Dear Kent Residents This week we want to remind all residents to use the 159 number if you receive a potential scam call. Watch the 30 second explainer video here. By calling 159 it provides an easy route back to safety when you get an unexpected phone call about a financial matter. Easy to remember, the short code number now connects customers of more than 99% of the UK’s retail bank current accounts safely and directly with their bank. Unlike many long-form numbers, 159 cannot be spoofed or impersonated. Together we can create a safer community and protect ourselves from the threat of scams. Please continue to update friends and family. For scam alerts as they are issued please add us on Instagram or Facebook. Thank you.

Mark Rolfe

Interim Head Community Protection

How to report doorstep criminals Report to Kent Police You can also report it to the charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111. You'll stay 100% anonymous, always.

⚠ Looking for a new job? Don't get your identity stolen in the process. Personal information is extremely valuable to criminals. They use your details to impersonate you and apply for products and services such as bank accounts, loans, and credit cards. They may also target you asking for upfront fees. Providing too much personal information (e.g. driving licence number, passport number, full address) in your CV could leave you vulnerable to scams. Spot the signs:

🚨Unrealistic salary

🚨 Job offer without interview

🚨 Poor written advert

🚨 Being asked for money or personal details

Always do your research on a company and make sure they are who they say they are.

☎ For advice and to report contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline 0808 223 1133.

Pets can be victims of domestic abuse, as well as being used as a means to control someone. This is what survivor Peace experienced - "You think ‘it’s love because he's buying me a kitten’. But every time he got jealous, he'd kick and smack the kitten, or shout at it." In Kent and Medway, we work with Dogs Trust Freedom project and Cats Protection to care for someone's pet, to help them feel more able to leave their situation. Find support here. We also have Pets in Refuge - which helps victim-survivors cover costs of having their pets in self-contained refuge, meaning they don't need to leave their pet as well as the person abusing them.

Emergency: call 999 (BSL - www.999bsl.co.uk app)

Non-emergency: Call 0808 16 89 111 www.signlive.co.uk - search Victim Support Live chat: www.victimsupport.org.uk

Farmfoods is recalling Farmfoods Ultimate Keralan Chicken Curry because it contains crustaceans (prawns) which are not mentioned on the label. Product Details Product code: L550 Pack size: 400g Best before: 13 February 2026

Advice to consumers

If you have bought this product and have an allergy to crustaceans, do not eat it. Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund. More information How to get advice and report To report scams and get advice on consumer issues call Citizen’s Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 If you have information on doorstep criminals, counterfeit, fake or illegal goods, illicit tobacco, loan sharks or those selling restricted items to underage kids, call the charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 To find a safe, local trader use Kent County Council’s safe trader scheme: Trading Standards Checked. To find a member call 03000 416438 or visit kent.gov.uk/tschecked