Author Archives: NIDirect Newsroom

It’s Scams Awareness Month and people are being warned to beware of being caught out by fraudsters. There are countless ways that criminals have found to scam people out of their money, but there are steps to take to be wiser about scams.

Do some research

New technology has made scamming a fine art. Telephones, smartphones, computers, and tablets has inspired a new generation of scammers from home and abroad.

People need to be much more careful. Just as the internet is used to search for products and services, people should use the internet to:

• research the seller or provider
• check reviews and scam alerts from those who have already been caught out

It is one of the easiest ways of protecting yourself.

Scams and what to do 

Each month Trading Standards Service’s Consumerline receives hundreds of complaints, many from people who have been scammed from a few pounds to many thousands of pounds.

For example:

• phone calls catch the unwary who are frequently too quick to agree business over the phone
• instead of being given money, some consumers have lost hundreds of pounds applying for loans
• fake websites supposedly selling cars and even outboard motors have caught local consumers out in recent weeks

Lots of people also fall for ‘free trials’ of various lotions and potions. Thinking they have paid only a few pounds for post and packaging, they discover that they have had sometimes hundreds of pounds withdrawn from their account under a Continuous Payment Authority. In many cases, goods are simply never delivered.

Anyone who feels that they have been a victim of a scam should contact Consumerline. 

Report a scam

Many people who are scammed feel they are to blame to falling for it, but it’s not their fault.

If you have – or know someone who has – been a victim of fraud, no matter how small, you should report it to the PSNI or Action Fraud. 

Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

More useful links

Share this page

read more

If you are pregnant, there is new advice about the types of physical activity that are safe to do while you’re expecting. Taking part in safe, responsible and appropriate physical activity while pregnant can have many health benefits.

Addressing health concerns

The new recommendations aim to address concerns around obesity, diabetes and other health issues during pregnancy. 

Research shows that taking regular physical exercise during pregnancy can:

• boost the immune system
• help prevent health risks such as Type 2 diabetes 
• improve mental health and wellbeing

If you are pregnant you should listen to your body and adapt your exercise accordingly. 

As a general rule, if it feels pleasant, keep going; if it is uncomfortable, then stop and seek advice from your health professional.

If you are already active then try to keep up your physical activity levels.

You may need to adapt your activity throughout your pregnancy. For example, replacing contact sports with a non-contact sport or an appropriate exercise class – ‘don’t bump the bump’.

There is no evidence of harm for expectant mother or baby resulting from moderate intensity physical activity. 

If you weren’t active before pregnancy, it is recommended you slowly increase the amount of exercise you do. Begin with 10-minute bouts of moderate-intensity exercise, gradually building up to 150 minutes in total spread throughout the week. It is important to remember that ‘every activity counts’.

If you were not active before your pregnancy you should avoid intense exercise, such as: 

• running
• jogging
• racquet sports
• strenuous strength training 

Activities to avoid

If pregnant you should avoid activities where there is an increased risk of falling, trauma or high impact injuries. These include: 

• skiing
• water skiing
• surfing
• off-road cycling
• gymnastics
• horse riding
• contact sports, such as ice hockey, boxing, football or basketball

After the first trimester of your pregnancy you are also discouraged from exercise that requires lying flat on your back. 

Medical advice

You should seek medical advice if you experience: 

• breathlessness before or following mild exercise
• headaches
• dizziness
• chest pain
• muscle weakness affecting balance
• calf pain or swelling

If you experience pregnancy complications such as vaginal bleeding, regular painful contractions, or amniotic fluid leakage, you may also be advised to reduce or stop physical activity.

More useful links

Share this page

read more

Everyone is being encouraged to sit down with their loved ones and talk about their organ donation wishes. A family will always have to agree to donation, whether or not their loved one is on the Organ Donor Register. You can sign up to the register on… read more

Members of the public will be receiving jury notices in the post. If you get one, you must fill in the Form of Return. You can do this online. Jury service Each year people are randomly selected from the Electoral Register to potentially be called for … read more