Action Fraud has warned that fraudsters are sending out emails claiming to be from a legitimate company called UK Parking Control LTD (UKPC) saying that you have a parking ticket. 

The latest victim is a Coventry based charitable organisation.

The convincing looking email entitled “Parking Charge Reminder” claimed someone has parked on one of UKPC’s client's private land. It contains randomly generated reference numbers and quotes a charge of £90.

The bottom of the email asks victims to click on “payment options and photos” for more information.

This link that is likely to contain malware which if opened may be downloaded and installed on your device. Malware can monitor the user’s activity to capture banking or other private information, which is then transmitted back to the criminals.

The genuine UKPC state they have received hundreds of reports from worried recipients and have confirmed that they would never contact people in this way. 

If you receive one of these emails, delete it, do not download the attachment and report it to Action Fraud.

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Coventry residents are being warned that a sinister text message claiming their homes will be repossessed is a scam.

A Wyken resident reported receiving a text saying their home would be repossessed the following day.

This scam had been spotted all over the UK and is not unique to Coventry.

It is reported that one person that was so concerned they called the number back, and got a message giving an emergency contact number of 07093091089. Research shows calls to this number from a landline cost up to 65p per minute and can also include a call set-up fee of up to 51p. From a mobile, this can cost up to £1.50 per minute. This number will also possibly go to a recorded message, the length of which is unknown.

Advice; If you receive such a text, please do not follow any instructions that may be given and delete the message. 

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Colleagues in Warwickshire have made us aware of cold calls made from a mobile telephone number, with someone selling 'monitored' burglar alarms. The caller claims that they are working on a 'Warwickshire Awareness Campaign' backed by Warwickshire County Council, and are selling devices that will alert the emergency services in the event of an emergency. The caller claims that the system is entirely free to the over 55s, bar a £300 installation fee.

Warwickshire Trading Standards have confirmed that Warwickshire County Council is NOT running any such campaign.

These cold calls are being made by rogue/high pressure alarm businesses wishing to install monitored alarms in residents' homes. The alarms are often offered free of charge or for a low cost, but after installation residents are pressurised in to signing up to a high priced monitoring contract costing several thousand pounds.

These calls could well come to Coventry residents, and the advice is as always to NEVER buy any goods or services from a cold caller.

Only this month, a cold calling criminal who conned elderly and vulnerable people out of over £150,000 has been sentenced to five years' imprisonment and disqualified from being a company director for eight years for his part in a fraudulent home alarm business.

Click here to read the full story

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The following notice has been issued by the retailer:

Tesco Decorative Flocked Penguin

We have been made aware that the feet on Tesco Decorative Flocked Penguins are not well secured and should they become detached the fixing spike is exposed which could be a potential injury hazard.

As a precautionary measure they are recalling this line.

Advice: If you have bought this product please return it, preferably with proof of purchase, to the place of purchase where a full refund will be given.

Contact Information: Customers who have purchased the above product or have any questions should contact Tesco Customer Services directly on 0800 505 555.

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Product recall from Tesco

The following notice has been issued by the retailer:

Bausch + Lomb have identified a potential fault affecting all batch codes of EasySept Hydro + 360ml products. Residual peroxide could potentially remain in the lens case after neutralization. If the residual hydrogen peroxide is above product specification, the user could experience burning/stinging, irritation, red eye and in rare circumstances other more serious health consequences.

As a precautionary measure, Bausch + Lomb are recalling all batch codes from customers. No other Bausch + Lomb products are known to be affected.

Advice: Please do not use and return the affected product to store where a full refund will be given. No receipt is required.

Contact Information: If you require further details, please contact Bausch + Lomb's Customer Services directly on 0845 602 2350 or email cs.vc.uk@bausch.com.

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