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The following Scams and Warnings have been received from Sussex Police, East Sussex Trading Standards and Neighbourhood Watch sources. |
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URGENT WARNING ON TARMAC DRIVEWAYS SCAMS
Trading Standards ‘Scambusters’ Team has issued an urgent warning to households in the Southern Counties and along the South coast about a gang of prolific tarmaccers who are ripping off victims for thousands of pounds. Intelligence is available that shows this gang are currently operational along the Brighton to Chichester corridor. They cold call on victims, sometimes falsely claiming to be working for Sussex County Council, and offer to carry out tarmacing work for reasonable rates. Once the work is started, the rates increase by up to ten times and consumers have been intimidated when they refuse to pay. The Scambusters team are working very closely with the Police and want any information about these traders. A spokesman for Scambusters said: “We would warn consumers that they should never deal with cold calling driveway companies under any circumstances. If they turn up on your doorstep then please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.” __________________________________ |
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BEWARE OF COLD CALLERS
· Be cautious when 'cold callers' offer to do work on your property. 'Cold calling' means unsolicited, i.e. you did not ask them to call. · If work is agreed in those circumstances and the cost is to be more than £35.00 then by law the trader must provide you with the agreement in writing including a 7 days 'cooling off' period during which you may change your mind and cancel the agreement. · If you think a rogue trader or bogus caller has called at your door then report it immediately either to the police 0845-60-70-999, or to Trading Standards using the Doorstoppers Hotline 01323 418228. · Please note this is a 'hotline' only, for calling out Trading Standards officers to attend at the time. For other enquiries call 01323 418200. |
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A PHISHING SCAM - Visa verification. A VISA scam invites you to protect your card's security by visiting a website and signing up for a personal password. The link actually diverts you to a site where details are required such as your VISA credit card number, expiry date, verification number and PIN. Visa never send their users emails requesting personal details. Banks likewise do not request such details by email. |
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INTERNATIONAL LOTTO COMMISSION A letter is currently circulating purporting to be from a lottery commission in Madrid saying that you have won a large sum of money. A 'claims processing form' requests information such as full name, bank details, next of kin, dates of birth and place of birth. It looks highly suspicious so don't be tempted to respond without legal advice. |
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MAIL ORDER FIRMS Consumers who are notified by mail order firms that they have won a large sum in a prize draw should read the small print. Local Trading Standards officers have seen numerous examples of the misleading mailings which imply that the recipient has won a large cash prize.
Customers have complained about a firm called ‘Vitamail’. The company promises prize winnings of up to £10,000 to people ordering goods from them. Whilst the advertisements suggest that you are already the winner of a large prize, tucked away in the small print is the reality – all they are actually offering is entry into a prize draw.
‘Vitamail’ use a UK mailing address but are actually based in France. Other companies using similar advertising techniques are usually based abroad makes it very difficult for the Office of Fair Trading to tackle the problem as they have to take court action in the countries of origin. Whilst the products ordered may be received and seem satisfactory, the marketing used to promote them is often grossly misleading. |
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RHEUMATISM and ARTHRITIS AIDS
Consumers are warned to be wary of companies calling them at home with promises of help for arthritis, rheumatism, etc. There has been an increase in the number of calls from companies selling over-priced equipment, such as massage beds and massage pads, to vulnerable people in their own homes.
A “pain clinic” company has been targeting sheltered housing units with offers of a group demonstration of equipment that, it is claimed, is available free on the NHS with a referral from the doctor. The demonstration is used to secure “private consultations” with the residents during which large sums of money have changed hands. The incidents that Trading Standards are aware of have given cause for concern, as high-pressured salesmen are not providing customers with a notice of their rights as required by law.
Experience has shown that goods purchased at the door are often extremely expensive and can be purchased elsewhere for a fraction of the cost. For example, adjustable beds that can be bought for £450 have been sold on the doorstep for £5500. A sonic massager that retails for around £50 has been sold on the doorstep recently for more than £250. |
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TRADING STANDARDS report that they regularly receive complaints about cold callers and rogue traders. There are 'salesmen' travelling Sussex selling everything from TVs and power tools to frozen fish or tarmac. All those reported were out to make money by taking advantage of the vulnerable and the trusting. BOGUS WATER BOARD OFFICIALS are regular tricksters leading to distraction burglaries so the message is - "stay alert, don't let them in and keep an eye on your more vulnerable neighbours". |
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Bogus charity collectors
company registration number is not a charity registration number); |
