Welcome to Trading Standards
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Want to know your rights as a consumer?
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Need a hand in understanding your rights and obligations as a business?
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Want to find out how we can help?
The Trading Standards Service affects the lives of everyone who lives in, trades in, or visits Darlington for work or leisure. We advise on civil and criminal legislation and are responsible for enforcing a wide range of criminal legislation aimed at protecting consumers and maintaining standards of fair trading. We also deal with local farm and farm animal health and welfare matters.
“We aim to promote and encourage a fair and safe environment for both consumers and businesses in Darlington”
Doorstep Crime
Do not deal with cold callers regardless of who they say they are. Be wary of Identification cards as thay are often false. If they persist then call the company using a number listed in the phone book or yellow pages. If in doubt, keep them out!
Click here for more Doorstep Crime Information
Darlington Trading Standards Service is re-launching it’s Action Pack with the aim of raising awareness of doorstep crime and to provide elderly and vulnerable Darlington residents with simple steps to follow on how to deal with callers at the door. The Action Pack also includes information on dealing with various scams and the use of home security measures.
The Action Packs are available from the Trading Standards Reception at 11 Houndgate, Crown Street & Cockerton Libraries, Age Concern and the Citizens Advice Bureau.
If you would like an Action Pack to be sent to you then please contact Darlington Trading Standards on 01325 388799.
Beware of Scams
A scam is a scheme designed to con you out of your cash or personal details.
There's a scam out there for everyone. If you let down your guard and think that you won't be fooled, then you too could become a victim.
Scammers are becoming more sophisticated and aim to con us all. Deceptive premium rate competition scams, bogus sweepstakes and lotteries, get-rich quick schemes and fake health cures are some of the favoured means of separating the unwary from their money. And the number of scams just keeps on growing.
Current scams and how you can avoid them
Bird Flu - Click to visit the DEFRA Website for Latest Information
Consumers
We can provide free, practical advice on anything that concerns your consumer rights. If you think you have not received the product or service that you expected then we might be able to help.
Click For Further Consumer Advice
Businesses
We can guide you through the maze of Trading Standards Legislation that you face in the day to day running of your business and advise you of your rights so that a fair solution can be found.
Click for further Business Advice
Consumer Advice
If you require initial advice on any consumer issue this is provided by our partner Consumer Direct.
Please click to email or telephone 0845 404 0506.
Business and Trader Advice
If you are a Darlington-based business and require advice please check our Business section