Trading Standards have received a report from a Styvechale resident of a letter claiming to be from the Health Lottery UK. The letter states the resident has been awarded a prize of £300,000 in a recent draw.

On calling the telephone number in the letter, the resident was advised that a ‘fee’ of £1000 would have to be made to ‘release’ the winning cheque and bank details were requested.

Thankfully the resident realised this must be a scam and no information was handed over.

These letters are a scam and no prize is available. The Health Lottery will never send letters to inform customers that they have won a prize.

Trading Standards advise that anyone who receives a letter claiming to be from The Health Lottery and stating that they are a Health Lottery winner should not attempt to contact the phone number or use any of the contact details supplied in the letter and just dispose of it.

Many examples of lottery scam letters have bad spelling and grammar – see this as a warning that fraudsters are at work!

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Trading Standards is warning of cold callers in the Upper Stoke area of the city.

It has been reported that a male is going door to door offering building work and property repairs, making claims to be a limited company that according to Companies House ceased trading over 12 months ago!

Tactics often used by such callers are to tell householders that they have noticed a problem with the roof or gutters and urgent repair work is needed to prevent further damage. 

We would ask that if you have any elderly or vulnerable neighbours that you keep a look out for rogue traders especially if you notice cold callers in your area or anyone acting suspiciously. It would also help if registration numbers of vehicles being used by the cold callers are noted down and reported.

If you have any information that may help us track down these unscrupulous cold callers or you wish to report any incidents involving a rogue trader or doorstep crime, contact us on 034 5404 0506

REMEMBER - a trader who ignores any request by you to leave your home and not return commits a criminal offence.

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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has reported victims are being scammed out of more than £3.5 million a year by fraudsters tricking them into transferring an upfront fee before they are given a loan.

The regulator has seen a 44% increase in loan fee scams, where victims are tricked into paying an upfront fee for a loan which they ultimately never receive, and says the average loss is £740 per person.

This is now the most common type of scam reported to the Financial Conduct Authority with more than 1,276 reports in 2017 compared to 888 reports in 2016.

How to protect yourself

The FCA says fraudsters target those who are searching for a loan online - usually the most financially vulnerable, including those on lower incomes and with low credit ratings, who have limited access to mainstream credit. They may give various excuses for charging an upfront fee, such as claiming it's a deposit, admin fee or insurance for those with low credit ratings.

While there are legitimate loan brokers who charge fees in advance and are authorised by the FCA, being asked to pay a fee can be a warning sign of this type of scam. Other warning signs include:

• Being asked to pay in an unusual way e.g. by iTunes vouchers or a money transfer
• Being put under pressure to pay the fee quickly
• Being asked to pay multiple fees

If you are asked to pay an upfront fee ALWAYS check you're dealing with authorised firm on the FCA register and make sure the details match those you are being given.

If you think you're being approached about a scam loan you can report it to the FCA or call the contact centre on 0800 111 6768. 

You can also contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Trading Standards advise if you are in a circumstance where you have a bad credit history but are in need of a loan, consider seeking support from a Credit Union who can provide an effective and viable alternative to the so called ‘pay day lenders.’

To find your local credit union visit www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk or call the Association of British Credit Unions (Abcul) on 0161 832 3694.

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The following notice has been issued by the Electrical Safety First:

Product name: Argos Simple Value 2Kw Upright Fan Heater

Model number: FH03

Catalogue Number: 730/9687

Risk: The product is being recalled due to a risk of electric shock and burn hazard.

What to do: If you have purchased one of these fan heaters, please stop using it immediately and return to your nearest Argos store for a full refund or replacement product as soon as possible.

If you have any further queries please contact Argos customer services helpline on 0345 600 5388

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