14/03/2012 Bogus Electricity Caller - South Warwickshire
Warwickshire Trading Standards received a complaint from a consumer who had received a phone call from someone claiming to represent her electricity company. The caller asked the resident to pay £200 up front and in return she would get 40% of her electricity bill. The trader did not give any company details and did not know the consumer paid her bill by direct debit.
Consumers must not provide any personal or financial information to cold callers - put the phone down.
14/03/2012 Oil Painting - Rugby
A Rugby resident reported to Warwickshire Trading Standards that she had been door knocked by an individual selling a 'one off' oil painting. This scam has been running internationally for some years. The sellers often falsely claim they are selling the paintings to support their or their friends University tuition. Despite costs quoted of £100+ in actual fact the paintings are really very poor quality mass produced products, making them virtually worthless, despite the price tag!
14/03/2012 Business Rates - Alcester
A trader recently contacted Warwickshire Trading Standards after receiving a telephone call and subsequent visit from an individual who claimed to be able to organise the re-evaluation of his business rates. The trader paid the individual over £800 but has not heard from him since, nor been able to contact him.
Businesses are advised to conduct thorough checks on any individual or company they are seeking to employ.
14/03/2012 Security High Pressure Sales Pitch - Alcester
A consumer contacted Warwickshire Trading Standards Service after receiving a phone-call from a security company representative who stated that ' in view of the number of burglaries in the area' he was doing a 'survey to ensure homes are safe'. This approach, using often bogus crime statistics to scare vulnerable home owners, is often used by rogue security companies wanting to sell consumers expensive and unsuitable alarm systems.
Consumers needing advice on home security should speak to their local Police Crime Prevention Officer.
14/03/2012 Bogus (Housing Association) Caller Warning - Warwick Warwickshire Trading Standards received a report from a householder who had several visits from someone falsely claiming to be from her housing association. The caller first entered the property claiming to have come to check the smoke alarm and later returned to check the electricity. Both calls were made in the evening. |
14/03/2012 Bogus 'Sky' Caller - Nuneaton
A Sky subscriber reported to Warwickshire Trading Standards that they had received an unexpected phone call from someone who claimed to be from Sky. The caller claimed that the consumer's Sky + box insurance was running out and he was calling to renew it. In fact, the consumer still had several months cover on his policy.
The call was actually from an entirely separate business hoping to trick the householder in to buying their insurance cover by falsely claiming to represent Sky.
Do not provide your personal or financial information to cold callers.
For more information on
all scams, visit our website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/scams
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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
My normal working days are Monday to Thursday
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