|
In this issue:
A resident alerted us to a scam phone call they received where the caller informed them that they were owed compensation following the purchase of a holiday bond many years ago from a Spanish company which went into liquidation, resulting in the purchasers losing money. The caller claimed to be from a legitimate registered company and offered to secure compensation of £7,000 payable via banker's draft from Barclays. However, before they could proceed the caller required payment by 2 UKASH vouchers of £100 + £200. The resident was also told they would receive an Inland Revenue form to complete which would explain the payment into their account.
If the resident had fallen for this scam the caller would have no doubt tried to coerce the resident to disclose the UKASH reference numbers (not realising this would release the payment). No compensation will be received and the caller may call again asking for a further payment.
Trading Standards always advises never to do business with any cold caller – be it on the telephone, or at the doorstep.
Back to top
Trading Standards are warning Coventry residents to be on their guard after a resident received an unsolicited phone call from an unspecified caller who knew their name and home address. The caller did not state the name of the company they were calling from but said that the employer of the resident wanted to send them for a hearing test and on doing so, would be paid some insurance by Admiral.
The resident contacted their employer, who confirmed that no such request had been made.
Back to top
A Coventry consumer who lost £28,000 in 1999 after being a victim to a Bulgarian property scam recently received contact from Malaga Fast Line Legal Service who claimed they would be able to get their money back but would need a fee of approximately £1,000 for the legal costs needed to sue the company. Fortunately, before doing anything the consumer checked online and found a warning on the Financial Conduct Authority [FCA] website stating that this firm was operating without the appropriate authorisation from the within the UK.
Back to top
A local resident has brought to our attention a letter they received claiming they had won £825,000 in the People’s Postcode Lottery. In order to claim their ‘prize’ recipients are asked to contact the Foreign Service Manager of ‘UK Security Solution’, but there is a clearance fee to be paid which is unspecified.
This is a scam - if you send any money you will get nothing; and if you send one payment, they will contact you again and try to con you out of even more.
Protect yourself and ask yourself how could you win a lottery if you haven't bought a ticket? Never reveal credit card or bank account details unless you're sure who you're dealing with.
Back to top
Members of the public are being urged to protect themselves from two distinct but associated forms of malware known as GOZeuS and CryptoLocker by ensuring security software is installed and updated, by running scans and checking that computer operating systems and applications are up to date.
GOZeuS (also known as P2PZeuS) has been assessed as being responsible for the fraudulent transfer of hundreds of millions of pounds globally and recent intelligence suggests that more than 15,500 computers in the UK are currently infected, with many more potentially at risk.
Get Safe Online is providing advice, guidance and tools on its website at www.getsafeonline.org/nca to help internet users understand more about the malicious software and how to protect themselves and their computers from attacks. A number of cyber security companies have supplied remediation tools, which can be accessed via Get Safe Online, to help clean up infected machines.
Users are typically infected by clicking on attachments or links in emails which look like they have been sent by genuine contacts and may purport to carry invoices, voicemail messages, or any file made to look innocuous.
The malware monitors the user’s activity to capture banking or other private information, which is then transmitted back to the criminals. If there is nothing found the criminals can unleash ‘CryptoLocker’ which can encrypt the user’s files. Once that process is complete, the victim is presented with a pop-up telling them what has happened and a timer appears on their screen, which starts counting down. That is the time the victim has in order to pay a ‘discounted’ ransom of around £200-£300.
Anyone who thinks they have lost money through malware such as P2PZeus and Cryptolocker should report it to Action Fraud.
Back to top
As a result of possible contamination with small pieces of glass Sainsbury’s have recalled their ‘by Sainsbury’s’ pitted black olives, pack size: 350g (best before date: 03/04/2017 printed on lid)
If you have bought the above product, do not eat it. Instead, return it to your nearest Sainsbury’s store for a full refund.
For further information contact Sainsbury’s on 020 7276 8448.
Back to top
As a precaution Asda is recalling the MW USB Charger which is sold exclusively by Asda. There is an issue relating to the product overheating on a limited number of products.
If you have purchased the MW USB Charger, you can take it back to your local Asda or contact via Asda.com for a full refund. No receipt necessary.
To help you identify the product that needs to be returned look for this code printed on the charger: 5R.11.13.125 or 87M.10.13.124.
For further information contact Asda Customer Relations – 0800 952 0101.
Back to top
For
more information on scams, visit: www.coventry.gov.uk/scams
Citizens Advice consumer service: 08454 04 05 06 or www.adviceguide.org
Action Fraud (UK’s National Fraud Office): 0300 123 2040 or www.actionfraud.org.uk
| 
