@WAR - Trading Standards Scam Updates, 12/04/15

08/04/2015: Bogus council callers By Simon Cripwell on Apr 08, 2015 05:34 pm A North Warwickshire resident reported receiving an unexpected phone call from someone claiming they were calling from Warwickshire County Council to ask for their 'views'. A number of these bogus phone calls have been reported. The calls appear to come from foreign call centres and the caller usually falsely claims to represent a local council, phone provider or social care organisation. It is unclear why the calls are being made although it is possible they are to gather information on individuals that can then be sold on to businesses wanting to market goods or services. NEVER provide personal or financial information to cold callers. Read in browser » 08/04/2015: Cold caller con By Simon Cripwell on Apr 08, 2015 05:17 pm A resident alerted the service after receiving several unexpected phone calls relating to a 'call blocking service'. The caller claimed the resident owed £49. However, resident had never spoken to the caller before or purchased a call blocking service. The phone calls appeared to be coming from an overseas call centre. NEVER give out personal  or financial information to cold callers Read in browser » 08/04/2015: It’s a complete cover-up! By Simon Cripwell on Apr 08, 2015 03:46 pm Warwickshire Trading Standards has issued guidance on the news laws that came into effect on 6th April relating to the sale and display of tobacco products in small and medium sized shops. Read in browser » 08/04/2015: Bogus citizens advice pensions caller By Simon Cripwell on Apr 08, 2015 03:35 pm Warwickshire Trading Standards are warning residents to beware of cold caller pension fraudsters after a complaint received from a Rugby resident. Residents should NEVER provide any personal or financial information to cold callers and be particularly wary of any cold callers trying to give the impression they work for Citizens Advice by using combinations of the words 'Citizens', 'Pensions', 'Bureaux' and 'Advice' in the title of any service or business they claim to represent. Citizens Advice will not cold call you to offer you pensions advice. Trading Standards Officers are concerned that residents may think they are receiving a phone call from Citizens Advice Bureaux staff working for Pension Wise, a new Government pensions guidance service which is delivered by the CAB. Pension Wise has issued some information on how consumers can avoid falling for pensions related scams Read in browser » 08/04/2015: White line scam warning to owners and operators of car parks By Simon Cripwell on Apr 08, 2015 02:31 pm Individuals and organisations that own or operate car parks, including Parish and Town councils, churches and pubs/social clubs are warned to beware of cold calls from people falsely claiming to work for 'Highways' (and using an 0800 number). The caller begins by saying they are phoning about faded lines in the car park. They go on to claim they work for 'Highways' and have been painting lines on public roads but have left over paint and could repaint the car park lines. This is a scam perpetrated by rogue traders. These individuals have nothing to do with Warwickshire County Council or the Highways Agency. Residents are advised to refuse any offers of work and report them to Warwickshire Trading Standards on 03454 040506. Rogue traders typically charge thousands of pounds more than a job is really worth and their workmanship is very poor. More information on rogue traders and consumer rights Read in browser » 07/04/2015: It’s World Health Day 2015 By Simon Cripwell on Apr 07, 2015 05:18 pm It's World Health Day 2015 Warwickshire Trading Standards help to ensure food safety by routinely attending livestock markets to ensure that animals are fit for sale, are correctly identified and accompanied by the correct licences to ensure traceability of animals before they enter the abattoir and food chain. #safefood Read in browser »    Recent Articles: 30/03/2015 ‘Phish and Chips’ Small Business Cyber-crime and Data Security Event 19/03/2015 Bogus ‘British Gas’ callers warning to businesses 19/03/2015 ‘Cut and shut’ stairlift leads to prosecutions 11/03/2015: Pension Freedom scams 05/03/15 – Courier Scam Alert