In April, we issued a warning about reports of a scam telephone caller who claimed to be from Coventry City Council in order to gain personal details.

At the time, the resident was asked for information for a NHS survey relating to an accident.

We have now received two more similar reports from residents.

Trading Standards are repeating the point that Coventry City Council would not make this kind of approach to any resident and certainly would not ask for personal information to be divulged.

Our advice - Do NOT give out any personal information, and hang up on the call. We are anxious for people not to be caught out, so please be on your guard for this or any other bogus caller.

You can report the call to Coventry Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06, or contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

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Another scam making a return following a report from a Chapelfields resident is a letter that claims to come from Sanchez Martini a ‘Principle Assurance Manager’ for the ‘Industrial and Commercial Bank of Spain’. He claims that a person sharing their family name has died intestate and left behind a vast investment worth $9.6US dollars. No next of kin can be traced and the money will go to the government.

To avoid this, the letter suggests that the resident can claim the inheritance if he will split it with Mr Sanchez Martini.

There is an emphasis on the need for speed and secrecy and not to tell anyone else about the deal.

However, there is no inheritance and this person isn’t a ‘Principle Assurance Manager’ but a fraudster.

Do not respond to such fraudsters. They’ll ask you to pay various fees – for example: taxes, legal fees, banking fees etc. – so they can release your non-existent inheritance.

Each time you make a payment, the fraudsters will come up with a reason why the inheritance can’t be paid out unless you make another payment.

By responding, your details may also be passed to other scammers and you will receive more scams letters and phone calls.

We are aware of many versions of the same letter with each telling an identical story but using a different name for the person who is said to have died leaving a large fortune but no will.

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In June, Coventry Trading Standards issued a warning to the public to be wary of bogus telephone calls claiming to be from HMRC after a report from a Cheylesmore resident.

The call comes in the form of a recorded message to say that you are in tax arrears and to avoid court action, 'press 1' to talk to someone.

There had been a number of reports countrywide of this new approach by the fraudsters, and information indicates that more Coventry residents are now receiving the calls. An elderly resident who received such a call was so concerned they did press 1 and as suspected, they were asked for their bank details on the pretence this was needed to make a payment for the arrears.

The HMRC’s fraud section is currently investigating this scam and has published advice with genuine HMRC contacts and how to recognise scams.

HMRC also advise that if any details are inadvertently disclosed, contact them immediately on security.custcon@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.

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As we start the school summer holidays, Trading Standards are warning of a new online scam.

Alton Towers, based in Staffordshire, has issued guidance for its customers after it became aware of a fake coupon offer widely circulated on social media.

The scam has been shared on Facebook and Twitter.

The coupon appears to show you can get five free tickets to enter the attraction.

But the theme park has warned users that the offer is false and not to share their details on the post.

A statement from Alton Towers reads: "We have been made aware of a social media scam offering free tickets to Alton Towers Resort that is currently circulating on Facebook.

"This is NOT an official offer or affiliated to Alton Towers Resort in any way."

"Whilst action is taken to remove the scam, we would strongly advise against sharing your details or the post."

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Boots have issued a recall on one of their Kids Sunglasses:

Boots Kids Sunglasses
Item code: 64 11 665
Style: BOK002F

The product has developed a defect, leading to the flower detaching from the frame and exposing a screw, which may present a potential safety issue. Please note the item code can be found on the arm of the product.

Boots are asking that anyone who has purchased this product to return it to your nearest Boots store for a refund.

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Waitrose is recalling its Waitrose Lovelife Peanuts & Raisins as it contains Waitrose Vitality Mix resulting in the undeclared presence of almonds, Brazil nuts and pistachio nuts. This makes the product a possible health risk to anyone with an allergy to these nuts.

Product details

• Product:  Waitrose Lovelife Peanuts & Raisins
• Pack size: 5 x 30g
• Best before date: 5 January 2017

Risk

• Allergen: nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts and pistachio nuts)

Advice

If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to these nuts, do not eat it. Instead return it to the store from where you bought it for a full refund.

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