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October 2019 October 2019

strengthened to a principal residence policy, including holiday lets as well as DORSET TRADING STANDARDS
second homes. The detrimental effect on small communities is just as apparent
with holiday lets and people intent on purchasing a second home need only
advertise their property as a holiday let (but not necessarily actually let it) to avoid Dorset Council Trading Standards Service check and approve
this. In addition, small business rate relief can then be claimed. businesses so you don’t have to.
For more information visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or
This policy must be a principal residence policy or there will be little point in having
it. Continuing development and sale of second homes and holiday lets in our call 08454 040506.
small rural and coastal communities runs completely contrary to the NPPF’s To report or seek advice about problems you have
golden thread of sustainable development. experienced when dealing with a trader call 08454 040506.
It is also important to keep the flexibility to review and amend the area that the
policy covers should it become apparent that the policy is causing ‘creep’ of the
effects of second homes/holiday lets into surrounding settlements. Dorset Council Trading Standards is a Friend Against Scams
Dorset Council Trading Standards has become a Friends Against Scams
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Having led the development of this
plan, we are keen to ensure that any changes are both viable and appropriate. Organisation, committed to take a stand against scams in Dorset!
We will therefore very much welcome the opportunity to speak with you when we Scams are fraud and many people are contacted by criminals by post, phone,
believe you are consulting on changes in October. Please treat this as a formal online or on the doorstep. Over half of people 65+ have been targeted by
request for us to be consultees. criminal scams. Age UK found that worryingly only 5% of people report scams, so
95% of people don’t. Silence is a scammers best friend as it allows perpetrators of
This submission is made in our capacities as ward members on behalf of our
these crimes to continue unchallenged and victims to remain unsupported.
communities.
There is a scam for everyone and anyone can be affected. Young people can be
Cllr Peter Wharf Cllr Laura Miller
scammed when buying a first mobile phone or paying online letting agents for
Dorset Council Dorset Council student accommodation. Older people may fall for fake lotteries, prize draws and
catalogue scams. Others may lose money when contacted out of the blue by

someone purporting to be from their bank.
Dorset Lottery People who are more vulnerable to scams can receive multiple contacts a day
by fraudsters and there are many reasons why people reply. Some feel they have
Dorset Council is seeking the views of local residents, community groups and local
charities on the proposal to run a Community Lottery for local good causes in the an obligation to respond to letters or enjoy the routine of opening and responding
Dorset council area. In order to determine if there is a willingness for this to to post. Some people want to receive the cheque for their promised winnings.
happen we want to ask people to complete a short online survey. The survey only Friends Against Scams aims to break the silence around scams, giving people
takes 5 minutes to complete. Please note that no decision to run a Community information to be able to spot the signs of a scam, talk with and support others
Lottery has yet to be made. We simply want to measure people’s thoughts (good and report scams. It is a national and growing scheme that aims to recruit 1 million
and bad) about having one. The Survey closes at 4pm on Sunday 13th October. ‘Friends’ by 2020.
Survey Link
Anyone can become a ‘Friend’, many
https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=156328632851 people are, and you could too. Visit the
n a t i o n a l w e b s i t e
The proposal is that a ticket will cost £1 with 60p going to local causes. Players will
be able to nominate good causes they wish to support when buying their ticket. www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk to learn
Of this 60p – 50p would go to the local cause and 10p will go towards a more about scams.
community grant. All players get a chance to win prizes of up to £25,000. Every For advice about scams and to report
ticket purchased has a 1 in 50 chance of winning and winners will be given the something to Trading Standards call the
option to reinvest their winnings to their nominated charity or community group. Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454
04 05 06.

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