Scam Alerts from Coventry Trading Standards - 06 May 2014

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Scam Alerts from Coventry Trading Standards - 6 May 2014

In this issue:

Online Scams – 06 May 2014

Scam Awareness Month continues and the focus this week is on online scams the most common of which is ‘Phishing’. This is where you receive an email alleging to be from your bank or other financial institution that will explain that there is a problem with your account. You are directed to a link to ‘confirm’ your account details and other confidential information but this goes to a bogus website. Any information provided can then be used fraudulently by the scammers.

In Coventry, Trading Standards receive lots of reports of unsolicited emails such as the one stating that a long lost relative has died and you are entitled to a large part of their estate, or you are told you are a winner of a foreign lottery.

In both cases, you will usually be asked for significant amounts of money upfront to pay for ‘taxes’ and ‘admin costs’.

Unfortunately UK consumers lose thousands of pounds by responding to such requests – the ‘inheritance’ or the ‘prize’ does not exist, and no monies are ever forthcoming.

Fraudsters also target consumers who use dating websites by creating fake profiles to build up relationships, but you are then asked for money for such things as medical treatment or family emergencies. Then there are the bogus money lending websites where unsuspecting consumers make loan applications, and are asked for upfront fees.

Needless to say, the ‘loan’ never materialises.

A recent scam reported to Action Fraud has been dubbed the ‘Assassin’ scam email – this involves a sympathetic assassin who thinks that the recipient of the email has wrongly had a contract taken out against them.

All these types of scam emails are generally sent to a large number of people in the hope that one or more will respond and be drawn further into the scam.

There are simple tips that can be followed to avoid online scams:

  • Always ensure that you are using a secure website – look for the ‘https’ in the web browser, and the padlock symbol.
  • Don’t reply to spam emails, even if it is to un-subscribe, and do not click on any links the email may contain.
  • Make sure you keep your anti-virus software up to date.
  • If it sounds too good to be true, it is!

Residents can sign up to receive email alerts direct to your inbox about the latest Trading Standards issues: www.coventry.gov.uk/tradingstandards

Back to top

Scam Alert – Call Blocker Device – 06 May 2014

A local resident has reported an incident regarding an elderly person who, as a result of a telephone call, was persuaded to purchase a Call Blocker device. The claim made was that once plugged into your telephone line the device would prevent all unwanted sales calls. Some of these devices are better than others but many will need to be programmed in some way to be able to recognise the calls you do and do not want to receive.

If you are interested in buying one of these devices do your homework first and search the Internet for some online reviews recorded by people who have bought a device before agreeing to buy something from someone who rings you out of the blue.

Remember, if you are registered with the Telephone Preference Service [TPS] you should not receive calls from anyone in the UK trying to sell you a call blocking device! 

To register for FREE with the TPS visit: www.tpsonline.org.uk or phone 0845 070 0707.

Back to top

Possible Rogue Trader Report – 01 May 2014

A resident in the Tile Hill area reported receiving an unsolicited call at their door from a man who was offering tarmacking and block paving work. He claimed he had just quoted a neighbour for a new drive, which turned out to be untrue.

The man did not give any details as to who he was working for but drove an unmarked silver VW Transporter van on a 04 plate. When his offer was declined and he was asked to leave, the caller became verbally aggressive.

Our advice is not to deal with such cold callers as often their work will be of a poor standard and although a low quote may be initially mentioned this usually increases when they 'discover' further work that needs to be done. You may also have difficulties in tracing them again should you need to call them back! There is also a clear link between rogue traders and distraction burglars.

Back to top

Allergy Alert - Slimfast Meal Bars withdrawn - 01 May 2014

Unilever has withdrawn three varieties of Slimfast Meal Bars because some packs have been packed into incorrect boxes, and the presence of wheat and oats (gluten) and peanuts are not mentioned on the label. This makes the product a possible health risk for anyone who has an allergy or intolerance to wheat, oats or gluten and/or an allergy to peanut.

Products affected:

  • Slimfast 4 x Chocolate Crunch Flavour Meal Bar (240g)
  • Slimfast 4 x Chocolate Peanut Flavour Meal Bar (224g)
  • Slimfast 4 x Summer Berry Flavour Meal Bar (240g)

‘Best before’ dates and batch codes: all date and batch codes

Risk: Some packs contain wheat, oats (gluten) and peanut, making it a possible health risk for anyone who is allergic or intolerant to wheat, oats or gluten and/or allergic to peanut.

Advice to consumers: If you have bought any of the above products and have an allergy or intolerance to wheat, oats, gluten and/or an allergy to peanut, do not eat it. Instead, contact the company care line by phoning 0800 146252.

The company has withdrawn the products from sale and placed notices in the national press.

Back to top