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In this issue:
 This
week for Scams Awareness Month we’re focusing on phone scams – the UK’s second most
common type of scam with 38% of scams using phone calls or texts to target
consumers. If you get a call out of the blue, be scam aware.
Visit our website for more information on this year’s
campaign.
We
have issued many warnings in previous alerts following reports from local
residents but some of the most common telephone scams mentioned below.
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A caller claims they have
been advised or have identified that your computer has a virus. They ask you to
log onto a website which gives them remote access to your computer. This also
allows them to access to any personal details including bank accounts and
passwords stored on your PC.
 A caller claims to be
from your bank or Police, saying they have identified a problem with your
account and your card has been used by criminals. They tell you they need access
to your current card and will arrange for a 'courier' to collect your card from
you so that further enquiries can be made. To confirm all the details they will also ask
you for your PIN so when the card is collected, they can have immediate access
to your money.
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The caller claims to be from a well-known telephone
company and attempts to trick you into revealing bank details to settle a
bogus, overdue bill. The caller threatens to disconnect your phone if the bill
is not settled immediately. If you refuse, the scammer tells you to put the
phone down and try to make a call. The fraudster does not put the phone down at
their end, so you can't make any calls. The scammers call back minutes later to
request payment or personal details to fix the 'problem'.
 Investment calls that will supposedly lead to huge financial gains with little or no risk.
These so called ‘boiler room’ frauds can result in average losses of £20,000
for worthless investments. Do not be caught out by the lure of huge returns.
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 Calls
offering a call blocker service or device to stop nuisance calls! Ironically residents
receive calls from people offering to stop nuisance calls by trying to sell ‘Call Blocker’ devices which the caller
claims will prevent all unwanted sales calls once plugged into your telephone
line.
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 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 product or service including a call
blocking device!
Whilst registering
with the TPS will not stop scammers who work outside the law it should prevent
legitimate businesses calling you.
To register for FREE with the TPS visit www.tpsonline.org.uk or phone 0845 070 0707.
Once registered with TPS, if you continue to get nuisance calls, ask yourself why is someone phoning
and ignoring my request and preference not to be called? The answer is that those who ignore your request are usually up to no good!
Treat all cold calls with suspicion and just as you would never give your bank details to someone who randomly knocks on your door or talks to you in the street, NEVER give out any security, bank or card details to someone who rings you out of the blue.
Remember, your bank or the Police would never arrange for a courier to collect
your card under any circumstances and you will not have won anything unless you have actually entered a competition.
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 JJ Support Limited has recalled E. Wedel Supreme Jaffa Orange
Cakes (147g) because some packs contain a milk ingredient not mentioned on the
packaging. This means the product poses a potential health risk to those with
an allergy or intolerance to milk and its constituents.
Pack size:
147g - Best before end: 21 October 2015
If you have bought the above product and have with an allergy
or intolerance to milk and its constituents do not eat it. Instead, return the
product to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.
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For
more information on scams, visit: www.coventry.gov.uk/scams
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