Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Service

25/10/2026

Take your time to find the right trader for your home improvements to avoid scammers posing as traders taking advantage. ⏱️🏠
Check places like TrustMark or Which? Trusted Trader to find a legit trader. ✅

And if you think something isn’t right or are feeling pressured, get help from Citizens Advice's consumer service to stay ⤵️

Contacting Citizens Advice consumer service by phone or on-line if you need further help with a consumer problem.

23/10/2026

Don't feel embarrassed about reporting a scam – scammers are clever and scams can happen to anyone.
Being affected by a scam doesn’t just have a financial impact, it can impact you emotionally too.
Reporting a scam could help track and stop a scammer, and reaching out to talk to someone about what you’re going through and how you’re feeling can help 💙 ⤵️
https://bit.ly/3UZNNAv

Find out where you can get emotional or financial support if you've been scammed.

23/10/2026

💨As Storm Austen Blows In - Watch Out For Rogue Traders!

Storms present an opportunity for criminals to knock doors and offer to repair loose tiles, guttering and to fix fences. The price often starts off cheap but can quickly escalate.

If you need to find a reputable trader we recommend using a Buy With Confidence Trading Standards Approved trader. Check out the following link for a list of local traders that have been vetted and approved by Trading Standards Services.
🔗 https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/

Please share, watch out for family, friends and neighbours over the coming days and report any suspicious activity to us using our new webform:
🔗https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/environmental-health/trading-standards/contact-trading-standards

For consumer advice you can also contact the Citizens Advice consumer service:
🔗https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/information/contact-the-consumer-service/

Portsmouth Neighbourhood Watch

Please note: Portsmouth Trading Standards does not operate Buy With Confidence in Portsmouth. The scheme is operated locally by our colleagues in Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Service.

21/10/2026

Many of us are trying to reduce our energy bills and make our homes greener. 🏠⚡🔋
Unfortunately, scammers are taking advantage of this with false ads, texts and emails offering fake grants or products and services that don’t exist.
Be and use Citizens Advice's online tool to check if something you’ve seen is a scam before paying for something that doesn’t exist:

As it’s turned off, we’ll only use the essential cookies our website needs to work. This means some things, like videos, might not work for you.

21/10/2026

Whether it's Heating, Lighting, Roofing or Fencing you need this season, use a Buy With Confidence Trading Standards Approved member.

https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/

Don’t forget: this Sunday at 2am, the clocks go back one hour!

Longer, darker evenings are on their way, so now’s a great time to get your home ready. Whether it’s a heating check, better home security or making sure your outdoor lights are working, Buy With Confidence can help you stay warm, safe and comfortable.

Enjoy the extra hour in bed, then put it to good use by finding a trusted local trader today!

👉 www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk

20/10/2026

Let down by a trader after having work done to your home? 🏡
Your next steps depend on what went wrong.
From being overcharged, to the job being sub-par, find out what you should do through the link. ⬇️



Link:

What to do if you're not happy with building or home improvement work, what your rights are, what to say to the trader, how to take further action, where to get more help.

17/10/2026

🚨 Been contacted by someone you don’t know unexpectedly, or had a trader come to your door with a limited time offer?
Don’t rush into any decisions. If you suspect you’re being scammed, here’s what to do ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4y1WLMd

What to look for when identifying a scam, and how to protect yourself from being scammed.

16/10/2026

We're delighted to have Easy Care Systems Ltd as Buy With Confidence Trading Standards Approved Members, Congratulations!

✅ We’re proud to announce that Easy Care Systems LTD has been approved as a member of the Buy With Confidence scheme.

It shows our commitment to responsible trading and good customer service, and gives you extra peace of mind when choosing to work with us.

Don’t forget our new Changing Places and Ramp Demonstration area. It’s free to visit, so come and test the equipment for yourself.

📞 02380 420678
🌐 Link in bio for an assessment or survey

15/10/2026

How much does Buy With Confidence membership cost?

Just £1 a day!

Well... almost. Membership for businesses with 1-5 full-time equivalent employees is £366 (including VAT) per year, just over a pound a day if it's not a Leap Year!

For that, you can promote your business as Trading Standards Approved, reassure customers that your business has been independently vetted, and receive ongoing support and advice throughout your membership.

Interested in finding out more? https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/apply for more information.
Application fees start from £198 (including VAT)
The £366 fee applies to businesses with 1-5 full-time equivalent employees for the year 2026/27. Membership fees vary according to business size and are reviewed each year.

15/10/2026

Be on the lookout for something scary this Halloween 👻

Our Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Service is urging shoppers to stay alert for unsafe Halloween products after discovering two seasonal products that failed safety checks during checks on imported goods.

The batch of items, which have now been prevented from being sold in the UK, included an alien mask that posed a suffocation risk and vampire teeth that could pose a choking hazard.

Follow this advice to avoid a nasty trick:

🕸️ Check costumes, masks and accessories carry a UKCA or CE mark – look out for counterfeit labelling
🛒 Buy from trusted retailers and think twice if something is presented as a bargain
🔋 Keep button batteries secure as they can cause serious or even fatal injuries if swallowed
🍬 Check sweets for allergens and are age-appropriate
🔥Keep clothing away from naked flames at all times
🔦 Stay visible after dark

If you spot an unsafe product or something goes wrong, report it to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 or online through the consumer helpline.

For the latest safety alerts and recalls, search ‘product safety alerts’ on the UK government website. Make sure the only scares this Halloween are the ones you planned! 🎃