Beware mobile phone cashback schemes, say Trading Standards

SHOPPERS in West Somerset are being warned by Somerset County Council to be cautious of mobile phone cashback schemes.
People thinking of buying a new mobile phone in the run up to Christmas could be tempted by contracts which appear to suggest that money paid out in monthly phone bills can be reclaimed.
In reality, the complexity of these contracts often leaves the consumer out of pocket, warn county council trading standards officers.
The cashback offer is often a separate contract to the one taken out with the mobile phone company, and the terms and conditions are seldom fully explained to the customer.
The schemes are often complex and inflexible, which can result in the customer being unable to reclaim their money.
The consumer may be asked to post their mobile phone bills to the cashback operator within strict time limits in order to claim their cashback, and are often unable to check whether they have been received.
Concerns have been raised amid reports that operators are withholding payment on the grounds that the paperwork has been ‘lost in the post’.
The county council is advising shoppers to check the terms and conditions carefully before signing up to any cashback schemes and to ensure that all necessary documentation is sent by recorded delivery.
Somerset Trading Standards team group manager Howard Burnett said: “Mobile phone cashback schemes can seem an attractive prospect to shoppers looking to purchase a new mobile phone.
“I would urge consumers to make sure that they read the small print in order to make an informed decision about the best deal for them.”
The council’s community safety portfolio holder, Councillor Henry Hobhouse, said: “We are committed to providing services for a modern society.
“Consumer rights are becoming an increasingly important aspect of everyday life, and the information provided by the council will help local people to be wary of schemes which could leave them out of pocket.”
All terms and conditions in consumer contracts are covered by law.
Anybody with any concerns about terms and conditions, or who would like to check their customer rights should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or visit http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/.

Villagers to give police thoughts on quality of life issues

RESIDENTS of Nether Stowey and Over Stowey are being invited to attend a meeting later this week to discuss any issues they feel are affecting their local communities.
The Partners and Communities Together meeting (PACT) will be held in Nether Stowey Village Hall, on Friday at 7.30 pm.
PACT allows local people an opportunity to have their say on matters affecting their neighbourhood - anything from litter or noise to street lighting or anti-social behaviour.
In short, anything that impacts on their quality of life.
The meetings are designed to bring communities together with local police teams and key representatives from various partner agencies and organisations.
Everybody is welcome to go along with ideas on how their neighbourhood could be improved.
Anybody who would like to discuss any policing issues affecting their area, but is unable to attend the PACT meeting on Friday, can instead contact their rural neighbourhood policing team at Bridgwater Police Station on 0845 456 7000 or visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/inyourarea.

Crime is still falling says West Somerset police chief

THE number of crimes being committed across West Somerset has continued to fall, the district’s police chief, Inspector Carol Pearce, has claimed.
Inspector Pearce said there was a 25 per cent reduction in crime last year, and a further five per cent fall since April of this year.
She said: “It is all about keeping our community safe and enabling people to feel safe, whether on holiday or a resident.”
Inspector Pearce was speaking after a successful Operation Relentless initiative at the weekend in which officers visited alcohol-designated areas and licensed premises to detect licensing and drug offences and to seize alcohol.
The York House Inn, in Minehead, which is a Pub Watch member, took part in drug testing, working with police and the licensing department.
An Itemiser machine was used and 49 people were tested for controlled drugs - with none found to be positive.
The number of alcohol seizures was also well down on the previous such exercise, and Inspector Pearce said this type of prevention activity would be repeated by partners across West Somerset.
Inspector Pearce said: “This is a positive indication that police presence, and new orders, are having an impact on people’s behaviour.
“It shows that most of the time we have people in the right place at the right time.
“Police officers, PCSOs, and Special Constables are routinely checking alcohol-designated areas, seizing alcohol, and moving people on though a Section 27 Order where they may cause a nuisance.”
Inspector Pearce said people now understood the message that police were taking anti-social-behaviour and drugs abuse seriously.
However, she said it remained important for residents to keep the police informed about any problems they had in their area.
She said: “I make sure my patrols are in the areas we know they are needed.
“If people do not tell us about their problems, we do not always know they exist.”