Shetland Trading Standards

20/10/2026

⚠ Do you have a pimple popping squishy toy at home? If it came with a sharp needle or syringe, stop using it immediately. ⚠

These products can cause injury to adults and children.

Put any needles in a puncture-resistant container until they can be disposed of safely.

Check your local authority’s website or contact your local pharmacy or GP surgery in advance for local sharps disposal advice.

Please share this warning with friends and family.

New story:🔗 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/stop-using-pimple-popping-toys-with-needles-says-opss

Read all Product Safety Reports:🔗 https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls?keywords=pimple+popping+squishes&product_recall_alert_date%5Bfrom%5D=08/10/2026

20/10/2026

🛒 Cybercrime Season is Here: Are You (and Your Business) Ready for Black Friday and Christmas sales?

With the run-up to Black Friday and the festive shopping season well underway, bargain hunters are heading online in droves—and unfortunately, cybercriminals are ready and waiting. Did you know that 58% of all crime in England and Wales now happens online?
Whether you're snapping up festive deals or managing a business during peak sales season, fraudsters are stepping up their game with fake invoice requests, phishing texts, and fraudulent retail links.

To help you stay safe, our colleagues at Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards and Surrey Police are hosting two free, practical webinars designed to help you spot modern fraud, lock down your devices, and know what to do if you’re targeted.

Both 90-minute sessions include British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation and are completely free to join.

🛍️ 1️⃣ For Consumers: What Every Consumer Needs to Know
Don't let Black Friday bargains turn into holiday heartbreak.
• When: Wednesday, 25 November | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
• What you’ll learn:
o How to spot fake shopping sites, too-good-to-be-true delivery texts, and scam emails.
o Essential tips to protect your personal payment details and devices while shopping online.
o The psychological pressure tactics scammers use to rush you into making a mistake.
o The vital 5-Step Action Plan if you fall victim to a scam (Stop, Secure, Bank, Report, Support).
• 👉 Secure Your Free Consumer Spot on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/unwrapping-cybercrime-modern-fraud-what-every-consumer-needs-to-know-tickets-1996216812222

🏢 2️⃣ For Organisations: What Every Organisation Needs to Know
Protect your cash flow and operations during peak retail season.
• When: Friday, 27 November | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
• What you’ll learn:
o How criminals exploit high-volume trading periods through fake supplier emails, invoice fraud, and impersonation scams.
o Practical ways to defend company data, networks, and remote devices against ransomware and cyber attacks.
o Why busy staff get tricked—and how urgency and stress bypass internal controls.
o The 5-Step Business Emergency Response for immediate damage control (Pause transfers, secure accounts, contact your commercial bank, report, and get expert support).
• 👉 Secure Your Free Organisation Spot on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/unwrapping-cybercrime-modern-fraud-what-every-organisation-needs-to-know-tickets-1996217547421

Don't leave the door open to cybercriminals this season. Register today to protect yourself, your family, or your business!

01/10/2026

⚠️ Warning for parents and carers

We’ve issued a safety alert for baby sleeping bags without armholes or with a hood.

These products pose a serious, or even lethal risk as they can allow a baby to slip inside the sleeping bag or have their nose and mouth covered.

❌️ Do not buy or use these products. If you already own one, stop using it immediately and contact the supplier.

📢 Share this post with anyone who may have this product.

Read more: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/safety-alert-issued-for-baby-sleeping-bags

See the full alert: https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-safety-alert-baby-sleeping-bags-psa9

17/09/2026

Do you work with local communities?

OPSS is offering funding up to £10,000 for projects that deliver product safety community training.

We want to support organisations that can deliver training to volunteers or employees to understand and be able to advise their communities about:

• Product safety issues affecting children under 5 and/or
• Cosmetic product safety

(We cannot fund bids about food, chemicals, medical products or vehicles).

We particularly welcome applications from charities, voluntary organisations and community groups.

📅 Apply by 30 October 2026.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/opss-community-funding-for-product-safety

16/09/2026

14/08/2026

Taking little ones for a splash this summer? Make sure to check their baby float.

Some baby floats have been recalled due to serious safety risks, including capsizing, entrapment or restricted movement, and can increase the risk of drowning .

Check our product recalls: https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls?keywords=%22baby+float%22

14/08/2026

Cybercriminals don’t just rely on technology to commit crimes. They take advantage of trust, emotions, and opportunity to manipulate victims into sharing sensitive information or making risky decisions.

Some common enablers include:
⚠️ Poor account security
🔗 Clicking unverified links
📱 Oversharing on social media
⏰ Urgency and emotional manipulation
📩 Unexpected communications
❓ Lack of awareness

Awareness is one of the strongest forms of protection. To learn more about common enablers of cybercrime, read the factsheet here: www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/site-media/484316894/pdf

14/08/2026

Cybercrime can impact anyone. 💻⚠️
If you or someone you know has been targeted, follow these steps and read our factsheet for more detailed guidance:
📄 www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/site-media/484316894/pdf

🚨Please be aware: if you have been a victim of cybercrime or fraud, you may be targeted again by individuals or companies claiming they can recover your lost funds, often for an upfront fee. This is known as recovery fraud and is itself a scam. No legitimate organisation will guarantee the recovery of lost funds or charge a fee to do so. If you are approached in this way:
❌ Do not pay
📢 Report it to Report Fraud

13/08/2026

30/07/2026

🔒 Anyone can become a victim of cybercrime. It does not discriminate by age, background, or technical ability.

Some groups, including older adults and people facing emotional or financial challenges, may be more frequently targeted by cybercriminals. These scams succeed because of highly sophisticated and convincing tactics, not because someone is naive.

⚠️ Fear of stigma or embarrassment can also prevent victims from seeking help or reporting incidents, increasing their vulnerability.

By raising awareness and encouraging open conversations, we can help people stay informed, supported, and protected online. 💻

Read more: www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/site-media/484316894/pdf