News

Scammers trying to take advantage of cornavirus outbreak

Published

6 years ago

March 26, 2020

PEMBROKESHIRE residents are being warned to be on their guard against a series of scams attempting to take advantage of the coronavirus outbreak.

Miracle cures, bogus testing kits and counterfeit hand sanitiser are just some of the coronavirus or Covid-19 themed scams being reported nationally.

Whilst no direct reports have been received yet, Pembrokeshire Trading Standards and Dyfed-Powys Police are warning everyone to be on their guard and to look out for vulnerable friends and family who may be targeted.

Scammers are exploiting the coronavirus situation, dressing up familiar old scams to make them appear credible.

Tactics are employed by phone, mail, on the doorstep and online. Some examples include –

Online

Bogus World Health Organisation (WHO) emails seeking personal information and delivering malware to corrupt your data.
Payment for a list of infected people in your area where you may be required to pay by bitcoin or asked to click on a link which delivers malware

Holiday Refunds

Fake websites to claim holiday refunds

Counterfeit Goods

Counterfeit or poor quality hand gel and face masks that will not provide the protection they claim

Donations

Bogus charities seeking donations for victims of Covid-19
Donations for a Covid-19 vaccine

Phone

Calls to piper lifeline users that they owe money
Criminals claiming to be your bank or utility company

Miracle Cures & Supplements

Miracle cures or other health supplements that claim to treat or prevent the virus.

Doorstep

Offers to shop and collect medicines, with thieves taking upfront cash payments and not being seen again.
Handing over bank cards with pin numbers and personal details resulting in substantial money loss.

Loan Sharks

Illegal money lenders prey on people’s financial hardship, charging extortionate interest rates and fees and threats of violence. Report it to the Illegal Money Lending Unit tel. 0300 123 3311 or email [email protected]

Businesses have also been targeted by bank mandate fraud –

Emails seeking urgent payment due to cash flow problems,
False claims of changes to bank account details in an attempt to pay the scammer instead
Third parties claiming to act on behalf of employees incapacitated by the virus

Sandra McSparron, Lead Trading Standards Officer at Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “The list is endless – scammers have no limits, no morals, no scruples – they just want to profit”

“This is a difficult time for everyone, especially vulnerable people who are self-isolating or shielding”.

“Simple acts like keeping in touch by phone or online can make all the difference. Seek advice and support if you or someone you know is concerned about any suspicious contact.”

Cllr Cris Tomos, Cabinet Member for the Environment, Public Protection and Welsh language, added: “It is a very sad but unfortunate fact of life that scammers will try to take advantage of any situation they can to try to get their hands on people’s money.

“We know there are such scams linked to coronavirus being circulated so please follow the advice of our Trading Standards Team and be very wary of unsolicited calls emails, etc and protect yourself and your family from these criminals who are preying on extra vulnerabilities at this time.”

Trading standards offer the following advice –

If you are unable to go out and need help with essential matters such as shopping and collection of medicines, contact the Council’s Community Coordination Hub (details below). Be wary of anyone turning up on your doorstep without prior arrangement.
Don’t click on links or attachments in suspicious emails
Never respond to unsolicited emails and phone calls asking for personal or financial details
Make sure your anti-viral software is up-to-date
Don’t make on the spot decisions – take time and speak to someone you trust for their opinion
If you can, carry out your own checks online for adverse reports about a business
Register with the Telephone Preference Service to reduce unwanted telemarketing calls tel: 0345 070 0707 or via their website [email protected]
Don’t take someone’s word who they claim to be – take steps to verify it yourself. Genuine callers will understand and not pressurise you.
Consider obtaining a nuisance telephone call blocker to stop nuisance and scam calls. If you would like a free trial of one contact Pembrokeshire Trading Standards team on 01437 764551 or email [email protected]
If you need any repairs or home maintenance, ask family and friends for recommendation and if possible obtain a few quotes before you decide
Above all, speak to someone if you do have a problem as scammers will often persist to contact you where you have previously made a payment or given personal information

Hiking Up Prices

In addition to scams some retailers have ramped up the price of goods in high demand such as hand gel, paracetamol and toilet roll, a process known as price gouging.

Examples include a standard box of paracetamol priced £59 online and a small bottle of hand sanitiser priced £30.

Competition watchdog the Consumer and Markets Authority, has set up a taskforce to crack down on businesses that cash in during the outbreak.

It states action will be taken against traders that do not heed the warning. eBay has already suspended hundreds of “bad seller” accounts. You can report inflated price concerns to the CMA via the www.gov.uk website.

Pembrokeshire County Council has set up a Community Coordination Hub Team to support vulnerable residents affected by the COVID-19 virus, providing voluntary services such as grocery shopping and medicine delivery.

News

Parliament narrowly backs move towards UK-EU customs union

Published

9 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A TEN Minute Rule Bill calling for the UK to negotiate a customs union with the European Union has passed its first Parliamentary hurdle after a knife-edge vote in the House of Commons.

The proposal, brought forward by Liberal Democrat Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton MP, was approved by a single vote on Tuesday after the Commons split 100 votes to 100, with the Deputy Speaker using their casting vote in favour of the Bill proceeding.

The Liberal Democrats described the result as a “historic victory”, arguing it sets an important parliamentary precedent for closer post-Brexit trading ties with the EU.

The vote saw 13 Labour backbenchers break ranks to support the proposal, alongside MPs from the Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru. In Wales, six MPs voted in favour, including Plaid Cymru’s Liz Saville Roberts, Ben Lake, Llinos Medi, Ann Davies, and Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick, as well as Labour’s Tonia Antoniazzi, the MP for Gower.

However, the majority of Welsh Labour MPs chose not to back the measure. Among those abstaining was Henry Tufnell, Labour MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, who did not vote either for or against the Bill.

Other Welsh Labour MPs who abstained included representatives from Cardiff, Swansea, Llanelli, Neath, Newport, the Valleys and north Wales constituencies.

Economic impact of Brexit cited

The Liberal Democrats pointed to analysis from the House of Commons Library, commissioned by the party, which estimates the UK is losing around £250m a day in tax revenue as a result of Brexit-related economic impacts.

The party also highlighted concerns about the effect of Brexit on Welsh trade, citing research suggesting the volume of Welsh exports to the EU fell by around 31% between 2019 and 2024, while EU imports into Wales declined by approximately 20% over the same period.

They argue that small and medium-sized businesses in Wales are particularly exposed to additional trade barriers with the EU, given Wales’ historic reliance on European markets.

Speaking after the vote, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesperson David Chadwick MP said the result reflected growing pressure for a change in the UK’s trading relationship with Europe.

“Across Wales, people are crying out for real change and a solution to the cost-of-living crisis,” he said. “A customs union with the EU is the single biggest step the government could take to grow our economy, put money back into people’s pockets and generate billions for our public services.”

Government position unchanged

The vote does not change government policy, and Ten Minute Rule Bills rarely become law without government backing. Labour ministers have so far ruled out rejoining the single market or customs union, citing commitments made during the general election campaign.

However, the narrow margin and cross-party support are likely to add pressure on the government as it seeks to “reset” relations with the EU through negotiations on trade, defence and regulatory cooperation.

For Pembrokeshire, where agriculture, food production, tourism and small exporters form a significant part of the local economy, the debate is likely to resonate, particularly among businesses affected by post-Brexit paperwork, costs and delays.

The Bill will now proceed to a second reading at a later date, though its long-term prospects remain uncertain.

Crime

Van driver avoids ban after speeding on A48

Published

9 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Court Reporter

A VAN driver who was caught speeding on the A48 near Nantycaws avoided disqualification after magistrates accepted that a ban would cause exceptional hardship to others.

Norman Andrew Chapman, aged 59, of Rock Drive, Gelli, Pentre, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

Chapman admitted driving a Ford Transit 350 panel van at 68mph on a dual carriageway subject to a 60mph limit for that class of vehicle. The offence occurred at 1:05pm on April 2 and was detected using laser equipment.

The court heard detailed mitigation outlining Chapman’s caring responsibilities. He helps care for his housebound mother, who is on oxygen, and has taken on additional responsibilities while his brother undergoes cancer treatment. Magistrates were also told he assists a lifelong friend with panic attacks by taking her shopping, and that losing his licence would jeopardise his employment and potentially affect his employer’s business.

Finding exceptional hardship, the court decided not to disqualify Chapman.

He was fined £193, ordered to pay £400 in prosecution costs, and had three penalty points added to his driving licence.

Crime

Harassment case against Milford Haven man dismissed

Published

9 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Court Reporter

A HARASSMENT case against a Milford Haven man was dismissed after prosecutors offered no evidence.

David Daley, aged 45, of Murray Road, Milford Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15) for trial.

Daley had denied a charge of harassment without violence, relating to allegations that between October 28 and October 30 he persistently sent unwanted messages and attended at the home address of a female in Prioryville, Milford Haven.

No evidence was offered by the Crown Prosecution Service, and the charge was formally dismissed by the court.