@WAR - Scams update from WCC

15/11/2016 Call prevention cold call scams 15-11-2016 01:54 PM GMT Warwickshire residents are warned to beware of cold calls from people offering 'call prevention services'. These callers claim to be able to offer you protection against, ironically, cold calls, for a small monthly fee. In reality, if they do anything at all, the simply register your details with the Telephone Preference Service, a free to register service. Would you give your bank details to a stranger in the street? No? Then NEVER give your bank details to cold callers. Never buy goods or services from cold callers. ALWAYS put the phone down. Make a scam/rogue trader complaint to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506. Warwickshire Trading Standards Website Facebook Twitter Sign up to scam alerts at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/scams Please feel free to pass on or re-publish this email alert 15/11/2016 Scam ‘Warwickshire awareness campaign’ warning 15-11-2016 01:43 PM GMT Residents are warned to beware of cold calls made from a mobile telephone number, from someone selling 'monitored' burglar alarms. The caller claims that they are working on a 'Warwickshire Awareness Campaign' backed by Warwickshire County Council, selling devices that will alert the emergency services in the event of an emergency. The caller claims that the system is entirely free to the over 55's, bar a £300 installation fee. Warwickshire Trading Standards can confirm that Warwickshire County Council is not running any such campaign. This is a scam. These cold calls are being made by rogue/high pressure alarm businesses wishing to install monitored alarms in resident's homes.  The alarms are often offered free of charge or for a low cost, but after installation residents are pressurised in to signing up to a high priced monitoring contract costing several thousand pounds. NEVER buy goods or services from a cold caller. Make a scam/rogue trader complaint to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506. Warwickshire Trading Standards Website Facebook Twitter Sign up to scam alerts at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/scams Please feel free to pass on or re-publish this email alert 15/11/2016 BT scam warning 15-11-2016 01:37 PM GMT Warwickshire residents are warned to beware of a 'new' phone scam. A Rugby area couple reported receiving a phone call from someone falsely claiming to work for BT. The caller informed the couple that unfortunately, their direct debit payment for their phone hadn't gone through. They confirmed the victims name/address etc and asked who they banked with. They then informed them that their bank would call them back in 15 mins to discuss. The "Bank" (the fraudsters) then called back and tried unsuccessfully to obtain security question and other bank details from them. Make a scam/rogue trader complaint to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506. Warwickshire Trading Standards Website Facebook Twitter Sign up to scam alerts at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/scams Please feel free to pass on or re-publish this email alert 15/11/2016 ‘Charity’ books for schools sponsorship scam 15-11-2016 01:29 PM GMT Warwickshire businesses and charities are warned to beware of  cold calls from a rogue publication company claiming to be a charity. The bogus charity claims to be seeking sponsorship for books for schools. In reality, these books are hardly ever printed or distributed, making the sponsorship worthless. NEVER engage in conversation with these callers or ask to be sent any information. They will record phone calls and attempt to portray any interest as a verbal contract to buy/sponsor. Make a scam/rogue trader complaint to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506. Warwickshire Trading Standards Website Facebook Twitter Sign up to scam alerts at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/scams Please feel free to pass on or re-publish this email alert

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