Legitimate businesses across the Falkirk Council area are being urged to sign up to a national scheme that promotes good business practice, reduced opportunity for criminals and provides protection to consumers.

Administered and monitored by Trading Standards in local authority areas across the UK, Buy with Confidence is seen as a benchmark for reliability and trustworthiness.

To join the scheme, businesses undergo a series of background checks by Trading Standards. These checks are thorough, and membership of the scheme is not automatic.

Good references are also required from previous customers, and the business must agree to abide by a code of conduct.  Members are continually monitored to ensure they uphold the standards of scheme.

Eligible businesses are then entered into an online database which consumers can search by trade, profession or locality.

The scheme is open to all types of traders and businesses who can show they are trustworthy and honest.

Councillor Jim Blackwood, spokesperson for Public Protection said: “Buy with Confidence supports legitimate local businesses, allows them to identify themselves as fit and proper and promote their business to consumers who have never used them before providing the link between Falkirk residents.

“Consumers can access a list of businesses in the Falkirk Council area that have been vetted and approved by Trading Standards to ensure they conduct their business legally and honestly.”

For further information contact Trading Standards on 01324 506070 or email buywithconfidence@falkirk.gov.uk

You can also visit www.falkirk.gov.uk/buywithconfidence.