Wednesday 6 March 2013

Scams for donors, businesses and an unenviable first for the UK


04/03/2013 Charity ‘Bin’ Scam North Warwickshire
Warwickshire Trading Standards has received a complaint that bogus charity bins have been appearing in recycling areas and car parks in North Warwickshire. The ‘bins’ may be roadside gritting containers that have been stolen, repainted and re-badged.
In these cases it is likely that any ‘donations’ would be sold for profit. Consumers concerned about the legitimacy of a charity clothing donation bin can report the matter to Warwickshire Trading Standards on 08454 040506.

04/03/2013 Voucher Offer Warning
Businesses in Warwickshire have complained to Warwickshire Trading Standards after being approached to advertise in a book of vouchers. A number of traders who were approached and paid to appear in the voucher booklet then discovered that the voucher booklet was not printed, but never received a refund.

04/03/2013 Patent Register Warning
Warwickshire Trading Standards is warning businesses to beware of invoice like letters associated with patents being sent from abroad. Warwickshire Trading Standards are concerned that some businesses may think these letters are invoices which are required to be paid for services already agreed and delivered, rather than an offer to place the business on a website directory.
Business owners should ensure their staff check invoices carefully before making any payments.

04/03/2013 UK Most Phished Country in 2012!
The UK was the world's most phished country in 2012 according to cyber security experts RSA. Consumers and businesses in the UK lost an estimated £27bn in 2012 through cybercrime. More than £600m of this was through phishing attacks, making it the most 'phished' country in the world.
Phishing emails are designed to look like a genuine email from your bank or an online store you transact with and try to get you to reveal personal and financial information by linking you to bogus websites.
Check any emails you receive from banks and businesses you transact with carefully and never click on links in unexpected or untrustworthy emails.


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 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 01926 414039 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Mob: 07771 975570 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 07771 975570 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/warkstss
My normal working days are Monday to Thursday

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