Scam Alerts and News from Coventry Trading Standards - 11 November 2016

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Scam Alerts and News from Coventry Trading Standards - 11 November 2016

In this issue:

Watch out for the WhatsApp Scam!

Whatsapp

Trading Standards have issued a warning after a Styvechale resident received a fake Sainsbury’s voucher deal through WhatsApp that appeared to have been sent by a trusted contact. 

The message read "Hey have you heard about this? Sainsbury's is giving away £100 gift cards (with a convincing looking link to a fake website). They are expanding their store network and they launched this promotion. Grab a gift card while it lasts. I got mine already”.

However the recipient name is actually fake and is designed to trick you into clicking on the link to claim the alleged Sainsbury's voucher.

If you do click on the convincing looking link you will be taken to a fake website designed to trick you into handing over personal information.

According to security researchers, once you click on the malicious link fraudsters also collect personal information from your device by installing cookies on your phone that track you, or add browser extensions that can be used to show you advertisements. 

Sainsbury's have confirmed that they are aware of the fake offers, and are "advising customers to delete the message".

You should also follow WhatsApp’s advice for staying safe whilst using the messaging service.

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Dogs sniff out illegal trade

 Nearly £2500 worth of illegal cigarettes and hand-rolled tobacco were seized from five Coventry shops this week as part of the ongoing work of Coventry Trading Standards to clamp down on illegal trade.

Working with specially trained sniffer dogs, the Police and Immigration Officers, nine shops were visited following intelligence which suggested illegal tobacco products were being sold.

Read the full story.

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dogday

PPI telephone fraud warning revisited

ppi

In August, Trading Standards reported a PPI scam which involved the purchase of iTune vouchers in order to claim a 'refund'.

There has now been another report from a Holbrooks resident who received a call and was advised that they were due a PPI refund of £3750. The victim was told that they would have to pay £375 in iTunes vouchers to the courier who would be calling  later that day to drop off the refund cheque.

A second call then came  but the resident had already realised this was a scam and decided against answering. No doubt, had the resident taken this call, they would have been advised the company courier had been delayed, and asked if the voucher serial codes could be given to speed up the process.

Fraudsters are using iTunes gift cards to collect money from victims because they can be easily redeemed and sold on. The scammers don’t need the physical card to redeem the value, just the serial code on the back.

Trading Standards advise that if you receive any call out of the blue and are asked for personal information play it safe and hang up. It is better to hang up on a genuine call and do your research than to risk your personal details and lose your money to a scam.

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More cold calls offering call blocker devices

phone

Trading Standards have had a report from a Willenhall resident regarding an unsolicited telephone cold call offering a ‘Call Blocker’ device. 

The caller claimed that once plugged into your telephone line the device would prevent all unwanted sales calls.

The resident agreed to purchase one at a cost of £125 and paid by card over the phone. Once it arrived, it was incompatible with the resident's Pendant Alarm System and was returned. To date, the resident is still waiting for a refund and has not been able to make direct contact with the company as the address given was purely an accommodation address and the company phone goes unanswered.

There are a number of devices available, some are better or easier to set up than others so if you are interested in buying one, do your homework first and search the Internet for some recent online reviews by people who have bought a device before agreeing to buy something from someone who rings you out of the blue!

Remember, 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 call blocking device.

To register for FREE with the TPS visit www.tpsonline.org.uk or phone 0845 070 0707. 

In a recent case, a Director of a scam company selling call blockers was convicted for fraud and received a 5 year prison sentence. Read the full story here.

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Recall: Sainsbury's - MacLaren 1:10 radio control car

car

The following notice has been issued by the retailer:

Recall Notice: MacLaren 1:10 Radio Control Car
SKU: 130251158         
Product Description: MacLaren 1:10 Radio Control Car
Batch Code: DS160727

It has been brought to our attention by the manufacturer that there is a potential issue with the electrical circuit of the above product batch. Customers can identify the batch code under the car, on the battery and on the USB charger.

Customers' safety is an absolute priority and the manufacturer Mondo has decided to recall the toys with the above mentioned batch code with immediate effect.

We are asking all customers who have bought this product to return it to their nearest Sainsbury's store, where they will receive a full refund.

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Recall: Boots - Jack Wills sleep tee gift set

Jack Wills

The following notice has been issued by the retailer:

Recall Notice: Jack Wills - The Sleep Tee Gift Set 

Item Code: 65-44-606

Product Description: Cotton sleep tee and refreshing body spray

A number of Jack Wills Sleep Tees have been sold as part of a gift set and do not carry the warning 'Keep away from fire'.

The comfort and well-being of our customers is very important to us so we're asking you to stop using the product immediately.

Please return the product to your nearest Boots store where you'll receive an exchange for an alternative product or a refund.

If you've bought this for someone else would you please let them know about this as soon as possible.  No other items in this line are affected.

Customers who have concerns or need further advice are being advised to speak to someone at their local Boots store or to call the Boots Customer Care team on 0800 915 0004.

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

How to report scams