Northern Scot Column
Posted on Friday, August 3 2007
BEWARE OF SCAMSConsumer scams are rarely out of the news these days, however a recent article drew my eye to a particular problem.It seems that in addition to the various e-mail hoaxes, requests for bank details by unscrupulous computer hackers and the myriad of dodgy money making schemes that land folk's doormats each day there is a new menace. Rogue Traders are jumping on the band-wagon of digital television and have, in some areas, been selling expensive and unnecessary attchments and aerial setups which they claim are needed to get a television signal.This has occurred in areas where the digital switchover is not due to occur for another four years. In Moray we are slightly sooner than that in 2010 but the switchover is still 3 years away.It is true that householders may have to invest in new equipment but there is plenty of free impartial advice available. I would urge householders in Moray to remain vigilant and be aware that rogue traders have taken advantage of people in the run up to digital television. If you need to invest in new television equipment - whether it is the television itself, set-top boxes or new aerial equipment make sure that you know exactly who you are buying from and that they are not selling something that is expensive and unnecessary.In Moray we are fortunate to have a good number of reliable and trustworthy local suppliers, unfortunately there are individuals who will happily give the rest a bad name for the sake of a quick profit.SUMMER RECESS ARRIVESLast week saw the adjournment of the Westminster Parliament for the summer. While I hope to grab a holiday in September time the first few weeks provide an opportunity to spend more time getting around Moray's communities rather than passing by on the way to catch a train or plane to London. I have already had the pleasure of opening Hopeman Gala and in the coming weeks I will be holding surgeries at Keith Show, visiting the bingo hall in Buckie to highlight the issue of Bingo Tax which causes Bingo players to pay more tax than any other form of gambling, meetings with local councillors and motorcycle rally from Elgin to Forres and back that aims to raise awareness of the threat to driver test centre services in Moray. Another thing that tends to happen at the end of the parliamentary term is the publication of a large number of written Ministerial Statements. In the last couple of weeks there have been literally dozens, some of them being a fairly substantial size. My SNP colleagues and I have argued, and will continue to argue, that this is a complete abuse of democracy.With so many reports being issed many important issues are lost to the media and, therefore, the public in general and on too many occasions the government of the day has tried to slip out bad news in the last week of business. This is an unacceptable situation and we have been urging the Prime Minister to get a grip on this activity and ensure that parliament and the public are informed in a proper and reasonable way of important government developments. At least with the recess I can look forward to having some sensible discussion with Moray residents on the issues that concern them rather than continuously asking reasonable questions which the government usually fail to answer!
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