South Gloucestershire Trading Standards are concerned by the number of clothing collection leaflets that are being posted through residents doors. Many of them stop short of falsely claiming that they are collecting on behalf of national charities, but give the impression that by donating you will be benefiting a worthy cause. The concern is that clothing collections are being done for commercial purposes, whereby the clothing is taken outside of the UK and sold for profit to market traders in other European countries.  In particular, we are aware of a clothing collection operating in the Thornbury area recently which was claimed to be for a cancer prevention programme in another country and another that give the impression that they are  a well-known children's charity. We suspect that these may well be bogus claims and would remind residents that the only fail-safe way to benefit such worthy causes is to only donate directly to known charities.

For advice on this or any other consumer matter, contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06

A new telephone scam has started travelling the country! You receive a call from a 'representative' of BT informing you that he was disconnecting you immediately because of an unpaid bill. He demands payment immediately of £31 or it would cost £118 later to reconnect! He is not fazed if you tell him you are not with BT, alleging that the other phone companies have to pay BT a percentage in line rental!! His name is the 'very English' John Peacock, spoken with a very 'African' accent and the phone number to contact is 08000800152. If he thinks you disbelieve him he offers to demonstrate he is from BT . When you ask how, he tells you to hang up and try phoning someone - he would disconnect your phone to prevent this. HE DOES DO THIS!! Your phone is dead, until he phones back. He asks if that is enough proof and states that you can pay by credit card. If you challenge him and tell him you will not pay, he hangs up. If you try 1471 or phone the number he gave both are not recognised. Please let as many people as possible know about this scam. The number to dial is in fact 0800 800152 which takes you to BT Business. The cutting of the line is simple, he stays on the line with the mute button on and you cannot dial out, but he can hear you trying. (This is because who ever initiates a call is the one to terminate it) When you stop trying, he phones you back. You could be convinced and give your credit or debit card number to clear the bill, it would not just clear a bill that does not exist, but would probably mean your bank account cleared too!! DO NOT FALL FOR THIS SCAM, JUST HANG UP.