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In this issue:
Trading Standards is warning of a new phishing email (above) being received by Coventry residents. It alleges to be confirmation of a Council Tax refund due for £495.82.
The email attempts to trick the recipient into clicking on a link contained in the message. The link does not take you to Coventry City Council Tax Department but a fake fraudster's website where you are asked to provide personal and bank details.
How to protect yourself
- Do not click on any links or open attachments contained within any unsolicited emails.
- If an email appears to have come from a person or organisation you know of but the message is unexpected or unusual, contact them directly via another method to confirm that they sent you the email.
- If you receive an email which asks you to login to an online account via a link provided in the email, instead of clicking on the link, open your browser and go directly to the company’s website yourself.
- If you have clicked on a link in the email, do not supply any information on the website that may open.
- If you think you may have compromised the safety of your bank details and/or have lost money due to fraudulent misuse of your cards, you should immediately contact your bank, and report it to Action Fraud.
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Trading Standards are warning residents to be aware of pre-recorded messages being left on voicemail alleging money has been taken from an account.
This warning comes after one of our local Councillors reported receiving such a call. It stated that £600 had been taken from their account followed by a request to press a number on the telephone key pad for further information or to be connected to a call handler.
It would appear that these are attempts to obtain personal information which would have included bank details.
If you receive a cold call which is a pre-recorded message, Trading Standards advise not to press any keys on your phone but instead hang up on the call.
If you have received one of these cold calls which you believe to be a scam you can report it to Action Fraud via their online fraud reporting form or by calling 0300 123 2040.
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Trading Standards have been made aware of a phone call received by a small local business.
The call claimed to have come from ‘The Highcourt Agency’ and made claim to there being an outstanding debt to be paid.
When the business owner challenged this, the caller stated they would be at the business premises at 3pm and hung up. Needless to say, no one arrived.
If the owner had continued with the call, no doubt a bank transfer would have been suggested in order to avoid a visit from the bailiffs.
Trading Standards advises that if anyone receives such a call to always take the full details of the person who is calling, the company they are calling from and make some independent enquiries as to whether the caller is genuine. Do not rely on any contact details provided by the caller.
To report a fraud call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk.
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Coventry Trading Standards is again warning the public to be wary of bogus telephone calls claiming to be from HMRC.
This comes after a report from a member of Council staff who received such a call on a work's mobile number.
Thankfully it was realised that this was a scam and the call was terminated. It would appear that this was an attempt to obtain personal information which would have included bank details.
HMRC has issued guidance with examples of phishing emails and bogus contacts.
HMRC also advise that if any details are inadvertently disclosed, contact them immediately on security.custcon@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.
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Whirlpool UK Appliances Ltd is to issue a product recall of tumble dryers not yet modified from consumers’ homes.
The announcement follows an intervention on 4 June by the government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) which informed Whirlpool of its intent to serve a Recall Notice.
- Under the recall, consumers with an unmodified affected Whirlpool tumble dryer will be entitled to a new replacement machine, which will be delivered, installed and the old one removed, at no cost
- A refund based on product age or a modification will be available to consumers who do not want to take up the offer of a replacement dryer
- Owners of unmodified affected tumble dryers should unplug and contact Whirlpool.
- Recall covers all models of vented and condensing tumble dryers produced between 1 April 2004 and 30 September 2015 and sold in the UK under the Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Proline and Swan brands WITH THE EXCEPTION OF those which have been modified or replaced in accordance with the agreement between Whirlpool UK Appliances LTS and Peterborough Council of September 2015
- Consumers can contact the Whirlpool Helpline on 0800 151 0905 for more information or visit the Whirlpool website for a full list of affected machines. This list is also available on https://productrecall.campaign.gov.uk
Read the full press notice.
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Argos has been working closely with Milton Keynes Trading Standards to review the maintenance and safety information that was provided with some Bush tumble dryers.
As a result, additional maintenance and safety information to all customers who bought one of these tumble dryers is being offered.
Argos has linked a potential fire risk to ‘incorrectly installed and poorly maintained tumble dryers'. It is urging users to clean the lint filter after every load and clean the vent hoses to make sure that lint doesn’t restrict airflow. This can cause the dryer to overheat and catch fire.
Follow these steps to check if your Bush tumble dryer could pose a fire risk:
- Disconnect the dryer from the power source before cleaning.
- Check for lint in the vents and vent hoses.
- Air from the vent hose shouldn’t flow into a chimney or vent flue.
- The vent hose should not be connected to ducting that ventilates rooms with a fireplace.
- Clean any lint from the filter by hand or with a cloth.
If you have any questions about how to perform these checks, call 0345 257 7271
For general enquiries about your Bush tumble dryer call 0800 0113462
Read the safety notice with all the advice from Argos which lists the affected models.
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For
more information on scams, visit: www.coventry.gov.uk/scams
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