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May 2023 Scam Newsletter

Stoke-on-Trent City Council sent this bulletin at 04-05-2023 02:28 PM BST

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People’s Post Code Lottery Scam

We have been notified that there are a number of letters being sent out with the People’s Post Code Lottery logo and branding.

The letters claim that your postcode has been randomly chosen from the electoral register and says your 'win' is part of a programme to award money from previously unclaimed prizes. The letter asks you to call a number to claim your prize. At this point the scammer will ask you to provide personal information, which will likely include your bank account details.

If you receive a letter like this always be suspicious especially if you have not subscribed to the People’s Post Code Lottery.

Always treat unsolicited prize draw and lottery winning letters with suspicion. You should never need to pay any money to collect your prize, a simple tip to remember is if you didn’t enter then you can’t have won, no matter what the letter may say.

Our advice is to always contact the People’s Postcode Lottery directly via a verified phone number (08081 098765), e-mail address or postal address if you genuinely believe that you may have won a prize.

Sim Swap Scam

This is also known as ‘sim splitting’ and this is a type of scam which allows the scammer to trick your mobile network into providing them with your phone number. Once they have control of your phone they will be able to receive all your calls and texts including one-time passcodes. This will allow them to access your bank account and social media platforms.

Scammers will usually use a technique called ‘spear phishing’ where you are targeted personally via text, email or a cold call. This is different from general phishing which are emails or texts which are sent out on mass. A spear phishing attempt will be targeted directly at you, usually using information gained from your social media platforms. The objective is the same to get you to give them your private information.

How to protect yourself

Restrict access to your social media profiles and reduce the amount of private information you show on them.
Be vigilant about phishing attempts.
Call your mobile network provider immediately if you get a message about changes to your sim or a new PAC request. Use the number from their official website in case the number in the message has come from a scammer attempting a phishing attack.
If you believe you have been a victim of sim-swapping, contact your bank immediately to stop payments going through.
Use two-factor authentication on apps and websites rather than one-time passcodes - it means your number will become less useful as a tool to access your account.

Holiday Fraud

Scammers are using fake online adverts, bogus sales calls, emails and text messages to offer very cheap prices to tempt you into booking a holiday with them.

Often, they will steal images of hotels or apartments from other travel websites and pass them off as their own. You might be asked to pay in cash or via bank transfer using Moneywise or Western Union, which can be difficult to trace and you won’t be able to get a refund.

Often the scammer will end the contract after you have paid and won’t confirm anything you have booked as the holiday they have offered will not exist.

How to protect yourself from holiday fraud

Don’t reply to unsolicited emails, texts, social media or calls with holiday offers. Links and attachments in emails may lead to malicious websites or download viruses.
Book a holiday directly with an airline or hotel, or through a reputable agent. Check whether they’re a member of the Association of British Travel Agents.
If you decide to deal directly with the property owner or a letting agent, ask them questions about the booking, room, location and area.
Don’t book on websites that don’t have a padlock icon (https) in the address bar, and be extra cautious if you’re asked to pay using bank transfer or cash; pay by credit or debit card if you can.

Clip For Cash Scam

Drivers are being warned about a new scam which is a twist on the traditional crash for cash scam.

This new scam involves scammers accusing drivers of clipping their wing mirror, they will then demand cash up front. Police are warning that this scam will often take place on residential roads.

The scammers will wait in a parked car and as you drive by they will throw an object at your car to make the sound of a crash. The scammer will then flash their lights and try to get you to stop before accusing you of clipping their wing mirror which is already broken.

At this point a demand for money will be made and in some cases if you refuse the scammer can become physically intimidating.

Money should never be handed over at the scene even if a genuine collision has happened.

If someone is accusing you of damaging their wing mirror, insurance details should be swapped as is legally required. If there is an imminent risk of danger the police should be called.

Scam Marshall

The National Trading Standards Scams Team are looking to recruit more Scam Marshalls.

A Scam Marshall is anyone who has been targeted by a scam and wants to fight back.

Scam Marshalls do this by sending any scam mail that they receive to the National Trading Standards Scams Team so that it can used as evidence in future investigative and enforcement work. The work by Scam Marshalls plays a huge role in helping to stop scam mail.

To learn more about the role Scam Marshalls and to sign up can be found here:

www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/scammarshals

Illegal Money Lending

The England Illegal Money Lending Team investigates and prosecutes illegal money lenders and provides support for those who have borrowed money from a loan shark.

If you have been a victim of a loan shark or know someone who may have been a victim then you can find more information here: www.stoploansharks.co.uk

Call Blockers

Funding has been secured for a limited number of call blockers which can be made available to vulnerable residents of the city who are targeted by scam and nuisance phones calls.

These units would be made available for loan free of charge for an initial period of six months.

Scam and nuisance calls can affect people in many ways, these types of crimes often cause financial loss, emotional distress, social isolation and loss of confidence.

A number of pilot projects were carried out by the National Trading Standards Scams Team and they found that the use of call blockers significantly increased wellbeing. It was estimated that the call blockers saved £20,227,167 during the pilot project.

If you think you would benefit from a call blocker or you are aware of anyone who would, please express an interest by emailing: Public.Protection@stoke.gov.uk

Please provide the name, address and contact number of the person who is making the application.

Please note that there are only a limited number of call blockers available and these will be allocated on the basis of need after an assessment has been made.

Take control of who contacts you

Register with the Telephone Preference Services (TPS) to reduce unwanted sales calls. You can register for free on 0345 070 0707 or go to www.tpsonline.org.uk
Register with the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) to reduce unwanted mail. You can register for free on 0207 291 3310 or go to www.mpsonline.org.uk

• Register with the Fundraising Preference Service (FPS) to reduce unwanted charity contacts. You can register for free on 0300 303 3517 or go to www.fundraisingregulator.org.uk/the-fundraising-preference-service

Fakes Hotline Number

If you think someone is selling fake goods you can report it by ringing the fakes hotline number: 01782 238444

When leaving a message please include as much information as you can such as:

What types of products are being sold and how much they are being sold for
The name and address of the seller, if you know it
Where the items are being sold, any vehicle being used or a description of where the goods are stored
Where the seller can be found
Details of any printed advertising, online advertising or social media posts