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In this issue:
Every year more than three million people in the UK fall victims to scams but just 5% of scams are reported. The main channel for scams are web/email [30%] with letters accounting for 14% of all scams.
Common mail scams reported to Trading Standards during May Scam Awareness Month:
Lotteries – A letter proclaims a huge lottery win even though the receiver hasn’t bought a ticket but in order to collect winnings you are asked to send money to cover "processing" or "administration" costs.
Advance fee - A letter offers a huge slice of a fortune in a foreign bank account. All you are asked to do is to supply your bank details but if you do fraudsters may raid the victim’s account.
Clairvoyants and psychics – letter make predictions or promises of a bright future with some warning of dire consequences unless a fee is paid. Those who send money get little or nothing in return and are likely to be bombarded by further scam mailings.
Businesses can also be the victim of postal scams, receiving letters saying that they have ordered advertising space when they haven’t, or a fictional debt is owed. Always challenge these claims and never pay without demanding proof that you placed an order, or money is owed.
Report scams to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 - www.actionfraud.police.uk
Register with the Mailing Preference Service to cut down on unwanted direct mail: www.mpsonline.org.uk or phone 0845 703 4599.
The Royal Mail also has an ‘opt out’ scheme where you can choose not to have materials, such as those addressed to "The Occupier" put through the door. Visit: www.royalmail.com and search for ‘OPT OUT SERVICE’.
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Even Trading Standards are not immune from receiving scams! We at Coventry Trading Standards received an email claiming to be from Facebook saying we had new notifications to view. The only problem is that Coventry Trading Standards does not have its own Facebook page!
Scammers can create phoney emails that can be very convincing that look like they’re from Facebook such as notifications about friend requests, messages, events, photos and videos, false accusations that you're abusing Facebook or 'You have won the Facebook Lottery'!
Advice from Facebook is if an email or Facebook message looks strange, don’t click any of the links in it or open any attachments. Facebook will also never ask you for your password in an email or send you a password as an attachment.
When in doubt, Facebook advises to type www.facebook.com into your browser to get to Facebook and check the official Facebook Pages or App Pages before clicking on any promotions.
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A local resident has reported receiving an e-mail alleging to be from FedEx. The message says that a package containing a UK National Lottery bank cashier cheque worth over $1500000 has been waiting to be delivered for some time. The recipient is instructed to supply personal details so that the cheque can be delivered, along with a payment of $221 USD as a ‘Security Keeping Fee’!
This message is actually an advance fee scam and is NOT from FedEx and no cheque is waiting. Scammers use the fictional cheque as bait to entice recipients into sending their money and personal information.
Trading Standards advise that regardless of the cover story used, people need to be wary of any message that claims that they have won a large sum of money in a lottery or promotion that they have never even entered.
FedEx confirmed it does not request, via unsolicited mail, e-mail or text messages, payment or personal information in return for goods in transit or in FedEx custody. If you have received a fraudulent e-mail or text message that claims to be from FedEx, you can report it by forwarding it to abuse@fedex.com
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Trading Standards have been made aware of a scam email that is currently targeting businesses purporting to be from ‘The European Company Network’ based in The Netherlands. It offers a ‘free of charge’ web guide update but hidden in the small print is a term stating there is a fee of €995 for 3 years' insertion onto the database and by signing the agreement, you agree to pay this. This is very similar to another scam that targeted businesses: ‘The European City Guide’
The activities of this business, based in Spain have already been highlighted by a number of UK and EU institutions and action has been taken against them to disrupt their activities.
Trading Standards advises businesses not respond to any emails, telephone calls or letters from the European Company Network.
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A million Dyson Hot Bladeless Tower Heater/Fan combination (Model AM04); Dyson Hot + Cool Bladeless Tower Heater/Fan combination (Model AM05) have been recalled due to a small number of failures where problems with condensing or dripping has created a partial electrical short circuit on the Printed Circuit Board [PCB] within the lower portion of the Heater/Fan. In rare cases a flame could occur but it is unlikely to cause injury or property damage because any flame would be contained within the housing of the product.
8 incidents have been reported in Europe, with no injuries to person or property.
If you have one of the affected Dyson Fan Heaters you can register your heater for a free repair on the Dyson website: Dyson Heater Recall Registration
If you have any questions or concerns about this recall you can call Dyson on 0800 090 1400.
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See the warning issued by Argos
Coventry Trading Standards would like to draw the public’s attention to a safety notice issued by Argos.
They have identified a problem with a number of models of Bush and Haier washing machines they have sold.
A component part in the control panel can overheat, leading to localised damage and present a risk of fire.
The washing machines are:
- Bush WM1270TVE (white) and WM1270TVEME (silver)
- Bush DIHWD1270TVE (white) and DIHWD1270TVEME (silver)
- Bush WM1470TVE (white) and WM1470TVEME (silver)
- Bush DIHWD1470TVE (white) and DIHWD1470TVEME (silver)
- Haier HWD1270TVE (white) and HWD1270TVEME (silver)
- Haier HWD1470TVE (white) and HWD1470TVEME (silver)
- Haier 1470TVE (white) and 1470TVEME (silver)
The model number is on the body of the washing machine, just inside the door.
If you have, or think you may have, one of the affected washing machines, Argos will arrange for the faulty component to be replaced. Contact 0800 888 6124 or email modifications@0800repair.com.
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