Monday, 28 January 2013

Latest SNT News

SOUTHAM

SOUTHAM AND FELDON COMMUNITY FORUM PRIORITIES
WARWICKSHIRE POLICE & CRIME COMMISSIONER PRAISES WORK OF NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
WARWICKSHIRE POLICE ADOPTS THE CITADEL INITIATIVE TO REDUCE BURGLARY

WELLESBOURNE

HOW TO CONTACT WARWICKSHIRE POLICE
Burglaries continue to fall in Warwickshire after launch of Citadel initiative

Thursday, 24 January 2013

Trading Standards - Recent Updates


24/01/2013 Warning on Bogus Clothing Recycling Banks

We are all familiar with bogus charity clothing collectors who go door to door, but warn Warwickshire Trading Standards, some bogus collectors are now placing clothing banks in community recycling areas next to clothing banks owned and operated by genuine charities.

One North Warwickshire village found such a metal clothing bank in their recycling area alongside a genuine clothing bank. The bogus clothing bank had been put in place without the permission or knowledge of village organisations and was badged up with the name of a genuine charity that when contacted, confirmed that the clothing bank was nothing to do with them.

The local authority and Police have been informed, but village and town councils may wish to check that clothing banks in their area have been placed legally. Falsely claiming to be a charity is a criminal offence and residents/organisations can report these issues to Warwickshire Trading Standards on 08454 040506.

23/01/2013 ‘Ebay’ Caller Warning

A resident reported to Warwickshire Trading Standards taking a call from someone phoning on an international number. The caller claimed to represent Ebay and asked the resident if he had made a £94 purchase which the caller claimed was fraudulent and would he like his money back? The resident was told he would need to download a Western Union ‘reclaim form’ and was given some strange instructions as to how to do this on his PC. The resident immediately put his phone down.

Trading Standards think this was an elaborate attempt to gain access to the residents computer, after which personal or financial information might be stolen or viruses downloaded.

Ebay is very unlikely to make cold calls to consumers.

23/01/2013 Energy Sales Cold Calling Scam

Consumers should again beware of unexpected doorstep callers trying to get them to change their energy supplier, warn Warwickshire Trading Standards. One elderly resident received an unexpected visit from an energy company representative who asked him to sign paperwork which he claimed was necessary to claim money back for some insulation work the resident had had done some time ago. The caller also asked for the residents date of birth and details of his energy bills. This warn Trading Standards is a classic attempt to deceive a resident in to changing his energy supplier without his knowledge or consent.

Consumers may save money by switching their energy supplier. However, they should shop around and use comparison websites, not sign up with the first person who comes to their door.

23/01/2012 Petrol Scam Update

Following our warning to consumers about a petrol scam issued in December 2012 (see below), Warwickshire Trading Standards has been alerted again to another incident. This time a resident was flagged down on a road near Dunchurch by a man who again said he had run out of petrol and asked for some money, offering some jewellery (probably cheap and fake, in return). He also asked for a lift to the petrol station. The driver said no and tried to drive off. The individual held on to the car and only let go when he saw that the driver was not going to stop. The Police have been informed.

22/01/2013 Rogue Snow Clearer Warning

Warwickshire Trading Standards is warning residents to beware of rogue door to door traders offering to clear snow from pathways and driveways.

Officers have had reports that some rogue traders have switched from tarmacing and roofing repairs to snow clearance. Rogue traders carry out poor work for high prices and once they are on your property will look for other ‘jobs ’ to do!

Residents are advised not to buy goods or services from unexpected callers.  

22/01/2013 Clothing Collectors

Warwickshire Trading Standards has again been alerted to clothing collectors operating in the Warwick/Leamington Spa area. Residents are warned that not all collectors are operating on behalf of a charity. Many collectors are businesses who collect for profit, in a similar way to scrap metal collectors. If consumers want their old clothing to benefit a charity, use a registered charity bag, charity clothing bank or charity shop.

22/01/2013 Ministry of Justice Scam

A Warwickshire resident who thought she was speaking to a Ministry of Justice official when she was phoned unexpectedly has been conned out of over £600. The bogus caller claimed she was owed money for mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance. She was then asked to send over £600 in UKash vouchers in order to receive her ‘refund’.

Warwickshire Trading Standards Service is warning consumers that if they are asked to send money in advance of receiving any rebate/winnings/compensation etc. then they have almost certainly been targeted by fraudsters.

21/01/2013 Council Tax Rebate Warning

Warwickshire Trading Standards has received a number of complaints from residents who have been targeted by businesses offering to sign them up to ‘Council Tax Rebate Schemes’.

The businesses send residents paperwork to sign and then follow up with high pressure phone calls. They claim to be able to lower the consumer’s council tax. If they achieve a reduction, they will take a percentage of any rebate a resident might be awarded.

HOWEVER residents should be aware that it is FREE to challenge your council tax band and that you DO NOT need to employ a third party to carry out this work for you.

Residents should also be aware that by challenging their council tax, the amount they pay could go up as well as down.

For more information, visit the Valuation Office Agency: http://www.voa.gov.uk/



There are also a number of consumer advice websites that can help you decide if it is worth you challenging your band.



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

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.
 




House to House Collections

Stratford District Council Policy on House to House Collections

Please be aware of these requirements so that you can challenge the collectors. 

Warwickshire NW strongly recommends that you don't fill out Direct Debit forms on the doorstep but find another way to support a charity if you wish to do so.


Doorstep canvassing for charitable giving by direct debit.

At the recent meeting of Warwickshire Neighbourhood Watch Association representatives were made aware that a number of genuine charities have been carrying out street campaigns and door knocking to get people to sign up to regular giving by direct debit and asking them to provide  bank card details there and then. There is the obvious danger in this that the details could be mislaid, dropped, etc by the people doing this on behalf of the charities. We are not sure that the danger is fully recognised by the parties concerned and will have raised this with our national organisation the Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network.

Consequently our advice to you is as follows: If you are disposed to agree to regular donations in this way to recognisable good causes, that you ask for the form and post it after completion to the organisation concerned having checked that the address is genuine if you have any doubts.

There is some concern that if fraudsters catch on to this then it may well lead to an increase in bogus door knockers. The message remains, never give out bank details either on the doorstep or over the phone.

Monday, 14 January 2013

There's nothing wronger that a Wonga loan!


Fact: 

Borrowing £100 at Wonga’s APR costs more than the US national debt (over $14 trillion) after 7 years!


If you are considering a Payday Lender this is to let you know that there is a better way, a much better way.

Credit unions offer payday loans alternative

Don't be tempted by a payday loan – check out the deals where you pay just £8 interest on £400, rather than the £125 demanded by Wonga
South Warwickshire Credit Union
South Warwickshire Credit Union offers loans from £100-£7500 at rates from 12.7%
We Currently offer 3 types of loan.
Members Term Loan . Available to members of three months standing for sums of up to £7500.
Regular Saver Loans. Available to members who save through one of our payroll deduction schemes. For sums up to £1000.
Orbit Handyloan.  For Tenants of Orbit in sums of £100 – £300 at an APR of 26.8%

Trading Standards Alerts Round up 10 January 2013

1357841253Trading Standards Alerts Round up 10 January 2013

Avoid the Loan Sharks

Warwickshire Trading Standards Service are supporting the England Illegal Money Lending Team's Christmas Loan Shark Awareness Campaign.

Illegal money lenders, otherwise know as loan sharks,  target vulnerable people and charge extortionate levels of interest for the relatively small amounts of money they loan to their victims and, when their victims fail to pay up, they use intimidation and violence.

Around 20% of people who turn to a loan shark, do so to pay for Christmas.

Through enforcement action, awareness raising and education we aim to put an end to this callous crime and encourage the public to celebrate the season without turning to an illegal money lender.

A suspected loan shark was recently arrested in Stratford upon Avon following an Illegal Money Lending Team investigation with the assistance of Warwickshire Trading Standards.


 
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.). 

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

Missing Tack?


A large amount of stolen tack has been recovered by the police and is being held at Banbury Police Station. For more details see the Warwickshire Horse Watch Blog.

Thursday, 10 January 2013

Village Development


A public consultation event is to be held at:

Fenny Compton Village Hall

On:
Wednesday 16th January 2013
Between the hours of:
4pm –8pm

Regarding the land behind Willowbrook, High Street.


MORE

‘Police’ Magazine Scam


10/01/2013 ‘Police’ Magazine Scam Surfaces Again

More businesses from the Alcester area have been targeted by a bogus magazine publisher cold calling traders to ask them if they would support a Police campaign on drink and drugs awareness.

The caller, who gave his name as Terry had a Liverpool or Northwest accent and provided the local Aldi store’s telephone number as a contact. There is no connection with Warwickshire Police.

Rogue publishing firms often claim to call on behalf of local emergency services in order to trick businesses in to buying advertising in publications with little or no circulation.

The publications are often safety related but they are almost never produced or produced and distributed in such small numbers as to be worthless in terms of advertising.

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

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

Money down the drain?


08/01/2012 Wine Investors £250,000 in the Red!

Investing in wine can be a risky business, warn Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service after consumers reported losing more than £250,000!

Trading Standards Officers are aware of a number of investors who spent over £250,000 each on ‘fine wine’ after being promised higher returns than those available from savings accounts or the stock market.

Many of the investors were approached following a sales cold call or junk mail leaflet.

Trading Standards Officers have discovered that huge commission fees charged by the wine sellers swallowed up most of the investor’s investment capital immediately. And, poor sales advice has meant that the wine they do now own is unlikely to ever accrue in price enough to cover their initial investment, never mind making a profit!

Fine wine is one of a number of ‘investment’ products which are unregulated, so consumers are largely unprotected. Whilst not all unregulated investment opportunities are misleading or fraudulent, investors are strongly advised to seek impartial and professional advice to avoid unscrupulous investment firms and bogus investments. Only deal with financial services firms that are authorised by the UK’s Financial Services Authority: www.fsa.gov.uk

 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: simoncripwell@warwickshire.gov.uk

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

Wednesday, 2 January 2013

Beware Imported Puppies


02/01/2013 Don’t Unwittingly Help the Spread of Rabies
Don’t unwittingly help the spread of rabies warn Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service.
Increasing numbers of puppies are being imported illegally from Eastern Europe in to the UK where puppy prices are much higher and are being sold via adverts on the Internet and in newspaper small ads as UK bred dogs. They are accompanied by bogus animal histories (breed and pedigree information) and forged documents.
Many of these animals are being smuggled in to the UK without first having being vaccinated against rabies. Other imported puppies are vaccinated too young before being imported.
These animals are normally discovered by vets after they check the legality of an animal’s passport documentation when new owners first take their animals for treatment.
Although the UK is rabies free, some Eastern European countries such as the Ukraine and Romania continue to have problems with the disease.
Defra have issued some good advice: www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/buying-cat-dog/
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