Shops hugely inflate cost of food
A shop reportedly hiked the price of a food item to 154 per cent of its value amid the coronavirus crisis, it has been revealed.
Tony Quigley, head of Trading Standards at Birmingham City Council, warned the pandemic was bringing out the “worst” in some people as he explained the scams the council is investigating.
Mr Quigley said the council had been notified of a city centre shop selling “rice or flour” with an recommended retail price (RRP) of £13 for a staggering £20, a mark-up of 70 per cent.
But officers have been unable to verify the report, as the shop’s shelves were empty by the time they got there to check, Mr Quigley said.
Elsewhere shops have been caught selling hand sanitizer containing glutaral (or glutaraldehyde), which was banned for human use in 2014.
Mr Quigley also warned people to avoid clicking on links in any suspicious texts or emails claiming to offer Government payouts during the coronavirus crisis.
He said: “I think at times like this, it brings out the best in people but also the worst in people, though the worst in people is the minority.
“It’s really sad that people believe it’s an opportunity to take advantage. It’s just despicable really.
“If we can catch some of these people, they need to feel the full weight of the law.
“With items you will see the RRP all over the packaging. But some stores have been putting an inflated price on the top.
“I you can see a lower price being advertised, they are supposed to charge the lower price. But what they have been doing is charging the higher price.
“We have [been told of] some items being sold for £20 that have an RRP of £12.99. That was a bulk bag of flour or rice.
“By the time we get there, the shelves are empty.
“It’s sad criminals are targeting people when we have this pandemic. It’s reprehensible.”
Coun Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “It’s an absolute disgrace that heartless criminals are using the coronavirus pandemic to exploit some of our most vulnerable citizens.
“So it’s really important for people to be on their guard and to look out for vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours who may become a target for fraudsters.”
