Trading Standards Update - 08/12/2011

08/12/2011
Tile Scam Kenilworth
A Cubbington householder reported to Warwickshire Trading Standards that he had received an unexpected call from an as yet unknown individual who claimed that he was the manufacturer of the householder's roof tiles. He stated that the roof tiles were defective and need replacing. The householder was immediately suspicious as he could see no problem with his roof tiles.

This was probably an unscrupulous approach by a rogue builder wanting to either to re-tile the householder's roof, apply some sort of bogus treatment to the roof or get access to the roof to convince the owner that there were further problems that needed 'fixing'.

08/12/2011
Bogus Caller Rugby
Warwickshire Trading Standards Service are warning people to beware of phone calls from people falsely claiming to work for Age UK. The callers, who target elderly people, offer to set up 'trust funds' which they claim would stop the older person having to sell their home to pay for care costs. The initial contact is usually by phone followed by a home visit.

08/12/2011
Bogus Safety Magazines
Warwickshire Trading Standards are warning schools, businesses and other organisations about a number of new approaches by bogus publication companies who trick businesses and others in to agreeing to advertise in their publications. These magazines, which usually purport to be safety related have little or no circulation and are essentially worthless to the advertiser. However, the bogus publishers charge hundreds and in some cases thousands of pounds for advertising space in them.

The bogus publishers usually cold call the organisations they target and often falsely claim to represent the Police or Fire and Rescue Service. They then ask the business, organisation or school if they want to advertise 'again' (even if they have never advertised before) or 'support' the publication. They hope that some people will be tricked in to thinking this is a regular event or that they will be supporting a worthwhile cause. Some rogues go as far sending the business a copy of an advert the latter had already placed in a genuine publication along with an invoice. They hope the recipient will confuse the request for payment with a genuine request for advertising payment.

For more information on all scams, visit our website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/scams

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Simon Cripwell
Senior Information Officer
Trading Standards Service
Communities
Warwickshire County Council
tel. 01926 414039
mob. 07771 975570
email. simoncripwell@warwickshire.gov.uk
web. www.warwickshire.gov.uk