Mansfield-based business Trusted PPE has warned businesses and the public alike to be vigilant against uncertified and illegitimate PPE supplies.

Trusted PPE has been set up by the CCM Group, which has transformed its business model to help source and supply PPE to the NHS, care homes and health organisations as well as the public – and also donated items to care homes.

In order to help combat the rise in rogue traders, Trusted PPE has launched a dedicated website for the general public, enabling them to purchase low cost and certified face masks and hand sanitisers directly.

The company said: “Over recent weeks, the team at Trusted PPE has noticed a huge spike in the number of businesses exploiting the market and profiteering from PPE sales.

“In some cases, businesses have been inflating prices by over 1,000%, while others are importing illegitimate PPE from suppliers in Asia using fake and invalid certificates.”

Trent Peek, founder of Trusted PPE, commented: “In these challenging times, the health and wellbeing of our families and loved ones has never been more important. In recent weeks, we’ve been working hard to offer support to frontline workers and those most in need with essential PPE supplies.

“We’ve seen a spike in PPE cowboys out there providing inaccurate information to the public. At times we have been able to catch these companies out red-handed who are so blatantly selling illegitimate products at extortionate costs.”