News and Scam Alerts from Coventry Trading Standards - 10 October 2014

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News and Scam Alerts from Coventry Trading Standards - 10 October 2014

In this issue:

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Royal Mail and Trading Standards launch new joint initiative to tackle scam mail

Royal Mail

Royal Mail and Trading Standards have joined forces in a new initiative to tackle scam and fraudulent mail in the postal system.

This joint initiative will include dedicated training sessions given by Trading Standards to staff at Royal Mail delivery offices across the UK to improve awareness of scam mail among postal workers so they can report suspect items.

Royal Mail and Trading Standards are also encouraging people who believe they, or a family member, are receiving potentially fraudulent mail to report it.

Under the initiative, Trading Standards will determine whether a mailing is fraudulent and alert Royal Mail, before writing to the identified company requesting they stop posting the items. Alongside this, Royal Mail will warn the company about its actions before cancelling its contract if it continues to post fraudulent items.

People who want to report potentially fraudulent mail can write to Royal Mail at: Freepost Scam Mail or call: 03456 113 413 or email scam.mail@royalmail.com

Alternatively, contact Citizens Advice consumer service: 03454 04 05 06, writing to Citizens Advice consumer service, Post Point 24, Town Hall, Walliscote Grove Road, Weston super Mare, BS23 1UJ or complete the online postal services form

It is hoped that this joint initiative will help disrupt scam mail operations and reduce people’s exposure to this fraudulent practice and also sends a clear message to those behind these scams that tackling this issue is a priority for National Trading Standards and Royal Mail.

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HMRC phishing scam email – tax refund

HMRCHMRC email

Above is an example of a phishing e-mail that a local resident received claiming to be from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). When the resident clicked on the link contained in the email there was ultimately a request to submit card details.

HMRC will never send notifications of a tax rebate by email, or ask you to disclose personal or payment information by email. Do not visit the website contained within the email or disclose any personal or payment information.

If you have received a HMRC related phishing/bogus email, please forward it to: phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and then delete it.

If, following receipt of this email you have disclosed personal details forward brief details such as the type(s) of information disclosed e.g. name, address, date of birth etc. to HMRC: security.custcon@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk (Do not actually disclose any of your personal details, just the type). HMRC will act upon all HMRC related phishing emails, removing reported fraudulent websites.

Another resident reported a similar 'HMRC' email with: ‘You have received new messages from HMRC’ in the subject line. The email goes on to say: ‘Please be advised that one or more Personal Notification Notices have been issued’. There is a link to a website where you are invited to: ‘Download and view PDF document to read your message’.

Our advice is to delete this or any other similar messages.

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PPI phone scam warning

We have again been alerted to a telephone call falsely making claims of having ‘sorted out’ a local Westwood Ward residents PPI claim.

When the resident challenged as to which bank or company was involved, the caller evaded the question and just said a form would be posted out that would need to be completed & returned. The resident quickly realised that the caller was a scammer so terminated the call.

Scammers attempt to trick people by suggesting they are owed money - often for miss-sold Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) or repayment of bank charges - but first an up-front payment is required in order to release the funds.

Fraudsters have already tricked and harassed some victims into handing over large sums of money, only for them to find that the call was a fake. No official agency would contact consumers asking them for personal bank details, or request an up-front payment to enable you to receive money that is claimed is owed to you.

Resident are reminded not to pass on personal or financial details to such callers but if you believe you may have already done so, contact your bank immediately to stop or check any unauthorised transactions.

Product recall: CalorLite gas cylinders

Calor Gas

Calor Gas Ltd is issuing a product recall with immediate effect on all 6kg CalorLite® cylinders manufactured between 2008-2011 inclusive. All such cylinders must be returned to a local CalorLite® stockist immediately.

Upon return, the customer will be issued with a free of charge replacement 6kg CalorLite® cylinder.

Cylinder identification details can be found at www.calor.co.uk/recall

CalorLite® retail outlets can be found using the 'Find A Stockist' facility at www.calor.co.uk/find-a-stockist. Or call 0800 783 4141.

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Loom Band recall - Christmas loom kit - 886054

Looms

Coventry Trading Standards is highlighting the following safety recall notice issued by the retailer: The Range.

The Range are recalling the above item. If you have purchased this item you are able to return the set to the store to receive a full refund. If proof of purchase is not present at the time of your return, store credit to the current retail value will be issued.

Please note: no other Loom products stocked within The Range are affected. If you have any questions please ask a member of staff or contact customer service at The Range head office on 01752 725595 or customerservice@therange.co.uk.

For more information on scams, visit: www.coventry.gov.uk/scams

How to report scams