Sunday 23 December 2012

Thursday 20 December 2012

Beware - In the village now

Please be aware that there are sales-people in the village claiming to have the blessing of the council to promote their particular brand of burglar alarm. They claim to be in Dog Lane and Church Street today but no doubt will be covering the whole village in due course.

If you can elicit any more information such as company name or vehicle registration number and description we can hand this to the police and trading standards.

Do NOT sign up to anything on the doorstep. From experience the up front cost of these systems are minimal but the ongoing maintenance charges can be quite eye watering.

If you do feel that you need a burglar alarm the please start by talking to the police crime prevention team.

Neighbourhood Watch have a selection of items to deter burglars. MORE


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Since the original post I have had feedback from Warwickshire Trading Standards who have issued an advice on such calls. MORE

Wednesday 19 December 2012

Male acting suspiciously in Mill Lane


There have been a number of incidents of a middle-aged male entering a particular garden in Mill Lane. The last occasion was last Thursday at about 1:00pm but this has apparently been happening for a few months now. The person concerned ignores the householder when challenged and disappears to the side of the property, possibly into the field behind.

Please be vigilant and if you can add any detail please contact the police on 101 or southam.snt@warwickshire.police.uk and copy to watch@fcvh.org.uk

Thank you

Everyday could be Christmas Day for the Scammer - Don't get caught out


19/12/2012 Scrap Car Scam Warning
Consumers wanting to scrap their cars are warned not to allow them to fall in to the hands of unscrupulous scrap dealers Warwickshire Trading Standards Service is warning.
Consumers are allowing their vehicles to be taken by scrap merchants without the proper paperwork being completed, and then not receiving the money they were promised.

Many of these ‘dodgy’ scrap dealers advertise on the Internet and some are using false names and addresses.

Having handed over their car, the owners then find out later that their vehicles are not scrapped at all, but are instead ‘repaired’ and sold on or used by criminals. And all the time, the original owner continues to be responsible for the vehicle!

Consumers have not only complained about not being paid for their cars but have also reported receiving penalties for vehicles they thought were no longer their responsibility. These include motoring offence fines and penalty points, parking fines or DVLA fines for not having a properly insured or taxed vehicle.

Warwickshire Trading Standards has received a number of reports recently about this scam. Here is advice on what you should do if you want to scrap your car: https://www.gov.uk/scrapped-and-written-off-vehicles/overview

19/12/2012 Euro Lottery Scam

Consumers have reported receiving more Euro Lottery scam letters, Warwickshire Trading Standards has reported. The latest claims that the ‘winner’ must pay 10% of his prize to a company that bought the ticket on his behalf! The letter's recipient is asked to provide their bank details to send this 10% and receive their non-existent prize.

Never respond to these scams and bin them! Find out more about ‘prize winner’ scams: http://tinyurl.com/cxlbb75
Please feel free to cascade this information to whomever you feel appropriate (including using the information in your newsletters/websites etc.). 

If you have any information you wish to provide to Warwickshire Trading Standards Service, either for our information, or to appear in future email alerts, please email me.

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

Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/warkstss

Simon Cripwell
Trading Standards Officer
Warwickshire Trading Standards Service
Communities
Warwickshire County Council
Old Budbrooke Road Warwick CV35 7DP
tel. 01926 414039
mob. 07771 975570
My normal working days are Monday to Thursday

Thursday 13 December 2012

SNT Newsletter

SOUTHAM 

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS
DRIVE DRINK FREE THIS CHRISTMAS
STALKING BECOMES A CRIMINAL OFFENCE
POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER
+MORE

Monday 10 December 2012

Southam/Feldon Community Forum - Wed 12th December


LINK POSTER
LINK AGENDA

Christmas Scams


10/12/2012 Amazon Scam Warning

Warwickshire Trading Standards is warning consumers about a scam Amazon ‘phishing’ email. With so many people shopping online this Christmas, officers are concerned that consumers may not spot these bogus emails.

The email, which is sent by fraudsters pretending to Amazon, asks recipients to click on a link to verify their Amazon account details. Recipients who do, risk losing personal and financial information.

Bogus phishing emails are sent by criminals masquerading as banks, social media websites and online shops. Never respond to such emails or click on any links they may contain. Always delete them.


10/12/2012 Be a Savvy Christmas and New Year Sales Shopper

Make sure you know your consumer rights when buying in the High Street and from home. Follow our ten top tips: http://news.warwickshire.gov.uk/blog/2012/12/10/be-a-christmas-and-new-year-savvy-shopper/or http://tinyurl.com/d9xapu6

More consumer tips will be posted on our Twitter in the run up to Christmas and in to the New Year. Why not follow us at: www.twitter.com/warkstss

Please feel free to cascade this information to whom-ever you feel appropriate (including using the information in your newsletters/websites etc.). 

To receive email alerts direct to your inbox, email:

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

Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/warkstss
Simon Cripwell
Trading Standards Officer
Warwickshire Trading Standards Service
Communities
Warwickshire County Council
Old Budbrooke Road Warwick CV35 7DP
tel. 01926 414039
mob. 07771 975570
My normal working days are Monday to Thursday

Sunday 9 December 2012

SNT Update

WELLESBOURNE

Cash Machine Crime Prevention Advice
Drive Drink free this Christmas
MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE BURGLAR
Police stop 75 vehicles & seize £140k counterfeit goods in joint operation
+ more

Thursday 6 December 2012

Scam Report 06/12/2012


06/12/2012 Debt Management Warning
People suffering with debt problems should beware of cold calls from unscrupulous debt management firms Warwickshire Trading Standards are warning. The Service has received complaints from consumers who were charged high up-front fees, but their debts were not adequately managed or resolved. These companies can be persistent and target people in financial need. Consumers in debt should seek independent advice, visit: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/familyfinancialhelp

06/12/2012 Need Computer Help? Don’t Be Misled!
Warwickshire Trading Standards has received a number of complaints from consumers who thought they were speaking to a BT helpline but were actually talking to a rogue business intent on charging them for doing little or no work or adding unnecessary and potentially dangerous software to their computers.

If you are experiencing problems with your PC and contact your Internet service provider or another organisation for help and advice, ensure that when they return your call you are still speaking to that company and not a rogue business (often falsely claiming to be Microsoft).

06/12/2012 Petrol Scam
A consumer reported to Warwickshire Trading Standards being flagged down by a driver who claimed he had run out of petrol and had no money to buy any more. The consumer was asked (and gave over) £10 in return for a ring which the driver said he could hold on to as a ‘deposit'.

The driver took the consumer’s phone number and told him he would phone him to arrange the return of the ring and payment of the £10. The driver then took off, leaving the consumer no contact details. The consumer reported he had not heard from the driver since but still had the (probably worthless) ring!

Please feel free to cascade this information to whomever you feel appropriate (including using the information in your newsletters/websites etc.).

If you have any information you wish to provide to Warwickshire Trading Standards Service, either for our information, or to appear in future email alerts, please email me.
 
For more information on scams, visit: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/scams

Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/warkstss


Simon Cripwell
Trading Standards Officer
Warwickshire Trading Standards Service
Communities
Warwickshire County Council
Old Budbrooke Road Warwick CV35 7DP
tel. 01926 414039
mob. 07771 975570
My normal working days are Monday to Thursday

Friday 30 November 2012

Travellers visiting Fenny Compton

Friday 1415
Report received of female, presumably a traveller, knocking doors and working her way through the village from the east.
Any more information would be appreciated watch@fcvh.org.uk


Wednesday 28 November 2012

Trading Standards Update 27/11/2012


Warwickshire Consumer Empowerment Partnership Countywide launch. For more information visit:
 
 
27/11/2012 Fraudulent Credit Brokers

Warwickshire Trading Standards are warning consumers looking for loans to beware of cold calls from bogus loan companies offering to arrange loans for a fee. One consumer was contacted by phone and offered a £3000 loan if he agreed to pay £110 first. He paid and was then asked to send a further £280 by Western Union transfer. The consumer paid again, a total of £390, but the loan was not forthcoming and the trader disappeared.

Never respond to unsolicited texts or phone calls offering loans.

27/11/2012 Bogus Benefits Claims

Consumers, warn Warwickshire Trading Standards, should not respond to international callers claiming they are owed £1000 in benefits. Such calls are advanced fee frauds where the caller will try and steal money or personal or financial information in return for providing the non-existent ‘benefits’.

27/11/2012 Scam computer ‘fix’ companies

Warwickshire Trading Standards are again warning consumers not to engage with bogus businesses who claim your computer is broken and needs repairing.

Consumers should never allow anyone they don’t know or trust to take remote access of their PC. Some consumers have reported receiving eight calls a today from such fraudulent companies.
 
Please feel free to cascade this information to whom-ever you feel appropriate (including using the information in your newsletters/websites etc.). 

To receive email alerts direct to your inbox, email:

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

Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/warkstss

Simon Cripwell
Trading Standards Officer
Warwickshire Trading Standards Service
Communities
Warwickshire County Council
Old Budbrooke Road Warwick CV35 7DP
tel. 01926 414039
mob. 07771 975570
My normal working days are Monday to Thursday

Saturday 24 November 2012

Please report it........


The SNT would like to make you aware that the theft of heating fuel and diesel from plant vehicles is on the rise. We understand that it is so expensive to replace and you may feel it is not worth reporting the crime as it is hard to trace offender/s.

We would like to encourage you all to report it, regardless how minor you may think it might be. It will also allow us to build up a bigger picture of the types of issues we are having in the area and if the team doesn't know, then we can't help.

You can report any crimes on the non emergency number, 101.

Thank you. 
SOUTHAM SNT
Call us on: 01926 684984 or email us

Tuesday 20 November 2012

Trading Standards Update 20/11/2012


20/11/2012 Aggressive Caller

A Leamington Spa business has received an unexpected aggressive phone call. The phone call was reported to Warwickshire Trading Standards.

The caller asked the trader who his gas supplier was and the trader told the caller he was a business. The caller then told that trader that because he was being ‘uncooperative’ his electricity and gas would be cut off within 24hrs and he would have to pay £100 to have it reconnected. The trader checked with his supplier who confirmed it was a scam, probably designed to get him to agree to change his energy supplier.

20/11/2012 Suspected loan shark arrested following operation in Stratford- upon- Avon.

A 55 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of illegal money lending, following an operation in Stratford-upon-Avon yesterday morning.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team, working in partnership with Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards executed a warrant at a residential property seizing cash.

Please feel free to cascade this information to whomever you feel appropriate (including using the information in your newsletters/websites etc.). If you have any information you wish to provide to Warwickshire Trading Standards Service, either for our information, or to appear in future email alerts, please email me.

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

Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/warkstss
 
 
Simon Cripwell
Trading Standards Officer
Warwickshire Trading Standards Service
Communities
Warwickshire County Council
Old Budbrooke Road Warwick CV35 7DP
tel. 01926 414039
mob. 07771 975570
My normal working days are Monday to Thursday

Monday 19 November 2012

NHW SA Incidents in Bishops Itchington and Fenny Compton


Incident 115 of 5 November
Between 27 October and 3 November offenders entered a home in Hambridge Road, Bishops Itchington via the rear patio doors.  Once inside, the offenders stole cash from a television money box.

Incident 69 of 9 November
During the night of 8 into 9 November offenders stole the registration plates fron a vehicle parked in Cotters Croft, Fenny Compton.

Incident 77 of 9 November
During the same night, offenders attempted to force the numberplates off a vehicle parked outside another home in Cotters Croft.  The offenders snapped the numberplate and left it hanging.

Incident 94 of 9 November
Again on the same night offenders stole both numberplates from a vehicle parked outside a home in Church Street, Fenny Compton.

Incident 168 of 9 November
Again on the same night offenders attempted to remove the front numberplate from a vehicle parked outside a cottage in Dog Lane, Fenny Compton.  The plate broke and the offender made off.

Please remain alert, on the lookout for suspicious persons, vehicles or activity around your own or neighbouring homes and please report anything of concern to Police on 101.  Thankyou.

Julie Dale
Watch Co-ordinator
Community Protection

Saturday 17 November 2012

Trading Standards Update - Cold Calling – Don’t Buy It!


12/11/12: Cold Calling – Don’t Buy It!

In National Consumer Week 2012, Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service is urging people to stay safe in their own homes by saying a firm “NO” to cold calling doorstep traders.

Today (12 November) marks the beginning of the Trading Standards Institute’s (TSI) annual National Consumer Week

BBC presenter Gloria Hunniford and consumer minister Jo Swinson MP are launching the national campaign with the message ‘cold calling – don’t buy it!’


12/11/12 Warwickshire mobile phone fraudsters jailed

Four men who ran a mobile phone insurance fraud from premises in Warwickshire (Rugby) and Solihull have been imprisoned, Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service are pleased to announce.

The sentencing followed a lengthy investigation by the Central England Trading Standards Scambuster Team in relation to the sale of fraudulent mobile phone insurance policies being sold by Midland Communication Solutions Ltd trading under the name Mitele.

The prosecution was supported by Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service, a Central England Trading Standards Authority.

In fact the prosecution proved that the 'mobile phone insurance policies' were, in effect, worthless pieces of paper which gave the consumers who purchased them no cover at all. The documents that were sent out contained the name 'Equity Red Star', which is the name of a genuine insurance company but whose name was being abused by the defendants and their company as they had no connection with, or authority to use, the Equity Red Star name.

The court heard how the company set up two call centres in 2008, one in Rugby and one in Tipton, as well as claiming to have a head office in Birmingham city centre. In fact, the 'head office' was no more than a serviced office instructed to forward post to the Rugby office. From their Rugby and Tipton offices sales staff were provided with lists of consumers to cold call on the phone and to sell the policies to. Sales staff were paid bonuses for every policy sold.

Complaints first started to come through because consumers noticed that the full amounts were being deducted from their accounts instead of the monthly payments as had been agreed. Other consumers complained after having multiple payments deducted from their accounts, and some consumers even reported having payments taken even though they had not taken out a policy with, or even any knowledge of, Midland Communication Solutions Ltd or its trading name, Mitele.
 
Please feel free to cascade this information to whomever you feel appropriate (including using the information in your newsletters/websites etc.). If you have any information you wish to provide to Warwickshire Trading Standards Service, either for our information, or to appear in future email alerts, please email me.
 For more information on scams, visit: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/scams

Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/warkstss
 
Simon Cripwell
Trading Standards Officer
Warwickshire Trading Standards Service
Communities
Warwickshire County Council
Old Budbrooke Road Warwick CV35 7DP
tel. 01926 414039
mob. 07771 975570
My normal working days are Monday to Thursday

Friday 16 November 2012

Trading Standards Update 14/11/2012


14/11/2012 Suspicious Doorstep Caller – Ryton

Warwickshire Trading Standards Service has been alerted to three male doorstep callers acting suspiciously in the Ryton area.

Reports suggest that two individuals have been door knocking whilst a third conceals himself and watches. It is unclear whether or not they are attempting to sell something or if this is an attempted distraction burglary.

Trading Standards advise householders not to buy at the door from unexpected callers. It is best not to open your door at all but if you choose to do so, always put the security chain on and never allow unexpected callers in to your home.

Please feel free to cascade this information to whomever you feel appropriate (including using the information in your newsletters/websites etc.). If you have any information you wish to provide to Warwickshire Trading Standards Service, either for our information, or to appear in future email alerts, please email me.

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

Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/warkstss

Simon Cripwell
Trading Standards Officer
Warwickshire Trading Standards Service
Communities
Warwickshire County Council
Old Budbrooke Road Warwick CV35 7DP
tel. 01926 414039
mob. 07771 975570
My normal working days are Monday to Thursday

Monday 12 November 2012

Never turn your back!

Watch distraction theft in action

Friday 9 November 2012

Number Plate Theft


There were at least 3 incidents of number plate theft last night in Fenny. 


From the example I have seen it was a very quick job and they didn't even bother to remove the screws thus leaving parts of the plate behind.

It would appear that the only way to defeat this kind of theft is to have plates fully bonded or to fit the self destruct variety. MORE

If you are a victim report it to the police (101) and the DVLA immediately and DO NOT drive your vehicle until the plates have been replaced.

It appears that personalised plates are more at risk probably because they can be fitted to any age of vehicle without causing suspicion.

Plates do not necessarily need to be stolen for others to use your vehicles identity. 

CLONING ADVICE - What to do if your vehicle has been cloned

If you are being contacted about fines or charges for which you are not responsible because someone else is using the vehicle registration number, it is possible that your vehicle has been cloned.

Cloning involves the copying of the identity of a similar (non-stolen) vehicle already on the road. Criminals find an exact match of the car they have stolen, they then copy the identity of the legitimate vehicle, therefore making it look legal based on false or stolen number plates being fitted.

If you suspect your vehicle has been cloned, the following points will help you avoid becoming a victim of further crime.

What you need to do:

  • Contact the police, it is a matter for them to trace and prosecute the culprit to prevent this illegal activity from continuing.
  • Return any fines or correspondence to the issuing authorities providing them with any documentary evidence you have to prove your case. 
  • Write to us at DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1ZA or fax us on 01792 783083 quoting your crime reference number (if you have one) – we will record your correspondence on the vehicle record for future reference.




Safer Neighbourhood Update

WELLESBOURNE
Wellesbourne SNT Team
Theft from motor vehicle
Winter driving - Advice 

Thursday 8 November 2012

Police and Crime Commissioners

The Home Office has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of police and crime commissioners and the upcoming elections on the 15th November.
 
Members of the public are encouraged to visit www.choosemypcc.org.uk where candidate information is available. 
 
A briefing pack includes all the details of the campaign and all of the campaign assets are available to view, download and use from the Home Office website. 
 
Information about police and crime commissioners is available on the Home Office website

If you have further questions about please email pccfactchecker@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Thursday 1 November 2012

Fenny Compton - Cars broken into last night


Last night 31/01 between the hours of 2100 and 0700 two vehicles were entered by breaking the glass in the door windows. A number of items were removed from one vehicle.

Were there any other incidents in the village last night? Was anyone seen acting suspiciously?

Please note and report anything untoward on 101.

Doorstep selling

Monday 29 October 2012

Save on Oil


WRCC launches new Community Oil Syndicate - great savings for buyers of domestic heating oil

Warwickshire Rural Community Council is delighted to announce the launch of a new venture that will be good for individuals, rural communities and the environment.

The Warwickshire Community Oil Syndicate will use the model of a local buying syndicate for domestic heating oil but will roll it out across the whole county. Warwickshire Rural Community Council (WRCC) believes there will be great strength in harnessing the purchasing power of the many rural communities who are without mains gas so that together oil-buyers will be able to make significant savings. 
Rural Warwickshire

Householders, community organisations and businesses will be able to join the oil syndicate and benefit from cheaper oil.  The oil syndicate brings together orders from across the county which are then added to other counties who operate similar buying groups to get the very best price, with an average saving per order of more than £50.

WRCC is keen to emphasise the environmental benefits too. Delivery tankers guzzle a lot of fuel and the more deliveries they can make in one place the less fuel they use, and the fewer tankers there are on Warwickshire’s small country roads the better.

As a charity that is rooted in local community action, WRCC wants the new venture to reflect this philosophy. Chief Executive, Kim Slater, says “The key to making this work will be having local people who will collate the local oil orders once a month and pass the information to us; and who will then let the local members know the cost per litre and the delivery date. That’s pretty much it. For undertaking this voluntary role they will get free membership of the oil syndicate – an annual saving of £20. Members of the Warwickshire Community Oil Syndicate will be able to order as many times as they like during the year and the price will be negotiated centrally.”

If you think this could be of interest to you or your community get in touch with WRCC on  01789 472611 or email oil@wrccrural.org.uk.

Saturday 27 October 2012

From Your Safer Neighbourhood Teams


SOUTHAM
HALLOWEEN ADVICE
CAR KEY ADVICE
SOUTHAM AND FELDON COMMUNITY FORUM PRIORITY - SPEEDING CHECKS

WELLESBOURNE
VERY SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES
POLICE OFFER ADVICE TO GHOSTS, WITCHES AND GHOULS THIS HALLOWEEN
WARWICKSHIRE POLICE OFFER CRIME PREVENTION ADVICE FOR CHRISTMAS.

Friday 26 October 2012

Scamz-4-U


24/10/2012 Door to Door Bed Seller Warning: North Leamington

 A North Leamington resident reported to Warwickshire Trading Standards Service yesterday that he was approached on the doorstep by someone who claimed to be delivering beds to a house nearby, but ‘could not find the address’!

The trader then asked the householder if he wanted to buy any beds or mattresses. The caller was driving a plain white van.

Mattresses should meet UK fire safety standards, but it has been the practise of some unscrupulous traders to sell cheap imported mattresses that do not meet these regulations, door to door.

Consumers are advised to buy their products from reputable sellers to whom they can return the goods if there is a problem.

For more information on door to door sellers visit: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/scams

24/102012 Your Bank Account Has Been Compromised! Warning

Consumers should beware of unexpected phone calls from people claiming to be calling from your bank warn Warwickshire Trading Standards.

Bogus callers will claim that your bank card has been used fraudulently and may ask you to key in your PIN number as part of a bogus security check.

NEVER REVEAL YOUR PIN NUMBER OR YOUR CARD’S SECURITY NUMBER.

Fraudsters are also asking weary (sic) consumers to phone the bank back to ‘prove’ they are genuine.

Should a consumer do this the fraudster simply stays on the phone line, keeping it open. If the consumer does not realise, they end up talking to the fraudster again but think they are speaking to a genuine bank official.

The fraudster is then able to obtain other personal or financial information because the consumer is convinced they are speaking to a genuine member of bank staff.

Some fraudsters even play dialling tone sounds down the phone to convince the consumer they are phoning for real!

Consumers in this situation should either phone back much later (a fraudster is unlikely to stay on the line for a long time) or phone their bank using a different phone.

If you have any information you wish to provide to Warwickshire Trading Standards Service, either for our information, or to appear in future email alerts, please email me.

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

Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/warkstss

Simon Cripwell
Trading Standards Officer
Trading Standards Service
Communities
Warwickshire County Council
tel. 01926 414039
mob. 07771 975570
email. simoncripwell@warwickshire.gov.uk
web. www.warwickshire.gov.uk
My normal working days are Monday to Thursday

Thursday 25 October 2012

Beware of a Penalty Charge Notice by Email


25/10/2012 Bogus Penalty Charge Notice Email

Drivers are warned to beware of bogus penalty charge notice emails which have been sent to thousands of email addresses. The notices, which are crude phishing emails, attempt to get the recipient pay a bogus parking fine by following a link in the email. Those who do risk losing their money and compromising their credit/debit card details.

The email mentions the Penalty Charge Notice website. There is more information here: www.penaltychargenotice.co.uk/phishing-email-scams/

Warwickshire Trading Standards advises consumers not to open phishing emails and to delete them.

For more information on phishing emails visit: http://tinyurl.com/94zko73

Please feel free to cascade this information to whomever you feel appropriate (including using the information in your newsletters/websites etc.). Please ignore any Restricted Notices on the bottom of this page - this is automatically generated but is not meant to apply to the information in this email.

If you have any information you wish to provide to Warwickshire Trading Standards Service, either for our information, or to appear in future email alerts, please email me.

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

Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/warkstss

Simon Cripwell
Trading Standards Officer
Trading Standards Service
Communities
Warwickshire County Council
tel. 01926 414039
mob. 07771 975570
email. simoncripwell@warwickshire.gov.uk
web. www.warwickshire.gov.uk
My normal working days are Monday to Thursday