within an area of risk.

They don’t track your location, need your phone number, or collect personal data. Only the government and the emergency services will be able to send them. If you don’t have a mobile phone, you’ll still be kept informed through other channels.

If you get an Emergency Alert on your phone, you’ll hear a loud, siren-like sound. A message on your screen will tell you about the emergency and how best to respond.

You can get further information and be able to check an alert is genuine at: Alerts

Current Scams (3 October 2022)

The latest scams document from Thames Valley Alert is available here: Scams Document

This document reports on various Ofgem scams doing the rounds as well as scams to do with Covid, British Gas, and Social Media.

Advice for Dog Owners (25 July 2022)

We have recently seen an increase in reports of dog attacks. We would like to remind dog owners to take reasonable steps to keep your dog under control by considering the following:

• Consider keeping your dog on a lead in public places
• Ensure your dog is comfortable off a lead and will respond to your recall
• Use a muzzle if you are concerned about your dog in public
• Keep your dog on a lead when near livestock
• See advice from the local Vet Surgery if you have any concerns

It is your responsibility to ensure that your dog is under control at all times.

Your dog must be wearing a collar with an identity tag that has the owners name and address on it - just a telephone number is not enough.

Message sent by: Victoria Allan (Police, Neighbourhood Administrator, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse)

Cold Callers (5 July 2022)

Residents are being warned to be cautious of cold callers impersonating Local Authority / Council officers in the Oxfordshire area.
All council officers should have an ID badge available and be more than happy to show it when asked.
If concerned, you can contact the council to verify the name of the council officer.

Residents should also be aware of cold callers picking up scrap metal from properties. All scrap metal collectors must have a scrap metal licence for the local district they are collecting in. Scrap metal collectors must also have a Waste Carrier's Licence (issued by the Environment Agency). Both of these licences can easily be produced when requested, so if there's any queries, do not engage with the collector.

Oxfordshire County Council
Graham Hill House, Electric Avenue, Ferry Hinksey Road, Oxford OX2 0BY
Tel: 07824 529524
Tel: 01865 895999

Message sent by: Rachel Ward (Police, Corporate Communications, Thames Valley)

Protect Your Home Against Rogue Traders (31 May 2022)

Often rogue traders persuade the homeowner to have work carried out on their property. This work is often unnecessary, may be charged at over-inflated prices, normally is very poorly done, and often the trader will charge for work that hasn’t been completed. Typically it will involve roofing, guttering, gardening or driveway repairs. The rogue trader may bully or intimidate the victim and, on occasions, will drive the victim to the bank to get money from their victim. Doorstep crime and scams are also considered a form of financial abuse. Help us prevent vulnerable people from becoming victims. Learn to spot the signs of doorstep crime and financial abuse and help protect your patients, clients, neighbours, customers, friends or family members.

For more information on how to spot rogue traders & protect your home follow the link below:

Doorstep Crime - Oxfordshire County Council

Download free posters to put up outside your home: Cold Calling Sticker

Contact Trading Standards to report any rogue traders 0808 223 1133
In an emergency contact the police on 999 or for non-emergencies 101
Alternatively contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040

Message sent by: Victoria Allan (Police, Neighbourhood Administrator, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse)