Trading Standards Update 20/03/2011 - Latest Scams in Warwickshire

The email alert system is seeking new members.
If you know of any individual/organisation/group/business that would be interested in joining the email alert community, please pass on my details (below) to them.
Thank you

29/03/2011 British Gas Refund Notification
Consumers are warned to beware of a email which falsely claims to offer a refund on £732.80 on your gas bill. The email is a crude attempt at identity theft and requests information including: a legible, colour, digital photograph of your government-issued ID (e.g driver`s permit or passport), your name and address and driver's license number. You are asked to fax this information.

As with all scam email, never respond to them or reveal any personal or financial details about yourself. The criminal gangs who collect this information use it to steal your identity, enabling them to open bank accounts in your name and take out loans and mortgages or claim benefits. Consumers are also reminded that normal email is not secure.

For more information on scams and rogue traders, please visit our website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/latestscams

29/03/2011 Government 'Debt Order Settlement'
Warwickshire Trading Standards has received complaints about spam txts. The latest offers recipients the opportunity to 'wipe off' their debts using a 'Debt Settlement Order'. Consumer are advised that this is believed to be a mass marketing approach from debt management companies. Consumers with debt issues can obtain free and independent advice from their local Citizens Advice Bureau. Further information is also available at: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/stoploansharks

Responding to unsolicited email and text messages is likely to lead to you receiving more.

For more information on scams and rogue traders, please visit our website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/latestscams

29/03/2011 Unsolicited Phone Calls
A local Neighbourhood Watch has reported to the service that three people in their area received unexpected phone calls from someone asking for personal and financial information. The caller appeared to know the name of the residents and then proceeded to ask for their dates of birth and following that, bank details. Trading Standards urge consumers never to reveal personal or financial details to unsolicited (unexpected) callers.

For more information on scams and rogue traders, please visit our website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/latestscams

17/03/2011 Kenilworth Tarmac/Paving Gang

Local residents are warned that rogue traders have been operating door to door in the Kenilworth area offering block paving work and tarmac work. They are using false names and addresses or accommodation addresses to give the impression they are based locally or within the county. Residents are urged not to agree to work from the first person who comes to your door, but rather to shop around, consider local traders and where possible go on recommendation. Keep your door closed to rogue traders.

For more advice, visit our website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/doorstep

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• The email alert system is a quick, simple and cost effective means by which Warwickshire Trading Standards can alert interested individuals, community organisations, businesses, charities and others to the latest Trading Standards issues/scams etc.
• Please feel free to cascade this information to whom ever you feel appropriate (including using the information in your newsletters/websites etc.). Please ignore the Restricted Notice on the bottom of this page - this is automatically generated but is not meant to apply to the information in this email.
• The email alert system is designed to work as a two way communications system. Therefore, 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.
• To add, amend or remove your details from this email circulation list, again, please email me.
• A list of all the latest email alerts is availbale on our website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/latestscams

Simon Cripwell
Senior Information Officer
Trading Standards Service
Environment and Economy Directorate
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