1. SELECT COMMITTEE PRESENTATION ON SCAMS Trading Standards Service Regulatory Services Regeneration & Resources Directorate

2. Mass Marketing Scams Doorstep Crime / Rogue Traders Intellectual Property (Counterfeiting) GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES FOR THE TRADING STANDARDS SERVICE INCLUDE

3. COUNCIL PRIORITY THEMES Making Community Safer & Stronger AND Encouraging Enterprise

4. DOORSTEP CRIME Target Older Vulnerable How Lists sold on by criminals The experienced eye / trained criminal Cowboy builders Distraction burglars

5. TARGET PROFILE 1.Mobile 2.Itinerant 3.Pay as you go phone numbers 4.False names 5.False vehicle registration plates

6. ENFORCEMENT ACTION The Law Cancellation of contracts New consumer protection regulations Fraud Act Enterprise Act / Injunctive actions

7. ENFORCEMENT ACTION Partnership working / Regional Police Scambusters Key Intelligence / Information

8. PREVENTIVE ACTION IN SOUTH TYNESIDE Community Safety roadshows Partners / Age Concern Education materials “Think Twice” / “Your Home Is Your Castle” Safetrader Scheme SMS text alert service

9. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CRIME / COUNTERFEITING Statutory duty Internationally the illicit industry earns the equivalent of the worlds tourist industry What is counterfeited? Everything!

10. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CRIME / COUNTERFEITING The victimless crime? Jobs Safety issues Money laundering Links to drugs even terrorism Uncontrolled pornography sales TAb / Baccy and drink houses uncontrolled

11. WHAT TRADING STANDARDS DO Policy Intelligence led targeting of producers Raid premises under warrant with partner agencies e.g. Police Disrupt distribution Education DVD for younger people in schools and colleges Work with local businesses Home Authority network

12. LOTTERY / PRIZE DRAW SCAMS Target Anybody but often older / vulnerable Perpetrators usually in non-EEC countries Foreign nationals / illegal immigrants operating in EEC countries What we do Gather intelligence / statements International referral system Interpol / Serious Organised Crime Agency

13. ’E’ MAIL SCAMS Subject Can be anything! Target Businesses and residents Main purpose I.D. thefts / transfer of cash How? Random generation / lists

14. ACTION Intelligence led Referral to appropriate national agency Roadshows / advice / Scams literature NB! The Service does not receive a lot of complaints

15. ‘PHOENIX’ COMPANIES Limited companies – legal status – why? ‘Genuine’ insolvency ‘Non-genuine’ insolvency Action Refer to insolvency Service

16. ANY QUESTIONS?

17. CONTACT Alan Armstrong Trading Standards & Licensing Manager Email alan.armstrong@southtyneside.gov.uk Telephone 4247892