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August 2009 to 9th December 2009
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Council Tax and winter fuel Scam
HANDBAG THEFTS FROM LOCAL SUPERMARKETS
Vacuum Cleaner Sales/ Roof Coatings/ Email Scams
Council Tax & wintert Fuel Scams 09/12/09
Lancashire residents are warned that they may receive a telephone call from someone claiming to be from The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) or The Local Council. Consumers are informed that they have been identified as being eligible for a rebate on their council tax and are asked for credit card or bank details so that an "admin fee" can be taken to process the refund or so the refund can be put into their account.These calls are bogus and residents should not provide any details to the caller.
Trading Standards have had reports of these calls being received in West Lancashire but believe residents throughout the county may be at risk. A spokesmen for VOA has confirmed that they would never ask for financial details.
If people have any questions about their council tax band they can go to the VOA website at www.voa.gov.uk for further details.
Please also be aware that there have been complaints from older residents about a caller who telephones to inform them that they are entitled to an extra amount on their Winter Fuel Payment or an extra Christmas Bonus.
The caller then asks for personal details such as date of birth claiming that they need to confirm they are talking to the right person. They then ask for bank account details.
These calls are not genuine and no official service would contact a customer and ask for bank details in this way
HANDBAG THEFTS FROM LOCAL SUPERMARKETS 20.11.09
Tuesday 17 th November, 2009, offenders have targeted older people whilst they are shopping in superstores in Lancaster and Carnforth, engaged the older person in conversation and stolen the victims handbag from the shopping trolley.
The offenders are described as; Eastern European male, height 6ft, medium build, dark hair aged 30 to 40 years, wearing a dark coloured leather look jacket. Female (1) Eastern European, medium to stocky build, approximately 30 to 40 years, wearing a long coat and long skirt. Female (2) Eastern European, slim build, approx 20 years, dark hair tied back in pony tail, wearing dark jeans, trainers and a dark coloured leather look bomber style jacket.
Older people are advised to be extra vigilant with their bags at this increasingly busy time in the shops and stores.
ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS OFFENCE SHOULD BE REPORTED DIRECTLY TO LANCASTER POLICE STATION 01524 63333.
A warning is being issued by Lancashire Police and Morecambe and Heysham Citizens Advice Bureau regarding hoax phone calls claiming to be from the Council Tax Department
The details may be different in each situation but the theme is the same.
In each case the caller claims to be phoning from ‘The Council' regarding a refund on your Council Tax.
The caller explains that your property has been re-banded to a lower band and you are therefore entitled to a refund.
The caller quotes the customers full address and phone number but they never mention or ask about any reference numbers.
The caller ask the customer for their card details (Long number on the front, the security code and the expiry date) in order that the refund can be returned to the correct bank account.
Once they have your card details and the security number on the back they can take as much money from your account as they want.
What you must do if you receive a phone call
• Do not engage in conversation
The council tax department would never phone regarding a refund of council tax. They would write to you first.
• Do not give them any personal details – not even your name
• Do not give them your credit/debit card details especially the security code
• Consider signing up to Telephone Preference Service on 0845 070 0707 or www.tpsonline.org.uk
Vacuum Cleaner Sales/ Roof Coatings/ Email Scams
17 November 2009
Residents throughout the county are asked to be aware of doorstep callers distibuting cards that relate to free entry into a draw to win a new car. The draw does seem to be legitimate (and takes place once a year) but consumers are asked to give their details,including a telephone number.Shortly after the initial visit,consumers receive a telephone call to say they have won a weekly draw and their prize is a free carpet cleaning demonstration. Reports from South Ribble and Poulton indicate the "demonstration" is in fact used as an opportunity to "hard sell" expensive vacuum cleaner systems to residents. Trading Standards advice is to be wary about giving out details on the doorstep and to think carefully before agreeing to let traders visit your home.
We are still receiving reports of various traders cold calling and offering to power-wash moss off roofs and then treat concrete tiles with a protective coating . Several questionable claims are made by the traders relating to the benefits of the treatment ,including increased insulation properties. Many of these traders leave consumers with substandard work after insisting on cash payments and do not provide proper details enabling consumers to contact them.
For those residents who have email accounts comes a warning to be on the look-out for emails informing you that you have won almost 1 million Euros on the Irish Sweepstake Lottery . The company involved claims to be based in Ireland and indicate that they are connected in some way with Irish Revenue and Customs. The emails encourage "winners" to send various processing and admin fees via Western Union in order to secure their prize. Needless to say, there is no lottery win and any money that is sent up front will be lost.
Consumers agreeing to deal with traders where the contract is agreed at the consumer's home should be aware that they will have a seven-day cooling off period to cancel any work agreed to, or any purchases made over £35, although in certain circumstances the customer may have to pay for any goods installed or work carried out so far. Also be aware that the contract will not be enforceable against the customer unless information about your right to cancel is given in writing.
We advise residents never to deal with cold-callers, to ensure you obtain full name, address and landline details from all workmen, and to double-check identification and references from other customers- do not assume credentials are genuine. Also ensure any price you are quoted is fair and genuine by obtaining estimates from other traders, and by ensuring the work agreed and the price to be charged is written down on a quotation before you agree to the work starting.
Please refer any complaints and further information to Lancashire Trading Standards Service, 55 Guildhall Street, Preston, Lancs via Consumer Direct tel 08454 040506. If there is any threat or fear of burglary contact the police at once
This message from NHWN has been circulated to All Force representatives on behalf of NHWN.
Dear All
You may be aware of a story which is doing the rounds this weekend regarding an attempted child abduction at a ASDA store in Leicester and in other areas
There are several versions of the story.
We have spoken to Asda Press Office this morning who have confirmed the incident is a hoax. Other stores across the country have also been mentioned, not just Leicester .
We have received several calls from the media to which we have confirmed the report is not genuine.
For your information below is what Asda has issued on their website.
====================================================
Don't be taken in by this urban myth about a child abduction
A completely false rumour about a child being abducted in an Asda supermarket has been spreading like wildfire on the internet and by text message in the past couple of days.
It's a hoax story that appears regularly in a variety of guises, both in the UK and in the US . The story is usually that a little girl is abducted from her family while they are shopping, then taken to the toilets, where her head is shaved so she can be smuggled out as a boy.
This urban myth has circulated for more than 10 years and sometimes rears its head. It's as untrue today as it's ever been.
It's clear from the number of calls we've received in the last 24 hours that it's doing the rounds again.
Here's the latest version some people have received as a text message or email:
“Dear All. This is a very serious message that I hope you can pass on to as many people as you can. Last night at the big Asda in Manchester a 3 year old girl went missing. Fortunately their policy when something like this happens is to lock the doors. The little girl was found in the toilets with 2 Romanian women. One shaving her head and the other dressing her in boys clothes. This come from an employee who was there last night. Please pass the message round to as many as you can and remain extra vigilant with your own children.”
So if you receive the message don't worry about it – have a Google around and you'll see plenty of examples of the same story in many different guises and different places.
26 August 2009
Residents are asked to be alert to a roofing company giving a Lytham address whose staff are cold calling and offering to carry out various jobs on roofs, including gutter cleaning, sealing and maintenance work, and signing customers up to five year maintenance contracts worth an average of £1500. There are concerns over the quality and value of the work, the legitimacy of some of this company's operations, their verbal claims to be linked to councils including Wyre bc, and the fact that older people are often targeted. Complainants come from all over West and Central Lancashire, with recent customers in Thornton-Cleveleys, Fleetwood and Chorley .
In addition, a company in a white van giving an 0800 number is currently offering to carry out work on tree cutting. This company is believed to be cold calling vulnerable consumers throughout the Leyland area. On one occasion a customer discussed work with them but said he did not wish to have the trees cut yet. On his return home he found that the work had already commenced, and asked them to stop. The company is now believed to be using heavy-handed tactics to claim money from this man.
Please also be aware of a computer company telephoning residents throughout the NW and claiming they are acting on behalf of “Windows”.
The calls are in fact from an Indian based company. They caller asks the consumer to switch the computer on and to confirm their name and address then claims the resident's computer has been infected by a virus. The company is attempting to persuade people to sign up to their services to remove the probably non-existent virus.
13/11/09
POLICE ADVICE
Jewellery owners urged to be cautious when selling gold
JEWELLERY owners are being urged to be cautious when selling unwanted gold as the cost of precious metal continues to rise.
Increasing prices mean there are now more opportunities to sell gold, including via the post and on the internet. While the majority of traders are legitimate, police and Trading Standards officers are urging jewellery owners to be vigilant when selling their gold.
Advice from Lancashire Police is, if you are tempted to maximise on the current price of gold, the best advice is to shop around to make sure that you are obtaining the best price. Current increases in the value of gold have lead to an increase in the number of thefts of gold jewellery – owners are also advised to take several simple steps to avoid becoming victims of crime.”
Keep a photographic record of items of sentimental or financial value. This is also important for antiques, paintings and property of high value
Items should be placed next to a ruler and on a non reflective surface and background. These photos will help when reporting an incident and should be kept in a safe place
Keep receipts or valuations of jewellery and a comprehensive record of your precious items
Be aware that usual property marking techniques such as ultra-violet marking or etching an item may detract from the value of the property.
Finally, do not engage with doorstep traders who are offering to purchase gold, antiques or other jewellery.
IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY, CONTACT THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY
LANCASTER POLICE STATION 63333
IN EMERGENCY 999
CRIME STOPPERS 0800 555 111
10 November 2009
26/09/09
A warning is being issued by Lancashire Police and Morecambe and Heysham Citizens Advice Bureau regarding hoax phone calls claiming to be from BT
A number of local residents have notified the CAB and the Police about scam phone calls. The details may be different in each case but the theme is the same.
In each case the caller claims to be phoning from ‘BT Technical Services' and gives you a 0800 number so that you can check the information later.
The caller claims you are in arrears with your account and he needs immediate payment by card over the phone otherwise he will disconnect the line.
When challenged he will convince you he can and will disconnect your phone line. He will ask you to put the phone down and try and dial out. When you do you will get no dialling tone. The cutting off of the line is very simple; he stays on the line with the mute button on. As soon as you put the phone down he will then phone you back.
The sums of money demanded are not huge amounts but it is worth remembering that once they have your card details and the security number on the back they can take as much money from your account as they want.
Some of these calls have been menacing and prolonged, lasting as long as one hour.
What you must do if you receive a phone call
• Do not engage in conversation
(BT would never harass for immediate payment over the phone – they will write to you or send a bill)
• Do not give them any personal details – not even your name
• Do not give them your credit/debit card details especially the security code
• Consider signing up to Telephone Preference Service on 0845 070 0707 or www.tpsonline.org.uk
26 August 2009
Residents are asked to be alert to a roofing company giving a Lytham address whose staff are cold calling and offering to carry out various jobs on roofs, including gutter cleaning, sealing and maintenance work, and signing customers up to five year maintenance contracts worth an average of £1500. There are concerns over the quality and value of the work, the legitimacy of some of this company's operations, their verbal claims to be linked to councils including Wyre bc, and the fact that older people are often targeted. Complainants come from all over West and Central Lancashire, with recent customers in Thornton-Cleveleys, Fleetwood and Chorley .
In addition, a company in a white van giving an 0800 number is currently offering to carry out work on tree cutting. This company is believed to be cold calling vulnerable consumers throughout the Leyland area. On one occasion a customer discussed work with them but said he did not wish to have the trees cut yet. On his return home he found that the work had already commenced, and asked them to stop. The company is now believed to be using heavy-handed tactics to claim money from this man.
Please also be aware of a computer company telephoning residents throughout the NW and claiming they are acting on behalf of “Windows”.
The calls are in fact from an Indian based company. They caller asks the consumer to switch the computer on and to confirm their name and address then claims the resident's computer has been infected by a virus. The company is attempting to persuade people to sign up to their services to remove the probably non-existent virus.
Doorstep Alert
18 August 2009
Residents are asked to be alert to an unnamed man offering to clean driveways who is believed to be cold calling vulnerable consumers throughout the Accrington area.
In one incident, an address on Southwood Drive , Accrington was targeted by an abusive man who used strong language when asked to leave by the householder. The man ignored the 'No Cold Calling' stickers and knocked anyway.
Although so far we have only received complaints from consumers who have refused to deal with this man, householders should be aware that if they deal with doorstep callers they may pay more than agreed for poor work, and may find it difficult to contact the traders afterwards if there are any problems with the work carried out.
3 August 2009
Please be aware that Poulton-le-Fylde is currently being targeted by paving companies cold calling, allegedly not giving cancellation rights (a criminal offence), and carrying out substandard work. On one occasion seven men with Irish accents in a silver van bearing a mobile number and an 0800 number on the side, damaged the drains of an older recently bereaved resident, cut through a cable, left the driveway in such a state that it will have to be re-done, and tried to charge £3000 for the work. On a second occasion a team led by a man called Patrick driving a Mitsubishi carried out a poor paving job, and became aggressive towards the vulnerable consumer when challenged about his practices, attempting to enter the house. It is the third similar complaint received by Trading Standards in two days and it is not yet known if the matters are linked.
Meanwhile, residents in Langho are asked to watch out for a company believed to be cold calling in the area and selling mobility aids such as scooters, stairlifts and bath aids. Recent reports suggest that the unnamed company is refraining from giving contact details and using hard sell tactics on older consumers.
Please note that looking for properties to rent over the internet may have its pitfalls- recent complaints from the Preston area indicate tenants are dealing with individuals claiming to be landlords looking to rent out properties, but to be currently working abroad and unable to fly back. The 'landlord' states that he requires some proof of good intention. Once in receipt of a deposit moneygram, he is untraceable and has no connection with the offered property. Mr Parry is one name used but that will probably change each time.
Also be aware that householders in the Lancaster area have recently received a variant on the old 'unclaimed fortune' scam where a bank offers to share the unclaimed estate of an individual who has died intestate, splitting the money between the bank and an individual with the same surname, and eventually ends taking various registration, administration, and release fees for the non-existent money. The latest letters claim to be from Lee Yu Yang of the HuaXia Bank in Hong Kong .
The latest Euromillion Lottery letter scam has been reported from the Poulton area, where residents are receiving heavily personalised letters promising untold riches. The company quotes a Oxford Street , London W1D1LY address on its letters in order to create an air of respectability. Meanwhile the similar Spanish Euromillions Lottery of Madrid is targeting the Burnley , Pendle and Morecambe areas with letters.
3 August 2009
Companies need to be alert to the fact that DPA Registrations (Data Protection Act Registrations), giving a PO Box address in Blackpool, has been sending notifications to companies throughout Lancashire requesting a fee for assistance in registering their business with the Information Commissioner. The DPAR is not an official agency and businesses are under no obligation to register with this company. Although it is a legal requirement for most organisations processing personal data to register with the Information Commissioners Office, this is easily done by calling or emailing to request a registration form, and costs only £35 for a business to register itself. More information is available on www.ico.gov.uk or by contacting the ICO on 01625 545740 or notification@ico.gsi.gov.uk.
Consumers agreeing to deal with traders where the contract is agreed at the consumer's home should be aware that they will have a seven-day cooling off period to cancel any work agreed to, or any purchases made over £35, although in certain circumstances the customer may have to pay for any goods installed or work carried out so far. Also be aware that the contract will not be enforceable against the customer unless information about your right to cancel is given in writing.
We advise residents never to deal with cold-callers, to ensure you obtain full name, address and landline details from all workmen, and to double-check identification and references from other customers- do not assume credentials are genuine. Also ensure any price you are quoted is fair and genuine by obtaining estimates from other traders, and by ensuring the work agreed and the price to be charged is written down on a quotation before you agree to the work starting.