Wednesday, 27 February 2013
A new level of door chain security
20 February 2013
Mixed advice on domestic door chains, leads to new invention
Unfortunately, but understandably, there is mixed advice as to a door chain's effectiveness. Organisations, such as Age UK recommend their use to combat bogus callers and yet some police services will advise people not to open the door, since a closed and locked door will be considerably more secure than a door held on a chain. Instead they suggest shouting through the door or calling out of an upstairs window. Read more here
In action - watch Video 2 HERE
Mixed advice on domestic door chains, leads to new invention
Unfortunately, but understandably, there is mixed advice as to a door chain's effectiveness. Organisations, such as Age UK recommend their use to combat bogus callers and yet some police services will advise people not to open the door, since a closed and locked door will be considerably more secure than a door held on a chain. Instead they suggest shouting through the door or calling out of an upstairs window. Read more here
In action - watch Video 2 HERE
Monday, 25 February 2013
07 = Mobile? - Not always!
25/02/2013: 070
Telephone Number Warning
Consumers
are warned about phoning numbers beginning 070 after a complaint received by
Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service.
Phone
numbers starting 070 can easily be mistaken for mobile phone numbers, which
also start 07. However, in reality phone numbers that start 070 are charged at
a premium rate.
One
Warwickshire job seeker reported receiving an unexpected email inviting him to
a job interview following his ‘application’. The individual who received the
email had sent out many job applications so phoned the number back but was
transferred to an answering machine that kept him on hold. The number he phoned
was a 070 premium rate number. The consumer now believes that he was tricked in
to phoning the number so that number provider could generate profits.
070
numbers are sometimes called virtual or ‘follow me’ numbers set up to divert
calls from one number to another so that the person
being called can keep their own number private, and remain contactable wherever
they go.
The
complaints about the 070 premium rate numbers relate largely to consumers
receiving missed calls to both landlines and mobiles from 070 prefixed numbers.
These calls are terminated after one ring which prompts the consumers to call
back the premium rate 070 number, believing it to be a genuine missed call.
Other
inducements to phone the number back include work opportunities and
advertisements.
Calls
to 070 numbers may cost up to 50p per minute from a BT landline and more from a
mobile. The price will not necessarily be explained during the call itself.
If
consumers believe they have been misled or tricked in to phoning an 070 number
so that the provider of the 070 number service can generate money, they can
report the number to the premium rate line watchdog PhonepayPlus on 0800 500 212.
The
070 number complained about by the consumer in this case has been reported to
PhonepayPlus.
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
Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/warkstss
My normal working days are Monday to Thursday
Saturday, 23 February 2013
Kineton Farmers Market - Saturday 9 Mar 2013
On the second Saturday of March, May, July and October, Market Square, Kineton hosts Kineton Farmers Market between 10am and 1 pm. Local farmers produce is sold, including meat, cheese, vegetables, fresh bread and baked produce, edible plants, honey, ice cream, pickles and jams and locally brewed beer. Live folk music creates a relaxed atmosphere for the event which is held in a traditional market setting amongst properties dating back to the 17th Century.
Market Sq, Kineton Warwickshire Warwickshire CV35 0LP
Friday, 22 February 2013
Fight Back Britain
Fight Back Britain Flyer
RDF are producing a new commission for BBC1 called Fight Back Britain. They'd be very interested in hearing Neighbourhood and Home Watch members stories.
The programme concentrates on the role that the public plays in helping the police fight crime. How social networks, mobile phone footage, photos, eyewitness accounts etc. can provide crucial evidence in identifying suspects and assisting in successful convictions. The highlight of each episode will be the inspiring stories of public involvement.
SNT Update
WELLESBOURNE
Includes:
Includes:
- Theft from motor vehicle - as near as Northend
- Burglary Crime Prevention Advice
- Vehicle Crime Advice
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Ron Ball - Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner
Just to let you all know that
Ron Ball, Warwickshire's Police and Crime Commissioner is attending the
following two Community Forums in Stratford district in March:
Wellesbourne/Kineton at Wellesbourne Fire Station, Loxley Road, Wellesbourne CV35 9JL on Thursday 7th March from 6.30pm
Alcester/Bidford at the Crawford Memorial Hall, Salford Road, Bidford on Avon B50 4EZ on Tuesday 12th March from 6.30pm
Ron and his team have undertaken to come to all forums in Stratford District over the coming year but you are all very welcome to come to either of the above to hear about the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner and to take part in the Q and A session.
Regards
Ali Mainey
Community Development Worker
Southern Area Team
Communities
Warwickshire County Council
Office Phone External: 01789 260134
Mobile: 07557 565783
Internal: 532134
email: alisonmainey@warwickshire.gov.ukwww.warwickshire.gov.uk
Fur further information on the LAA visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/laa
For further information on the Stratford-on-Avon Area Office visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/stratfordarea
Wellesbourne/Kineton at Wellesbourne Fire Station, Loxley Road, Wellesbourne CV35 9JL on Thursday 7th March from 6.30pm
Alcester/Bidford at the Crawford Memorial Hall, Salford Road, Bidford on Avon B50 4EZ on Tuesday 12th March from 6.30pm
Ron and his team have undertaken to come to all forums in Stratford District over the coming year but you are all very welcome to come to either of the above to hear about the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner and to take part in the Q and A session.
Regards
Ali Mainey
Community Development Worker
Southern Area Team
Communities
Warwickshire County Council
Office Phone External: 01789 260134
Mobile: 07557 565783
Internal: 532134
email: alisonmainey@warwickshire.gov.ukwww.warwickshire.gov.uk
Fur further information on the LAA visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/laa
For further information on the Stratford-on-Avon Area Office visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/stratfordarea
Trading Standards Update
20/02/2013
‘BBC’ Lottery Scam and other Advanced Fee Frauds
The names of bogus lotteries are becoming ever more bizarre! One
resident contacted Warwickshire Trading Standards after receiving a congratulatory
email from the ‘BBC National Lottery’, run in conjunction with ‘Microsoft’!
Like all bogus lotteries, the email asked the ‘winner’ to
send copies of various personal documents and would then have requested money
in advance of the $750,000 non-existent ‘prize’ being released.
James Feng Lui claims to work for the Shenzhen Development
Bank and wants you to help him claim $10.5 million, the estate of a deceased
person with your surname (so his letter says). He is willing to split the funds
50/50. Sadly those who take Mr Feng Lui up on his offer will only ever be asked
for money to help the transfer of the fictitious millions along. And, Mr Lee
Hao a bank worker in Hong Kong is writing to Warwickshire residents with the
same offer.
Advanced fee frauds come in many shapes and sizes. Never
reveal any personal or financial information to people you don’t know or trust
and especially cold callers and senders of spam email/letters.
More about advanced fee frauds: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/Web/corporate/wccweb.nsf/Links/5D0649278E3ED2CB80257886003647F7/$file/20120912_Advanced_Fee_Fraud.pdf
20/02/2013
Are You Really a Winner?
Warwickshire Trading Standards are warning residents about
letters which appear to suggest that you may have won prize, often by stating
that a prize has been unclaimed or asking you to send in a claim form. The
small print is usually the give-away in these cases where consumers are
actually required to phone a premium rate number or send an expensive text
(often as much as £10), just to find out if they have won and not to collect a
prize at all!
You cannot win a lottery you have not entered. Always check
the small print and beware of phoning or texting to check on your ‘prize
’. You
may not have won anything at all and if you have, it will probably be worth less
than the cost of the phone call!
More about scam lotteries: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/Web/corporate/wccweb.nsf/Links/5D0649278E3ED2CB80257886003647F7/$file/Scambuster+A5+Campaign+English+2.pdf
20/02/2013
Tarmac Gang Warnings
Tarmac gangs are again operating in South Warwickshire villages.
Residents are advised not to engage services on the doorstep. Tarmac gangs can
be very persuasive/threating. Residents are best advised to keep their doors
closed. Warwickshire Councils do not go door to door offering to re-surface
residents driveways with left over tarmac. Tarmac gangs will do a poor job and
charge a small fortune!
20/02/2013 Facebook ‘Product
Testers’
Warwickshire
Trading Standards are warning users of Facebook to beware of advertisements
etc. from traders offering people the opportunity to ‘product test’ face
creams, free for 30 days. One consumer reported taking up the offer for what
she thought would only involve paying a small amount for postage and packing.
Having provided her debit car details she was then told that if she did not
return the goods within 14 day unopened, she would be charged £80!
Never
provide your credit or debit cards to traders you don’t know or trust and
always check the terms and conditions of any offer – whatever the headline
claim may be. Trading Standards know that some traders have taken money from consumers
accounts, even after they had cancelled, using a system called continuous
payments authority. If you are in this situation the Financial Services Authority
state that you can cancel such agreements directly with your bank. See their
leaflet: http://www.fsa.gov.uk/static/pubs/consumer_info/know_your_rights_guide.pdf
20/02/2013 Cold Calling
Alarm Sales Wellesbourne
Consumers
living in the Wellesbourne area have reported cold calls relating to the
promotion of monitored security systems. Warwickshire Trading Standards would
like to remind consumers that if they are offered ‘free’ alarm systems, they
may come with expensive monitoring contracts. Consumers should never buy from
cold callers and if they require a security system should seek independent
advice from their local Police or NHW organisation.
Further,
consumers should be wary of businesses that use spurious/scary crime statistics
to sell their systems or claim that the emergency services will respond if
their alarm is activated.
13/02/2013 Business ‘Collapse’
Scam
A
Warwickshire consumer reported to Trading Standards receiving an unexpected
phone call from someone who claimed a business the consumer had a contract with
was ‘closing down’ and the consumer was due a ‘refund’.
The
caller offered to send the consumer a cheque for £350 and was then asked to send
£100 further on to India.
This
is a scam. The cheque would initially clear and the money appear in the
consumer’s account. The consumer would then send £100 on to India. However, the
cheque would almost certainly be stolen or counterfeit and when this was
spotted by the bank, they would remove the money from the consumer’s account,
leaving the consumer £100 out of pocket.
13/02/2013 Loan Scam
A Warwickshire consumer reported to the Trading Standards
Service receiving an offer of a loan after being phoned unexpectedly by someone
he had never spoken to before (the consumer has been looking for a loan
previously).
The caller (who was phoning from abroad) offered the consumer a
£3000 loan over 2 years with a monthly repayment of £94 per month. The caller
even sent the consumer a loan agreement, despite the loan repayments covering
less than the total cost of the loan!
Consumers looking for loans are warned that they may become
targets for fraudsters.
The fraudster will offer the consumer the loan but the consumer
will often begin their loan repayments before they receive the loan. The fraudsters
never do send the money but keep taking the repayments for as long as they can.
In some cases the fraudsters ask for an admin fee to be paid up
front before the loan can be released and again, it never is, leaving people who
already have difficult financial circumstances, even worse off.
13/02/2013
Timeshare Owners Targeted
Timeshare owners, often those who have been desperately trying
to sell their timeshares, are being targeted by fraudsters warn Warwickshire Trading
Standards. One Warwickshire timeshare owner reported receiving an unexpected phone
call to tell him that he was owed over £5000 as a victim of a timeshare scam.
The caller claimed that the money would be couriered to his door, but that the
consumer would have to first pay a £860 transfer fee.
This has all the hallmarks of an advance fee fraud and consumers
are advised not to send any money if they are contacted in this way.
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
Wanted in Warwickshire
22 January 2013 12:18
Christopher Coulthard wanted for recall to prison
Officers are appealing for information on the whereabouts of 50 year old Christopher Coulthard who is wanted for recall to prison after breaching the terms of his licence.
Coulthard, formerly of Bedworth, was oringally sentenced to six years in prison for church thefts, released on November 8 2012 and recalled the following day after he breached the terms of his release.
Anyone who knows his whereabouts or has any information which would help to locate him is asked to contact Warwickshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Anne Tugwell
Tuesday, 12 February 2013
Trading Standards Update
05/02/2013
Businesses Warned of Bogus Trading Standards Call
A
business contacted Warwickshire Trading Standards after it reported receiving
calls from someone claiming to be from the Warwickshire Trading Standards
Service, claiming that the service had received numerous complaints about the
business’s work.
Warwickshire
Trading Standards has confirmed that this was a hoax call. Consumers and
businesses should be wary of any unexpected phone call from anyone claiming to
represent a Government Department. Always ask to phone back using a publically
listed number.
05/02/2013 Another PPI
Approach!
Warwickshire
Trading Standards is warning consumers about another underhand approach by a
company offering to claim back PPI compensation for them. The company phones consumers
and claims they have overpaid their mortgages and are due a rebate, so as to
get the consumer’s interest and details, from which they can offer to reclaim
PPI payments.
One
consumer reported such as call despite not having a mortgage or loans at all!
Report
all unsolicited phone calls to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO). Your
information can help them track down and fine people who pester consumers with
unwanted phone calls. Visit: https://www.snapsurveys.com/swh/surveylogin.asp?k=134674895144
If
you paid PPI and are seeking compensation, you can do so for free: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/ppi-loan-insurance
05/02/2013
High Pressure Solar Panel Sellers Warning
Warwickshire Trading Standards is warning consumers living in
the Leamington Spa area to be aware of high pressure sales phone calls and
visits from people selling (or in some cases giving away) solar panels.
Consumers should not buy from the door or from the first person
who they receive an unexpected phone call from.
Consumers should obtain professional and independent advice,
visit: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/
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
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
Pedlar charged - selling without a licence
Nottingham pedlar charged with selling without a licence
Please check every time - it deters the chancers.
Please check every time - it deters the chancers.
SNT Updates
SOUTHAM
USING MOBILE PHONES WHEN DRIVING
APPEAL FOR WITNESSES
CATALYTIC CONVERTERS
+ MORE
WELLESBOURNE
Burglary Crime Prevention Advice
Church Security
Action Fraud
+ MORE
USING MOBILE PHONES WHEN DRIVING
APPEAL FOR WITNESSES
CATALYTIC CONVERTERS
+ MORE
WELLESBOURNE
Burglary Crime Prevention Advice
Church Security
Action Fraud
+ MORE
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Incidents at homes in Stockton, Avon Dassett, Temple Herdewyke & Fenny Compton
Please be aware of the following incidents which have occurred at homes in your area over recent days:
Incident 209 of 21 January - Stockton
During the night of 18 into 19 January offenders stole 7 gas bottles from a rural business premises in Station Road, Stockton.
105 of 27 January - Avon Dassett
During the night of 26 into 27 January offenders entered a cottage
home in Avon Dassett after forcing open the front door. Once inside,
the offenders stole 2 handbags. One of the handbags was emptied and
later found in the wheelie bin.
Incident 218 of 3 February
At some point before 4.30pm yesterday, 3 February, offenders used a
eurolock device on the rear door of home in Falkland Place, Temple
Herdewyke in an attempt to get into the house. The lock was smashed but
offenders failed to get in and nothing was stolen.
Incident 180 of 3 February
At just after 3.30pm yesterday, 3 February, offenders stole the
numberplates fron a Citroen Picasso parked in Manor Court, Fenny
Compton. The offenders are believed to be 2 males, one white, who made
off in a Vauxhall type vehicle.
Incident 175 of 3 February
At around the same time offenders stole the rear numberplate of a
Ford Focus vehicle parked in The Readings, Fenny Compton. The offenders
are described as 2 Asian males driving a silver Audi.
Incident 253 of 3 February
Between 10am and 6pm, also yesterday, offenders stole both
numberplates fron a Kia Picanto parked in Brook Street, Fenny Compton.
Please remain alert, on the lookout for suspicious persons,
vehicles or activity around your own or neighbouring homes and please
report anything out of place, or of concern, to Police on 101.
Thankyou.
Julie Dale
Watch Co-ordinator
Community Protection
Trading Standards - Get wise to the latest scams
04/02/2013
Business Rebate Scam
Businesses are warned to beware of cold calls from fraudsters
who claim to be able to reduce their business rates. Warwickshire Trading
Standards received a complaint from one business that was told that for a
payment of £474, their rates would be reduced. The caller invoiced the business
and told the owner it would take around five weeks for the process to be
completed.
The business paid half the invoice immediately but the caller
then disappeared without trace.
Businesses can challenge their rates for free, visit: https://www.gov.uk/business-rate-appeals
04/02/2013 Office of
Fair Trading Scam
Fraudsters are cold calling consumers, claiming to be the OFT warn
Warwickshire Trading Standards. The callers claim to be able to obtain Payment
Protection Insurance compensation for the consumer. One consumer was asked to
pay £250 up front in Ukash vouchers for this ‘service’.
Had they done so the fraudster would have simply disappeared!
This is an advanced fee fraud. Beware of anyone asking for up-front fees
for any service, especially if they request the money be paid using Ukash
vouchers or Western Union money transfer. These legitimate ways of transferring
money are used by fraudsters because it makes them difficult to trace.
The OFT will never cold call consumers.
Consumers should be aware that they do not need to pay anything to claim
PPI compensation. For more information visit: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/ppi-loan-insurance
04/02/2013 Porn Virus
Scam
A consumer reported to Warwickshire Trading Standards that their
computer had been ‘locked’ and a ‘Police’ pop up had appeared claiming this was
because the user had been downloading music and pornography illegally.
The user was asked to make a credit card payment of £100 to ‘unlock’
their computer. The pop up notices appeared professional and made use of Police
logos.
Trading Standards are warning consumers that this is an example of
‘ransomware’. Ransomware is a kind of malicious software that
seizes control of a computer and demands a ransom to relinquish its hold over
the machine.
It is possible that almost 3% of compromised users
pay these bogus fines, making the scam very profitable.
Law enforcement bodies do not collect fines in this
way. If your computer has been compromised do not pay up. To do so will also
reveal your credit card details to the fraudsters.
Computer users should instead run good anti-virus
software on their machines to clear the virus and protect themselves from
future infection. For more information on computer safety visit: www.getsafeonline.org.uk
04/02/2013
Small Business Advertising Scam
A Warwickshire small business that paid £360 by debit card for
advertising from a cold caller, later found that other payments had been made
to promotional companies from his bank account without his permission,
totalling over £1000! The businessman cancelled his debit card but then
received aggressive calls and bailiff threats.
Businesses are advised not to accept advertising from cold
callers. Check advertising contracts thoroughly and ensure the advertising
opportunity is a genuine one. For more information about advertising scams
visit: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/Web/corporate/wccweb.nsf/Links/5D0649278E3ED2CB80257886003647F7/$file/20120111_Business_scams.pdf
04/02/2013
‘Job’ Offer Scam
Job seekers should beware job offers that could see them out
of pocket warn Warwickshire Trading Standards.
A Warwickshire job seeker reported receiving an unexpected
email offering her a job. The offer came from someone who wanted to send her
money which she would put in to her bank account and then transfer to a third party.
She would then be paid.
Trading Standards are warning that this a scam. The money
sent to the unwitting job seeker would probably be a stolen or forged cheque.
This would initially clear and the job seeker would send on the money to the
third party.
However, when it became clear to the bank that money was
stolen, this money would be reimbursed to the rightful account owner, leaving
the job seeker out of pocket!
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
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