Read about the latest alerts on scams, rip-off's and rogue traders.
Email alerts issued Friday 4th July 2008
Scare Tactic Phishing Scam Targets Natwest
Countywide
Beware of emails that falsely claim to come from the Natwest Bank which state that:
'Unfortunately we now need to give you final notice that, 3 days from today's date - at the close of business day on 25 June 2008 - your account with us will be closed and our contact with you ended if you do not provide us all the details we asked for. For your account to not be deactivated or closed we need you to:
- verify the accuracy of your personal data immediately
To do this, you are asked to follow the link below:
Otherwise, these measures should be taken:
- your account will be closed or suspended indefinitely and you'll not be able to open another account with our bank or any bank affiliated to us for 2 years.
- is therefore important that you repay what you owe us in full before the closure date, and make alternative arrangements for your banking straightaway.
This is a scam which uses scare tactics to steal your personal and financial information. Never respond to these emails or click on the links within them.
More on Phishing scams
Tax Refund Scam
Countryside
Beware of emails the falsely purport to be from HM Revenue and Customs offering tax refunds:
After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of 188.50 GBP.
Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process it.
Those that respond face having their personal or financial information stole, or will be asked for payment in advance to secure the transfer of the 'rebate'.
More on 419 or advance fee fraud
Door to Door Solar Energy
North Warwickshire
A vulnerable consumer was cold called and subsequently signed a contract for solar heating, paying a £2150 deposit. She wanted to cancel but had not been given any cancellation rights which companies are legally obliged to provide in these circumstances. She visited her One Stop Shop for advice who then contacted Warwickshire Trading Standards. The Service was able to have the contract cancelled and the deposit returned in full.
Cold callers must provide cancellation rights - it is a criminal offence not do so.
Loan Letter
South Warwickshire
A householder contacted the service having received a letter concerning a £200.00 loan application. The letter stated that the loan application had been confirmed and that the recipient had only to send off a cheque for £49.50 as a set up fee and the money would be paid.
However the letter was sent unsolicited, and the recipient had never made any sort of application! Trading Standards are investigating.
Email alerts issued Wednesday 23rd April 2008
Power Supply Cold Calling
Kenilworth
Residents are warned to beware of energy companies cold calling often elderly residents trying to get them to change their gas supplier. The callers claimed their companies were 'taking over' from British Gas and that other people in the street were also changing. This is a typical example of high pressure sales and misleading claims. No companies are 'taking over' from British Gas. It is up to individual residents to choose if they wish to change their energy supplier or not. Such decisions should only be made when the resident has had time to weigh up the options offered by a number of different companies.
For independent advice visit: Energywatch
Lotto Scam
Clarendon
A member of the Clarendon NHW Group has received by post a letter informing her that she has won a lottery prize.The letter refers to International Lotto Commission, Loteria Primitiva in Madrid. The letter asks for bank details and a signature. Such letters are scams and under no circumstances should recipients respond.
For more information visit our lottery scams page
Travel Company Offer
Nuneaton
A Nuneaton resident has reported receiving a telephone call from a travel company telling them they had 'won' £600 off the cost of a holiday and trying to make an appointment to collect it. Despite the householder say he was not interested, (he had not entered any competitions) the company were persistent and refuse to provide their address or a telephone number.
Trading Standards are warning that those who agree to collect their 'prize' will probably be exposed to high pressure selling of either timeshare or holiday clubs.
For more information visit our timeshare and holiday club pages
Debt Solutions
Rugby
A Rugby resident contacted the service after receiving an automated phone message which said that if he had any debts they could offer a 'seemingly unbelievable solution'. They referred to an alleged Government initiative which they claimed allowed them to deal with anybody with debts of over £5000 and get all the interest cancelled. The recipient was then encourage to press 5 for more information. They did not, but checked the callers number. This turned out to be an international number, possible from the USA.
Receipts of such calls should be extremely wary of contacting the caller and are advised that if they require debt advice, there are a number of UK based organisations which offer free and impartial advice, for example the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Warwickshire Trading Standards Service Online Community
In addition to individual visitors to this site, organisations and bodies might find these pages of information on scams, rip-offs, and rogue traders useful, for example Neighbourhood Watch, Town and Parish Councils, Residents Associations, Citizens Advice Bureaus, and others. Organisations that have a website are welcome to link their sites to these pages
This information is also published in a consumer email alert that is already sent out to many organisations across Warwickshire. If you would like your council or organisation to be added to this e-mailing list please contact Simon Cripwell on 01926 414039 with your contact details (we require your council or organisation's name and email address). |