Scam Alerts

Please pass on the information contained in these reports to neighbours, friends and family.

Unless otherwise identified, reports are provided by courtesy of Staffordshire County Council (Community Development Team)

www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/communitydevelopment/

Reports will be removed from this site after approx 8 weeks.

For further CONSUMER ADVICE and PROTECTION

Link to their WEB site .. www.staffordshire.gov.uk/community/consumeradviceandprotection/

Miller Smiles are one of the internet's leading anti-phishing sites, maintaining a massive archive of phishing and identity theft email scams.

Link to their WEB site .. http://www.millersmiles.co.uk/

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Counterfeit Alcohol Warning

Trading Standards would like to remind consumers to be aware of illicit or counterfeit alcohol products, namely spirits and wine, within the County.

We kindly request that the following advice is observed;

1. Any reports of premises selling suspected illicit or counterfeit alcohol should be immediately forwarded to Trading Standards by calling the Trading Standards Fakes Hotline on 01785 330 356. Information received will then be handled confidentially and appropriate action taken.

2. There are a number of indicators to look out for to assist identification of suspected illicit and counterfeit alcohol which are as follows;
Inferior labelling quality;
Spelling mistakes on the label;
The use of self adhesive labels that have been stuck on by hand;
Loose bottle tops with inferior seals;
Lack of a laser etched lot code;
No manufacturer's name and address;
No duty stamp;
Incorrect duty stamps i.e. the use of a whisky duty stamp on a bottle of vodka.

3. Intelligence suggests that there are also a number of both lesser known and previously unknown brands, which may also be counterfeit products. Specific illicit products to be aware of are as follows:

Arctic Ice Vodka - 70cl and 35cl
Passion Vodka - 70cl
Five Lakes Vodka
Red Star Vodka - 70cl
Drop Vodka - 70cl

Produced: 06^th December 2011

Mobility Sales Cold Caller Warning

Staffordshire Trading Standards wish to advise vulnerable residents and their carers to beware of any mobility company cold calling residents and purporting to be or acting on behalf of Social Services while attempting to make an appointment for a representative to visit. Past reports received suggest that calls often follow the same pattern:

Continually telephone customers until they agree to be visited.
Advise customers that they are connected to Social Services or other voluntary or Public Health organisations.
Arrange a time to visit but turn up earlier or later than arranged.
Arrive unannounced the day after the scheduled visit.
Pressure customer to purchase large pieces of equipment such as stair lifts or beds. Often the equipment is not suitable for the customers needs.

Residents are advised to never engage with cold callers of any nature e.g. telephone, face to face, letter or email. Trading Standards would advise you to discuss with your family and Health and Social Service professionals what your mobility needs are. Trading Standards would also advise that when making major purchases consumers should attempt to obtain quotes in writing from reputable companies.

No Staffordshire resident should feel pressured into make any commitment to purchase expensive mobility equipment before seeking professional Health and Social Care advice. If you are unsure and have a named or key worker please contact them for advice before making any decision to purchase expensive mobility equipment.

Produced: 06^th December 2011

DANGEROUS ENERGY SAVING PLUGS

Staffordshire Trading Standards are warning of a dangerous energy saving scam targeting the elderly. The Trading Standards Institute is urging consumers to be aware of telephone scammer's cold calling to offer the energy saving devices.

The scammer will claim to be an energy supplier or to be working in partnership with them. They offer the device for £99 and state it can save 40% off energy bills. Trading Standards have received hundreds of complaints and have had a number of the devices tested. The devices failed to satisfy electrical safety standards and do not deliver on the energy saving claims.

The caller often appears to be very genuine by already knowing the consumers details, their energy supplier and even some of their bank or card details. Consumers do not realise they have been scammed until they receive a dodgy device with instructions in broken English and the invoice will name an unknown supplier and often an American address.

If you or someone you know has fallen to this scam please report the matter to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit their website at http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/

Produced: 06^th December 2011

PC ‘Fine' Scam

Trading Standards Officers are warning PC users to be on their guard against a new scam recently reported to them via Staffordshire Police. Reports have been received from people who have had screen messages pop up advising them that they were required to pay a £100 ‘fine' for viewing illegal pornography and terrorism-related content. The users found that their PCs had been locked by the pop-up in an attempt to force payment.

Enquiries into this particular scam are ongoing. However, officers suspect the pop-ups are likely a result of unwitting downloads by the users, or tricked into installing something under false pretences, such as bogus Anti Virus software, or adult site access software.

The installation would unlikely be done without permission from the user, although it is possible that unpatched PCs could be vulnerable to stealthy, so-called ‘drive-by' attacks from compromised websites. These often target vulnerabilities in outdated browsers, such as Internet Explorer 6.

PC users can minimise their vulnerability by observing their general security advice:

1. Keep PC operating systems and software fully patched. Windows users should ensure that their machines are set to automatically check for Windows updates.
2. If you are still using it, upgrade from Internet Explorer 6 immediately.
3. Never open attachments or click on links in unsolicited emails
4. Do not allow unsupervised Internet access to minors
5. Install and regularly update legitimate antivirus, anti-spywareand firewall software
6. Be aware of previous warnings and advice on fake antivirus software (link)
7. Never be tempted to install counterfeited or ‘hacked' software products, as these often include malicious code.
8. Enjoy the Internet, but proceed with caution, and be sceptical of offers that seem too good to be true.

Produced: 7^th December 2011

WARNING: "CASH ONLY" PAYMENTS FOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Are you thinking of buying home improvement goods and services such as kitchen or bedroom furniture etc from a trader visiting to your home?

Does the trader want CASH PAYMENTS ONLY up front or on delivery? Staffordshire Trading Standards advise consumers to be cautious in these situations. Before you pay cash please take steps to check:

•1) The Identity the trader that wants your custom:

Ask the sales person for identification and paperwork such as a receipt.

Is there a "legal name"* and a genuine address for the trader on these?

Do business details on the identification match with paperwork / receipt?

* Example: The word "Limited" may appear at the end of the name

•2) That the trader's premises exist - in case things go wrong later:

If you have not visited the address for the trader, can you be sure the premises exist? Especially if your contact with them stems only from a

*Newspaper Advert *Leaflet *Website *Knock at the door

•3) Even if you are happy with 1) and 2) above consider:

* The trader's motives for insisting on cash. Note: Using a visa debit card or paying over £100 (up to £30,000) on credit card gives you extra protection.

* Paying after delivery ONLY when you have checked all items are correct.

* Get quotes from other traders and do not be pressurised by any trader offering "one off" or limited "low prices" as these may cost more in the end

* Check with someone you trust for a recommendation on a trader

* Trader Register scheme www.traderregister.org.uk/ 01785 330888

* Is the trader providing you with statutory 7 days cancellation rights?

* If unsure contact Trading Standards or Consumer Direct (08454 04 05 06)

Produced: 11^th November 2011

NEW POLICE NON EMERGENCY NUMBER - 101

From Tuesday 8 November communities across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent will have access to 101, the national non-emergency telephone number for the police service in England and Wales.

The number is already in use in London, Wales, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and Sheffield, but it is now being rolled out across England on a phased basis during 2011. From the experience of these initial areas that 101 is well received by the public and has led to improvements in public satisfaction and confidence when calling the police. Further information can be obtained by visiting www.staffordshire.police.uk/101

Calls to 101 will cost 15 pence per call, no matter how long you are on the phone - this applies to both landlines and mobile phones.

In an emergency, the public should continue to call 999, such as when a crime is in progress, when there is danger to life or when violence is being used or threatened.

The current number (0300 123 4455) will remain in place whilst communities and partners become familiar with 101.

Produced: 08^th November 2011

DANGEROUS 13 AMP PLUG

Trading Standards have become aware that a number of potentially dangerous equipment power leads may have been supplied to consumers in the area

The power leads which may be supplied with computers or other electrical equipment have the appearance of being a normal power lead but have 3 fundamental problems

The size of the plug top moulding is smaller than it should be

There is no provision for a fuse in the plug

The earth pin is shielded in the same manner as the live and neutral pins

This is extremely dangerous.

When the plug is inserted into a 13 amp socket the shielding on the earth pin prevents it making contact with the earth contact in the socket putting the user at risk of serious injury or even death if a fault should occur on the equipment

The omission of a fuse means that there is no adequate protection to the equipment should it develop an electrical fault

We are asking consumers to take the time to check the plugs on their electrical equipment and if any look like the one shown below or have a shield on the earth pin (which is the longest pin of the three) to stop using it and contact your retailer or Trading Standards

Produced: 10^th November 2011

SELLING YOUR CAR ?

Staffordshire Trading Standards have become aware of a scam affecting people selling their cars. Reports have been received from people who have advertised their cars for sale in national publications and online. They have then been contacted by email by persons offering to buy their car. The person offers to pay for the vehicle using PayPal and claims that they are working away from the UK so they will send a private courier to collect the car. The email advises you how to open a PayPal account online.

This is a scam as the person who makes the contact by email will then use the chargeback method to withdraw the money back from your PayPal account once their ‘private courier' has collected the vehicle.

PayPal advise that if a buyer collects an item in person, ask them to bring along proof of identity. Please see PayPal chargeback guide for ways of staying safe. www.paypal-marketing.co.uk/safetyadvice/ChargebackGuide.htm

When selling a car you are advised to check the guidance issued by the publication or website. This will also help to protect you from scammers and other discrepancies.

Produced: 10^th November 2011

BOGUS PAYMENT PROTECTION INSURANCE REFUNDS (PPI)

Trading Standards have today been made aware of a company cold calling local residents claiming that they are owed a substantial refund for over paid Payment Protection Insurance (PPI).

The caller informs people that they have a cheque for £4,000 waiting but will need to pay £2,500 by Western Union or UKASH vouchers to be able to claim the ‘money due'.

Often the cold caller will know personal details such as a persons name and address. They may also quote a genuine company name and address details or websites and claim that it is their organisation. You are advised to never engage in conversation with cold callers.

This is an old scam using a new tactic. Banks and UK Councils DO NOT contact customers/residents about tax/charge refunds. UKASH vouchers, once purchased, are treated like cash and you should never give out any voucher code/reference number to people by phone or email.

If you have been a victim of this scam then you must act fast to block any payment by contacting UKASH on: 0808 234 6244

If you have received any such calls then report it to action fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report it online at http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/

Produced: 01^st November 2011

MORPHY RICHARDS - ELECTRIC BLANKET RECALL

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service are urging anyone who has had an electric blanket free as part of the electric blanket campaign since 2009 to check the model.

"Even if you don't think anything is wrong with your blanket, if it is the 75311 single control Double Over Electric blanket please contact Morphy Richards to arrange your replacement."

Risk Reduction Officer, Angie Leigh

Morphy Richards are recalling their double over electric blankets, model number 75311 - single control models only.

The blankets can potentially develop a fault which may cause the blanket to overheat and catch fire. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service were supplied the blankets by Morphy Richards for their annual electric blanket campaign and a small number of the affected models have been given out around Staffordshire.

Risk Reduction Officer, Angie Leigh said: "We are keen to work with Morphy Richards to ensure the blankets are returned to them and investigate how this fault came about. The affected blankets would have been given out by ourselves and Trading Standards from September 2009 to recent weeks.

"Morphy Richards will send a courier to collect your electric blanket if it is the model being recalled and a replacement blanket with be with you free of charge within five working days.

"The people who would have received a free blanket from us will be living in Staffordshire and over the age of 60 so if you have any relatives, friends or neighbours who you know have received a free electric blanket from us please ask them to check the model number or do this for them if you can. Even if you don't think anything is wrong with your blanket, if it is the 75311 single control double over electric blanket please contact Morphy Richards to arrange your replacement."

Morphy Richards can be contacted on 01709 572570 Monday to Friday or email blankets@morphyrichards.co.uk [url: mailto:blankets@morphyrichards.co.uk].

Produced: 31 October 2011

PSYCHIC HEALER SCAM

Trading Standards have received reports of psychic scams. The scams come in many different forms, but all ask for money in return for psychic or other spiritual services.

You'll receive an email, letter or telephone call claiming to be from a clairvoyant, medium or psychic. The stories used by psychic scammers vary, but communications often offer:

a solution to future troubles ‘foreseen' by a psychic
to remove a jinx or curse that's affecting you or will affect you
the chance to buy or donate cash for a lucky charm or potion from a psychic
an opportunity to benefit a psychic blessing or good-luck spell
psychic insights or secrets to help or rapidly improve your personal or financial wellbeing.

Scam psychic communications from fake clairvoyants and medium scammers often come out of the blue. Psychic scam mail may appear to be personally addressed to you, but in fact the same scam letter is usually sent to hundreds or thousands of people.

If you're a victim of a psychic scam

Psychic scams can be particularly unpleasant if received by vulnerable people or those already experiencing distress or misfortune. If you think you've been approached by a psychic or clairvoyant scammer, do not respond or send money. If you've already sent money, do not send any more. Destroy any scam or fraudulent mailings and warn friends and relatives to be on the lookout for similar psychic scams.

The Office of Fair Trading estimates over 3 million people in the UK fall victim to mass marketed scams every year, collectively losing £3.5 billion. Fewer than 5% of psychic scam victims report their experience.

If you believe you have been the victim of any such scam then you should also report the matter to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report it on their website: http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/report_fraud

Produced: 01^st November 2011

TELEPHONE SCAMS

Staffordshire Trading Standards have been receiving a number of reports of telephone scams in operation. The nature of the calls are widely varied and have been reported to have been received to both telephone calls and text messages. Below are a number of examples of reports received:

Caller states they are from BT - you have not paid your bill, can they have your card details?

A text message stating you are entitled to compensation for ‘the accident you had'.

An alarm company may telephone to arrange a visit by a sales person to provide you with a free alarm system - the sales person may then fail to inform you of a monthly fee for having the system installed.

A caller may inform you that you are due some sort of bank or council tax rebate - again they ask for your bank details to pay you the rebate. Again this may come in the form of a text message.

Callers may even be able to provide you with some of your personal information such as name or address. Protect yourself and never provide any personal information to a cold caller. Always telephone the company directly from a number on your bill or get the number from a telephone directory to confirm if the call was genuine.

You can register both your landline and mobile numbers with the following FREE services and are advised to do so on a YEARLY BASIS:

The Telephone Preference Service - 0845 070 0707

Silent Call Guard - 0844 372 2325

Produced: 01^st November 2011

PDS POSTAL SCAM - CHAIN EMAIL

For a number of years a chain email has been circulating reporting a postal scam that takes place in the run up to Christmas.

The email reads ‘A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number). DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize. If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been charged £15 for the phone call'.

Although this was an actual scam that took place, it was found and shut down in 2005. In October 2008, Phonepay Plus (formerly ICSTIS) put out the following statement:

The chain email refers to a service that was shut down by us in December 2005.
We subsequently fined the company that was operating the service from Belize £10,000.
The service is NO LONGER RUNNING and has NOT been running since December 2005.

If you receive this chain email, please do not forward it on to friends and family. This only serves to keep the chain going year on year, and provides unnecessary worry and anxiety to those people who think this scam is still taking place.

It does however make sense to be aware of scams that might come through your letter box. If you have concerns about any letters or parcel delivery cards you may receive, please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Produced: 19 October 2011

CREDIT CARD / PIN THEFT

I have recently had a fraud investigation where the injured party was a retired couple and the crooks have "surfed" their shoulder for the PIN number in ASDA Wolstanton. The crooks have then "accidentally bumped into" the injured party as they have left the store, causing the purse to fall, and the following exchange has occurred :

Crook - "sorry, is this yours?" Crook then presents a £10 note to the I/P and both parties agree that it must have fallen out of the purse.
Both parties then part company with the I/P slightly confused, but apparently relieved that their money has been returned to them. It is then only later that the I/P realises that the debit / credit card is missing.

Once the card is in possession of the Crooks, it is heavily spent upon to the tune of about £7000 to £8000 pounds! This is in the space of around 36 hours, before the I/P is alerted to unusual spending activity on the card by the card company.

This had happened across the borough in the last few months at various locations. Investigation reveals that the venues where the cards are subsequently used in each case are almost identical in the West Midlands area. Clearly a team of folk are working our area.

My plea is that folks are made aware of "shoulder surfing" for PIN numbers which is an age-old problem...but one which has expensive consequences if vigilance is not exercised.

If you need more information, please do not hesitate to contact me...just thought it may be worthy of inclusion in your bulletins for vigilance.

For further information contact ...

Irene Lee
Locality Action Group Administrative Assistant
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
01782 742569

www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk/communitysafety

DIGITAL SWITCHOVER

Throughout 2011 the analogue television signal will be switched off throughout the country and replaced with a digital signal.

Staffordshire is currently served by five different transmitters, and the switchover will take place at different times, depending on where you live. There are three stages left to be completed. The switchover dates for each transmitter take place in two stages and are as follows:

Waltham - 17 August and 31 August 2011

Sutton Coldfield - 7 September and 21 September 2011

Fenton - 7 September and 21 September 2011

Residents will need to re-tune their television after both switchover dates for their relevant transmitter have taken place.

You are advised not to purchase any additional aerials or equipment until after your switchover has taken place. Some rogue traders may advise that you need a new aerial, however it is worth waiting to see if your signal is adversely affected before paying for work to be carried out. If you have a good television picture then it is unlikely you will need a new aerial after the switchover.

If you find you do need a new aerial, contact the Trader Register for a list of reputable installers in your area on 01785 330888. If you think you need to purchase new television equipment, shop around, making sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

If you need extra help, or to find out which transmitter you receive your television signal from, contact Digital UK on 08456 50 50 50.

Produced: 8^th August 2011

UKASH LOAN SCAM

Staffordshire Trading Standards are again warning residents of a scam circulating involving UKASH vouchers. Residents have been receiving cold calls from people claiming to represent a loan company.

The caller goes on to say that the resident will have no problem obtaining a

Loan and in order to access the money they need to pay a fee upfront to purchase UKASH vouchers and transfer the money.

At Trading Standards we would advise that you:

Don't transfer money to loan companies using money transfer services when applying for loans.
Don't go ahead with a loan if a company approves it and then demands a fee before you get the money.
Do be cautious if a loan company cold-calls you.
Do some research about the business offering the loan - look for correct phone numbers and physical addresses and ask for information in writing .

If you have been a victim of this scam then you must act fast to block any payment by contacting UKASH on: 0808 234 6244

If you have received any such calls then report it to action fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report it online at http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/

Produced: 25^thAugust 2011

EMPLOYMENT SCAM

Reports have been received in Staffordshire from people who have responded to a job advertisement on a genuine recruitment website. The correspondence and employment contract received from the ‘company' appeared legitimate, but the job description referred to him using his bank account and a wire transfer service to receive and transfer money on. This is known as a money mule scam.

A money mule is a person employed to transfer money or goods overseas either in person, via a courier service, or electronically using a wire transfer service such as MoneyGram or Western Union. The person recruited as a money mule is often unaware that the money or goods they are transferring are stolen.

Money mule scams often lead on from other types of fraud, with scammers attempting to dupe victims into laundering money on their behalf, by recruiting them through job advertisements shown in newspapers or on genuine recruitment websites, or by sending out spam emails and texts.

We advise consumers to:

Remain vigilant against job offers or opportunities to earn ‘easy' money
To be cautious of job offers or opportunities from persons or companies based overseas as there may be difficulty in verifying whether such persons or companies are legitimate or not
To be suspicious of job advertisements that contains grammatical or spelling errors or broken English
To not provide bank account details to other persons unless they know and trust that person.

Money mules may be subject to criminal prosecution for their actions.

Produced: 8^th August 2011

TELEPHONE & TEXT SCAMS

During 2011, Staffordshire Trading Standards have been receiving a number of reports of telephone scams in operation. The nature of the calls are widely varied and have been reported to have been received to both telephone calls and text messages. Below are a number of examples of reports received:

Caller states they are from BT - you have not paid your bill, can they have your card details?

A text message stating you are entitled to compensation for ‘the accident you had'.

An alarm company may telephone to arrange a visit by a sales person to provide you with a ‘free' alarm system. Additional charges will then occur!

A caller may inform you that you are due some sort of bank or council tax rebate - again they ask for your bank details to pay you the rebate. Again this may come in the form of a text message.

You can register both your landline and mobile numbers with the following FREE services and are advised to do so on an ANNUAL BASIS:

The Telephone Preference Service - 0845 070 0707

Silent Call Guard - 0844 372 2325

Produced: 08^th August 2011

UKASH SCAM ALERT

Staffordshire Trading Standards are again warning residents of a scam circulating involving UKASH vouchers. Residents have been receiving cold calls from people claiming to represent a UK Council, bank or similar official organisation.

The caller goes on to say that the resident is owed a Tax or bank charge refund and in order to access the money they need to go and purchase UKASH vouchers, then call a number and quote the voucher code to the person on the other end.

Often the cold caller will have the resident's name, address etc and may quote genuine address details or websites and claim that it is their organisation.

If you have been a victim of this scam then you must act fast to block any payment by contacting UKASH on: 0808 234 6244

If you have received any such calls then report it to action fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report it online at http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/

Produced: 08^thAugust 2011

BOGUS CALLER WARNING

Staffordshire Trading Standards are warning local residents to be on their guard against bogus callers, distraction burglars and cold callers.

Distraction burglary and bogus caller crime is where criminals call at homes posing as officials or asking for your help with something. They make up a story to try and gain access into your home. They generally work in groups of two or more, so if they are successful in gaining access, one can keep you talking whilst the other sneaks in to search for money and valuables.

With the summer months upon us the reports of the number of door step cold callers has increased. Trading Standards advice is to never deal over the door with cold callers. When you need work carrying out always get three quotes and ask family, friends or neighbours for recommendations. You can also contact Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent's Trader Register on 01785 330 888 or visit their website at http://www.traderregister.org.uk/

There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself and your home:

Check the identity of anyone calling at your door, before deciding whether to let them in
Phone the company they are claiming to be calling on behalf of, using the number in the telephone book, not one the caller provides you with.
Don't keep large amounts of cash at home. It really is much safer in the bank.
Keep doors locked - even when you are at home.
If you have a door chain, use this every time you answer the door.
Set up passwords with your utility companies so that if they call at your home, they have to tell you the password being allowed in.
If in doubt, keep them out. You don't have to let anyone into your home if you don't feel comfortable.
If you feel threatened by someone calling at your door, or suspect a bogus caller may have visited you, dial 999 and report the incident to the Police.

Produced: 19 July 2011

CHARITY CLOTHING COLLECTIONS

Many charities legitimately collect unwanted clothing through the use of collection bags to raise funds for their cause. However, there is increasing concern amongst local residents regarding the number of collection bags being distributed and the legitimacy of these collectors.

Many of the bags that come through your letter box will be genuine. However, some will be companies who will sell your goods on for profit. As long as they detail this somewhere on the bag or flyer, they are not breaking the law. There have also been incidents where bags left on driveways for collection have been stolen before the charity has chance to pick them up.

Charities report losing upwards of £3million each year through theft of clothing and bogus collections. Evidence suggests that a lot of clothing ends up being sold abroad.

So, rather than leaving a bag of unwanted items on your driveway for collection it is worth considering donating items directly to a charity shop of your choice. If you have a lot of items, or are unable to get to a shop, many will collect from your home at a time that is convenient to you.

You can also check out an agency before donating clothing, by contacting the Charity Commission on 0845 300 0218 or look at http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/ They will be able to tell you if the agency is a legitimate charity, or a profit making company.

If you have concerns about a clothing collection operating in your area, please report this to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Produced: 19 July 2011

COMPUTER SCAM - STILL IN CIRCULATION

Staffordshire Trading Standards are receiving increasing reports from people who have been contacted over the telephone by companies claiming they can protect home computers from viruses.

Alerts have been sent out regarding this type of scam on numerous occasions over recent months; however residents are still calling to report being contacted by these scammers. The scammers claim that your computer had been infected with a virus, and for a fee they will be able to clear the virus, and protect you from any future computer infections.

They may be operating under the guise of Microsoft or Windows, or for companies such as Supportonclick. Their tactic is to convince the user that something is wrong with their PC and purchase software that they do not actually need. The fraudsters use leading, generalised questioning techniques that often have the effect of convincing the user that their individual circumstances are known to the calling company.

Trading Standards advise that effective online security is crucial, and users should ensure that their PCs are running up-to-date anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall software. However, good security need not be complicated or expensive - many security vendors provide free versions of their software for personal use.

PC users are advised to read up on online security via http://www.getsafeonline.org/. They also advise turning off any ‘auto-preview' features in their email software.

If you think you may have been a victim of this type scam, please report it to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Produced: 19 July 2011.

TELEPHONE SCAMS

During 2011, Staffordshire Trading Standards have been receiving a number of reports of telephone scams in operation. The nature of the calls are widely varied, below are a number of examples of reports received:

Caller states they are from BT - you have not paid your bill, can they have your card details?

The caller says they are from the Telephone Preference Service - can they have your card details to collect £49 for the service you receive?

An alarm company may telephone to arrange a visit by a sales person to provide you with a free alarm system - the sales person may then fail to inform you of a monthly fee for having the system installed.

A caller may inform you that you are due some sort of bank or council tax rebate - again they ask for your bank details to pay you the rebate.

You can register with the following FREE services and are advised to do so on a yearly basis:

The Telephone Preference Service - 0845 070 0707

Silent Call Guard - 0844 372 2325

Produced: 19 July 2011

ROGUE TARMACING TRADERS

Reports have been received from the Tamworth area that rogue tarmacing / block paving contractors are operating in the area. Traders of this nature may travel around to other areas of the County so please be aware.

The traders will appear highly professional as they wear reflective jackets and have glossy leaflets. They are known to use several vehicles.

The traders operate by cold calling, their work is of poor quality and they have an extremely aggressive manner in order to obtain money.

Trading Standards are asking people to be on their guard and to report any such activity. If anybody is approached by such workers please report concerns to the Trading Standards Rapid Response number on 07773 792 252. If you come into contact with the traders and they become aggressive please dial 999 immediately.

Produced: 08 June 2011

UKASH SCAM ALERT

Staffordshire Trading Standards wishes to inform residents of a scam circulating involving UKASH vouchers. Residents have been receiving cold calls from people claiming to represent a UK Council, bank or similar official organisation.

The caller goes on to say that the resident is owed a Tax or bank charge refund and in order to access the money they need to go and purchase Ukash vouchers, then call a number and quote the voucher code to the person on the other end.

Often the cold caller will have the resident's name, address etc and may quote genuine address details or websites and claim that it is their organisation.

This is an old scam using a new tactic. Banks and UK Councils DO NOT contact customers/residents about tax/charge refunds. Ukas vouchers, once purchased, are treated like cash and you should never give out any voucher code/reference number to people by phone or email.

If you have been a victim of this scam then you must act fast to block any payment by contacting UKAS on: 0808 234 6244

If you have received any such calls then report it to action fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report it online at http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/

Produced: 26 May 2011

TELEPHONE SCAMS

Staffordshire Trading Standards would like to remind residents about the many telephone scams that are taking place across the County. Residents have reported being contacted by a cold caller, often claiming to be from a Government Department or local Council, stating that they are entitled to some form of rebate.

The caller then usually goes on to request the resident's bank account details. This is a scam. Government departments and local Councils do not contact residents in this way to offer rebates on things such as Council Tax.

You should never give your personal information, especially bank account details, to cold callers.

The caller may provide a number that you should call if you wish to claim your alleged rebate. We advise you not to call any number given to you by a cold caller as there is a risk it will be a high rate number.

If you believe you have been the victim of any such scam then you should also report the matter to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report it on their website:

http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/report_fraud

Produced: 19^th May 2011

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BT INTERNET SCAM

Staffordshire Trading Standards would like to inform all BT users who have an online account to take care when responding to emails that ask for their account information.

A BT customer was recently sent an email which stated that, due to congestion, certain BT accounts were being suspended and that if the user wished to continue using their account they would have to provide their account username and password otherwise their account will be "deleted" or "terminated".

The email was a fake and is known as a "phishing" email. Phishing emails are sent to users appearing to be from a trustworthy organisation or company that aim to fool the user into handing over their private account information.

Common things to look out for are:

Spelling & grammar or how the email is worded
The address the email was sent from
Links to web pages not belonging to the actual company or organisation
The email will usually say that something bad will happen if you do not provide the requested details

Companies will never send you emails asking you to confirm your account information out of the blue. If an email looks official, again, always check the actual email address the email from sent from. If you are uncertain as to the origin of the email contact the company by phone to confirm that the email was in fact sent by them.

Never respond to dubious looking emails or provide any private details including financial information unless you are absolutely certain the email/website is legitimate.

Produced: 12^th April 2011

COUNCIL TAX SCAM

Staffordshire Trading Standards have been made aware of a Council Tax telephone scam targeting the Stafford area.

Residents have reported to Stafford Borough Council that they are receiving calls from someone claiming to work at the council. The caller tells residents that they are owed a Council Tax or Business Rate refund and in order to claim the refund they must call a number.

This is a scam as Stafford Borough Council does NOT contact residents to offer such refunds.

We strongly advise you to never give your financial details out over the phone and to not call any number provided by unsolicited callers. There is a chance you could be calling a high rate number.

If you feel you are due a refund then contact Stafford Borough Council directly on 01785 619 000.

Produced: 12^th April 2011

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COMPUTER FAULT SCAM

We have previously alerted about various computer based scams, where residents have received phone calls from someone claiming to be from Microsoft or Supportonclick, suggesting that you have a problem with your computer and offering to fix it for a fee. This scam is yet again in operation.

Neighbourhood Watch have reported that a local resident has recently received such a call. The victim agreed to pay £130 to have a problem with her computer resolved and her computer was accessed remotely. She realised too late that this was a scam, but did ask the caller for his telephone number. She then contacted her bank to stop the payment.

The telephone number she was given by the scammer was a local number, and on further investigation turned out to be for an elderly resident living in her area. Clearly, the scammer was just working through names in the telephone book.

These scams take advantage of people who have limited computer knowledge and can easily be talked in to thinking there is a problem.

If you think your computer isn't functioning at full capacity, contact a local IT specialist. Do not accept help from a cold caller and do not pay a fee over the telephone it someone contacts you out of the blue suggesting you may have a problem. Always seek advice from a reputable company.

If you think you may have been a victim of this type scam, please report it to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Produced: March 2011.

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DATES ON FOOD - WHAT THEY MEAN

The following information has been taken from the Food Standards Agency website.

Durability indicators on food products are only valid if foods have been stored according to instructions. The life of products can be extended if they are frozen providing any instructions on the packaging are followed. Once a pack has been opened, any other storage or cooking instructions should also be followed.

Best Before

Best before dates appear on a wide range of preserved and other foods. The best before dates are intended to indicate quality rather safety therefore food that has exceeded the marked best before dates is not necessarily harmful, but its texture and flavour may begin to deteriorate. Eggs should not be eaten after the best before date because they contain salmonella bacteria which may start to multiply after this date.

Use By

Use by dates are shown on foods that could put health at risk if they are consumed after the specified date. These products are foods such as prepared meals, meat, fish and dairy products that will deteriorate very quickly. Foods that have expired beyond their use by date should not be consumed as there could be serious risks to health.

Display Until and Sell By

These dates often appear close by the best before date or use by dates. These are used by retailers to aid stock control, the relevant dates from a consumers point of view are the best before and use by dates.

Trading Standards is responsible for the quality of food sold in shops and restaurants. The Food Standards Agency and Trading Standards work with manufacturers to ensure that labels on food and drink comply with legislation. Food samples are regularly analysed to ensure consumer safety and ingredient declarations are correct.

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WATCHDOG FORUM QUERIES

JANUARY 2011

We have received feedback from Watchdogs who have said that it would be useful to know what issues / queries other Forums are raising. Below are the details of the queries raised around the county during the January Forums, and the outcomes or answers. This will form a new part of the feedback we provide to Watchdogs following the Forums. If you have any comments or questions, please contact the team in the usual way.

Moorlands
Query	Outcome
Forum would like further information regarding the different dates given on food.	Information sheet to be included with the minutes of the January meeting.
Pre-packed meat products in Tesco only display a price per pack on the label. Should the label show a price per kg also?	Referred to Food Officer. Price per kg should be displayed, however this could be displayed on the shelf. Officers to check when next in Tesco store for routine visit.
Where can old, working televisions be disposed of?	Can be taken to Community Recycling Centres, alternatively, the Furniture Mine in Stoke-on-Trent may be able to pass these on to families in need. Contact them directly for further information on 01782 846111.
Warburton's have recently changed the packaging for their wholemeal loaf. Ingredients state that soya flour is now used as well as wholemeal flour. Is this allowed?	Referred to Food Officer. Bread and Flour Regulations 1998 state ‘all the flour used as an ingredient in the preparation of the bread must be wholemeal. The term "wholemeal" is not defined in law, however it is generally accepted that wholemeal flour is the entire wheat grain, which contains the bran and the germ'. A wholemeal loaf has been sent to Scientific Services for analysis. Further feedback will be supplied once testing is complete.
Reports of local coal supplier delivering coal in short measure.	Referred to Business Support Team for further investigation.
Eco-seal operating in Leek/Cheadle area. Being quite persistent.	Referral made to Fraud and Special Investigations team from info/monitoring.
Advised to contact breast feeding cafés in Moorlands area to give talks to mums.	Sarah to make contact with cafes to make offer of talks.
Further information requested regarding Made in Staffordshire.	A business case is currently being put together to develop a Made in Staffordshire brand to support products made or grown in the County. Local businesses are being asked for their backing.
Clarity requested regarding alcohol free zones.	In alcohol free zones, Police are able to confiscate alcohol where a drinker is or is deemed likely to cause crime or disorder.
Scratch card companies prosecuted in High Court.	Feedback to be provided once High Court Judgement has been reached.
Churchill Stairlifts have recently gone out of business. Company who have taken over have been contacting customers telling them they will have to purchase a new stairlift as won't be able to find parts if break. Offering £1000 discount. Being quite forceful and threatening on the phone.	Referral made to Fraud and Special Investigations team from info/monitoring.
Newcastle
Query	Outcome
Is there any legislation under the Disability Discrimination Act regarding food labelling?	Referred to Food Officer. No current legislation regarding food labelling and the Disability Discrimination Act.
Cannock
Query	Outcome
Are there any regulations regarding labelling of ingredients in products baked in store at supermarkets?	Food baked in store only needs to labelled with the names of the food, and in some instances, a meat content and presence of additives. There is no requirement to include ingredients listing, allergen information or best before/use by dates.
Who is responsible for labelling of medicines?	Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Government agency responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work.
Issues raised regarding parking in Hednesford on race days.	Parking enforcement is dealt with by District/Borough Councils. For information or advice contact your local Council and ask to speak to the Civil Parking Enforcement Team.
Lichfield
Query	Outcome
Are there any regulations regarding labelling of ingredients in products baked in store at supermarkets.	See outcome for same query raised in Cannock.
Can the information regarding Digital Switchover be sent to Housing Scheme and libraries for inclusion in their community folders?	Factsheet to be sent to all libraries and all Housing Schemes co-ordinators.
Further information requested regarding charity clothing collections.	Alert/factsheet to be put together for distribution to all Watchdogs.
Stafford
Query	Outcome
What is the legislation regarding Country of Origin labelling?	Food needs to be labelled with a country of origin if the label becomes misleading when it is omitted. For example a pizza which shows an Italian flag on the box will need to show a country of origin if it is not made in Italy. There is guidance on this which suggests that more information should be provided as best practice.
Details requested for approved aerial installers.	Trading Standards recommend that residents wishing to have a new television aerial installed contact the Trader Register on 01785 330888 or http://www.traderregister.org.uk/ to find a suitable tradesman in their area. Trading Standards advice that anyone using the Trader Register still act with caution and obtain three quotes before deciding which trader to employ.
Charity collectors in Stafford High Street are becoming a serious problem. They are frequently operating in the town and are very persistent.	Stafford Borough Council are currently looking into this issue. Nicola/Sarah to link in with SBC for further information.
Scam phone calls regarding purchase of insurance for Sky boxes have been received by local residents.	To send an alert to all Watchdogs raising awareness of this scam.
Everest are operating in the Moss Pit area of Stafford advising residents that their double glazing is out of date.	Referral made to Fraud and Special Investigations team from info/monitoring.
Further information requesting regarding computer use and phishing.	Factsheets to be made available at the next round of Forums.
Company visiting homes on Brocton area selling aerial photos. Claiming this is part of a project. Is it legal for companies to take aerial photos?	There doesn't appear to be any legislation governing aerial photography. In general under UK law you cannot prevent photography of private property from a public place.
Complaints of cars for sale on grass verges.	If there is evidence that the person is in business or selling numerous cars, Trading Standards can get involved to ensure any advertisements are correct. If there are more than two cars being sold within 500 metres of each other, this would be dealt with by district/borough councils. If the vehicle is untaxed, the DVLA or Police will deal with,
Do deli counters need to display use-by dates.	No, not for customer information. There may be information on the back of label for staff as they will need to know when products should be used by or removed from sale.
Legislation regarding Chinese lanterns.	There doesn't appear to be any legislation currently governing the use of Chinese lanterns. The Civil Aviation Authority recently issued a request that event organisers setting off the lanterns register their event in advance so that aerodrome authorities can notify British airspace users that they may encounter lanterns. There are also the numerous concerns raised by farmers relating to possible injury to livestock and the risk of ignition to standing crop and buildings when a lantern returns to ground.
South Staffs
Query	Outcome
Boiler room scams are still an issue.	To re-issue an alert regarding these scams to Watchdogs
Tamworth
Query	Outcome
Local residents have purchased new televisions from Co-op and paid extra for installation/set up. All were told that new aerials would be needed. One lady paid £160 for a new aerial only to discover the equipment was faulty and not her aerial.	Raised with investigations team who will look into this further.
Jumpers purchased from a stall on Tamworth market looked as though they had been worn. Possibly came out of charity bags.	The stall holder doesn't have to state that items are second hand, but cannot imply that items are brand new if they are not.
Possibility of looking into mobile phone apps as these are open to abuse by scammers.	Raised with management as a possible project to be carried out in the future.
An alert to sent out to Watchdogs regarding buying pets on line and paying for items via money transfer.	Alert sent to all Watchdog in February.
Argos sale brochures advertising items that when try to purchase are told they are out of stock, or stock hasn't been received yet.	Most companies only have limited stock available in sales and it would be difficult to prove whether reasonable stock levels were available. Companies usually get round this by stating ‘while stocks last' on promotional material.
Intelligence received regarding premise selling alcohol to under 18s.	Information passed to Community Safety Officer for Tamworth.
A courtesy car was offered through car insurance when car went into garage for repairs. When went to collect car the garage made a charge for the use of the courtesy car.	To check terms and conditions of insurance policy or contact insurance provider regarding who is responsible for the cost of the courtesy car. If policy states that the policy holder is entitled to a free courtesy car, then it may be up to the insurance company to provide a refund.
Information requested regarding sale of eggs from home and farm gate.	No requirements for labelling apart from price.
Is labelling of pet food subject regulation? Labels on some brands tend to be foreign.	There are comprehensive labelling requirements where pet food is concerned. Trading Standards are happy to look at any examples where there is suspicion of non-compliance.
East Staffs
Query	Outcome
To provide Watchdogs with the telephone number for Home Fire Risk Checks.	You can arrange a free Home Fire Risk Check by contacting the Fire Service on 0800 0241 999.
When will the analogue signal for radios be switched off?	It is anticipated that the analogue radio signals will be switched off by the end of 2015, however this will be announced two years in advance.
What is the best advice for people wishing to sell gold items?	Shop around - don't just accept a price from the first gold buyer you contact. Ensure that you are aware of any small print which may mean that you have to respond to offers made within a set period time (mainly with postal services).
How much does it cost for a young person to apply for a PASS proof of age card?	PASS (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme) endorses different card suppliers. Cards can be purchased from suppliers over the internet or by post as follows: Citizen Card - £12 Proof GB - £12 Validate UK - £15

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REMINDER - CENSUS 2011

We recently sent out an alert notifying you about the Census due to take place in March 2011 when every household will receive a census questionnaire, which must be completed and returned, by law, on or around 27 March 2011. It is nearly Census day, and we have been asked to remind residents of a few important points.

Census collectors have been employed to chase up any late questionnaires, and will be visiting households from late March to 6 May. They may visit your home to check why you haven't sent your form back, to offer help and advice in the completion of the questionnaire, or to provide you with another questionnaire if yours has become lost of damaged.

You should only receive a visit from a census collector if you fail to return your completed questionnaire, or you have requested a visit through the census helpline and a census co-ordinator has contacted you in advance to arrange a suitable time.

Census collectors will always carry identification which show the 2011 Census and ONS logos. If you have any doubts as to the identity of 2011 Census staff call the helpline on 0300 0201 101, before giving out any information or letting anyone into your home. This helpline will be open from 4 March to 15 May 2011. A census collector should always show their photo card ID. If they don't automatically show you, ask to see it.

A census collector will not ask you to provide any bank, debit card or credit card details. They will not ask for any personal information, other than for you to confirm your name, address and date of birth and they will also not come into your home, unless invited to do so.

If you have any concerns about the census, or people calling at your home claiming to be working for the census, please contact the helpline on 0300 0201 101.

Produced: 8 March 2011

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DIGITAL SWITCHOVER

Throughout 2011 the analogue television signal will be switched off throughout the country and replaced with a digital signal.

Staffordshire is currently served by five different transmitters, and the switchover will take place at different times, depending on where you live.

The switchover dates for each transmitter take place in two stages and are as follows:

Nottingham - 30 March and 13 April 2011

The Wrekin - 6 April and 20 April 2011

Waltham - 17 August and 31 August 2011

Sutton Coldfield - 7 September and 21 September 2011

Fenton - 7 September and 21 September 2011

Residents will need to re-tune their television after both switchover dates for their relevant transmitter have taken place.

If you need extra help, or to find out which transmitter you receive your television signal from, contact Digital UK on 08456 50 50 50.

Produced: 8 March 2011

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To: Clough Hall Residents Association

Scam Alerts on Twitter

Dear All If you are a Twitter user or know anybody who is you can now follow 'staffordshirecc' to receive our Watchdog alerts as well as lots of other information about what is happening within the County Council. This will not replace how you usually receive alerts but may open the scheme up to others who are not aware of us. It also provides the opportunity for you to comment along with other users about the alerts.

Yours sincerely

Sarah & Nicola

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BANK CHARGES REFUND SCAM

Staffordshire Trading Standards are warning residents to be wary after receiving a report of a bank charges refund scam.

A local resident was contacted by telephone, supposedly by a well known high street bank. The caller claimed the resident had been awarded £4,500 by the courts for bank charges paid. In order to claim, he needed to send them 10% of the money awarded. They proceeded to ask for his debit card details. The resident refused and ended the call.

We advise everyone to be on their guard, and to not divulge bank account or credit / debit card details over the phone, email or doorstep.

If you think you may be entitled to reclaim bank charges, write to your bank directly. Martin Lewis, the Money Saving Expert has written a comprehensive guide to reclaiming bank charges, which can be found on his website http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/

If you think you may have been a victim of this type of scam, please report it to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Produced: 01.03.11

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CHARITY CLOTHING COLLECTIONS

Charities report losing upwards of £3million each year through theft of clothing and bogus collections. Evidence suggests that a lot of clothing ends up being sold abroad.

You can also check out an agency before donating clothing, by contacting the Charity Commission on 0845 300 0218. They will be able to tell you if the agency is a legitimate charity, or a profit making company.

If you have concerns about a clothing collection operating in your area, please report this to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Produced: 01.03.11

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DEBT CLEARANCE SCAMS

Staffordshire residents have reported being contacted by text message or phone by debt management companies who claim they can ‘rid you of your debts'.

A growing number of companies are claiming they can lower interest rates, or reduce the amount owed. But be wary, some of these will charge hefty fees for this service, or may be scammers simply trying to get hold of your personal information.

If you are in need of debt advice, there are many legitimate organisations out there that can help you and the sooner you contact them the better.

Start off with a phone call or visit to your local Citizens Advice Bureau or contact National Debtline both of which will be able to offer you up to date, impartial advice about who can help and what your next course of action should be. You can contact National Debtline by telephone on 0808 808 4000. The number for your local Citizens Advice Bureau can be found in your local phone book.

If you would like advice as to whether a creditor or debt collector is acting lawfully, you should contact Trading Standards, via Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Produced: 01.03.11

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ALERT RE-ISSUE

TELEPHONE CREDIT CARD SCAM

During 2010, Staffordshire Trading Standards raised awareness of a credit card scam. Reports of this scam are still circulating.

The scam works by the caller claiming to work for your credit card fraud department and they are phoning to report suspicious transactions on your card. In order to verify you are the card holder and in possession of the card, they ask you to provide the three digit security number detailed on the back of the card. They are able to provide you with personal information such as name and address, which leads you to believe the call is genuine.

They already have the rest of the card details, and the security number enables them to make purchases over the internet or telephone.

When you receive your next statement, you find purchases have been made without your knowledge,

If this was a genuine call from your card company they would never ask for anything on your card. They already know the information as they issued the card!

Protect yourself

Do not pass on personal or financial information to cold callers over the phone, by letter or email.
Contact your bank or credit card provider immediately if you believe you may have given out account details.
Review your statements on a regular basis to see if there have been any unauthorised transactions.

Produced: 01.03.11

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ADVERTISING SCAM AFFECTING BUSINESS

Staffordshire Trading Standards are warning local businesses to be vigilant following reports that some have received unsolicited approaches from companies requesting payment for their services.

These services usually relate to advertising, and local businesses have reported receiving invoices, letters or emails requesting payment within 25 days.

The invoices are in fact invitations to purchase advertising space, but are worded in such a way that leads businesses to believe that they have already received a service.

If contacted in this way, businesses are advised to:

Ask for proof that the advertisement was agreed to
Verify the booking of any such advertisement with colleagues
Inform the company in writing that the advertisement concerned has not been authorised by them and will not be paid for

If businesses receive any unsolicited communication from advertising companies asking for payment, they are advised to contact Staffordshire Trading Standards Business Advice Line on 08453 303 313.

Produced: 21.02.11

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BOGUS CALLER WARNING

Staffordshire Trading Standards are warning local residents to be on their guard against bogus callers and distraction burglars.

This type of crime is extremely rare, however February is traditionally the time when these types of burglaries peak.

There are several things you can do to safeguard against this type crime.

Check the identity of anyone calling at your door, before deciding whether to let them in.
Phone the company they are claiming to be calling on behalf of, using the number in the telephone book, not one the caller provides you with.
Don't keep large amounts of cash at home. It really is much safer in the bank.
Keep doors locked - even when you are at home.
If you have a door chain, use this every time you answer the door.
Set up passwords with your utility companies so that if they call at your home, they have to tell you the password being allowed in.
If in doubt, keep them out. You don't have to let anyone into your home if you don't feel comfortable.
If you feel threatened by someone calling at your door, or suspect a bogus caller may have visited you, dial 999 and report the incident to the Police.

Produced: 21.02.11

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COUNCIL TAX REBATE SCAM

Staffordshire Trading Standards are warning local residents following numerous reports of people receiving telephone calls or emails claiming to be offering council tax or income tax rebates.

A local resident was recently contacted by a caller claiming to be from the Head of British Councils in London. They advised that she was owed a rebate on her council tax and tried to get her to part with her bank account details. In this instance, the resident refused and questioned the caller who hung up.

Other residents state that the callers have given them telephone numbers and reference numbers to try and prove themselves to be genuine callers.

Many reports have also been received from people who have been sent emails claiming to be from HMRC advising that they are entitled to an income tax rebate.

We advise everyone to be on their guard and to not give out bank account or credit / debit card details over the telephone, internet or doorstep.

HMRC state they will not contact anybody by email to advise of a tax rebate. They also advise they do not issue tax rebates via Paypal.

If you are in any doubt about the authenticity of a call, then check with the organisation they are claiming to represent. You can find the telephone number for local District or Borough Councils in the phone book or on your council tax bill. Don't use a number provided by a caller who you think may not be genuine.

If you think you may have been contacted by a scammer such as this, please report it to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Produced: 21.02.11

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DNA TEST KIT SCAM

Staffordshire Trading Standards are advising residents to be wary of DNA Test Kits claiming to provide a genetic blueprint to determine, amongst other things, personal success, affluence and individual fulfilment. The kit is received as unsolicited mail and in order to take advantage of the offer you are asked to provide a swab of your DNA, along with a fee of £29.99.

Information contained in the kits promises unrealistic health and lifestyle benefits that cannot be determined through DNA testing.

It appears to be a scam to trick recipients into paying processing fees by providing bank account or credit / debit card details. The questionnaire contained in the kit may also be intended to collect personal information from recipients.

If you receive a kit such as this you are advised not to respond. Remove any personal information, such as name and address and throw the kit away.

Be wary of extravagant promises such as this and remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be suspicious if you're contacted out of the blue and remember, scammers are very good at making their scams look authentic and believable.

Never give out your bank account details and / or passwords to someone you don't know. Trustworthy firms will never contact you to ask for this information.

Produced: 21.02.11

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BOGUS TPS CALLS

Staffordshire Trading Standards are alerting local residents to bogus telephone calls claiming to be from the Telephone Preference Service (TPS), requesting payment for the usually free service.

TPS have confirmed they are aware of a telephone scam which uses their name to try and con people into paying for a call blocker service. TPS will not call a subscriber of their service to ask for personal details or payment to complete registration.

The TPS is a free service, which records your preference not to receive unsolicited sales or marketing telephone calls made from within the UK. It is a legal requirement of all organisations that they do not make unsolicited calls to numbers registered with TPS.

If you do receive a call from someone claiming to be from TPS or a similar sounding organisation asking for personal information or charging you for this service you are advised to check that you have registered with the TPS and not another organisation. Once you have registered, TPS will not contact you again.

If you wish to register your details with TPS, you can do so by phone on 0845 070 07 07 or via their website http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/

Produced: 14 February 2011

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CENSUS 2011

In March 2011, every household will receive a census questionnaire, which must be completed and returned, by law, on or around 27 March 2011.

A census collector should always show their photo card ID. If they don't automatically show you, ask to see it.

A census collector will not ask you to provide any bank, debit card or credit details. They will not ask for any personal information, other than for you to confirm your name, address and date of birth and they will also not come into your home, unless invited to do so.

If you have any concerns about the census, or people calling at your home claiming to be working for the census, please contact the helpline on 0300 0201 101

Produced: 14.02.2011

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NEW SILENT CALL RULES COME INTO FORCE

On 1^st February 2011 new rules came into force designed to prevent consumers being harassed by repeated silent calls from the same company.

Companies are being warned to comply with new regulations, or face fines of up to £2million.

During 2010, Ofcom received over 9000 complaints about silent calls, with over 70% stating they received two or more calls in one day from the same company.

Silent calls can cause significant distress to some, as calls are often received repeatedly over a period of weeks or months. It can also lead to people feeling that they are being specifically targeted.

Ofcom will continue to monitor complaints about silent and abandoned calls, but expect to see a reduction in the number of complaints they received

Silent calls are usually generated using ‘automated diallers' and if set incorrectly more numbers are dialled than there are operators to take the calls.

If you are having a problem with silent calls, it is worth registering with the Telephone Preference Service on 0845 070 07 07 and Silent Call Guard on 0844 372 2325. These services together will help cut down on the number of calls you receive from companies trying to sell you products or services and those carrying out market research.

If you would like to make a complaint about a specific company regarding the number of silent calls you receive from them, contact Ofcom on 0300 123 333 333 or 020 7981 3040, Monday - Friday between 9am and 5pm.

Produced: 14.02.11

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TELEPHONE SURVEY SCAM

Staffordshire County Council has received reports from a local resident who has been contacted by a caller supposedly carrying out a telephone survey on behalf of Staffordshire County Council.

The person calling advised they were conducting a survey on behalf of Staffordshire County Council, but did not give their name. They were quite insistent that the survey be conducted and proceeded to ask personal questions relating to marital status, disability, and whether the resident was married and owned their own home.

Staffordshire County Council do, from time to time, carry out telephone surveys. However, the caller will always introduce themselves and will not pressure residents to take part in the survey. The questions asked are carefully chosen so as to limit the amount of personal information people are being asked to give out and records are kept so staff know who has been contacted and when.

If you have been contacted by someone claiming to be carrying out a survey on behalf of Staffordshire County Council, and you wish to check its authenticity, or if you have concerns that the call may not have been genuine, please report this to the central Contact Centre on 0300 111 8000.

Produced: 14.02.11

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COMPUTER SCAM STILL IN CIRCULATION

Staffordshire Trading Standards are receiving increasing reports from people who have been contacted over the telephone by companies claiming they can protect home computers from viruses.

Alerts have been sent out regarding this type of scam on numerous occasions over recent months, however residents are still calling to report being contacted by these scammers.

The scammers claim that your computer had been infected with a virus, and for a fee they will be able to clear the virus, and protect you from any future computer infections.

PC users are advised to read up on online security via http://www.getsafeonline.org/. They also advise turning off any ‘auto-preview' features in their email software.

Produced: 3 February 2011.

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HMRC SCAM

Staffordshire Trading Standards are warning of increasing numbers of scams purporting to be from HMRC offering tax refunds. Usually received via email they ask residents to complete forms with various pieces of personal information and bank account details.

HMRC state that they would not contact people about a tax rebate over email and advise not to visit the website contained in the email, or give out any personal or bank account information.

HMRC also advise that they do not issue tax refunds via Paypal.

If you think you may be eligible for a tax refund, you are advised to contact HMRC direct, by telephone and not respond to emails.

If you receive emails purporting to be from HMRC, you are advised to delete them from your inbox and then from your deleted items. Do not respond to them in any way.

If you think you may have been a victim of scam such as this, please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Produced: 3 February 2011

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MONEY TRANSFER SCAMS

Staffordshire Trading Standards are warning local residents about the dangers of using money transfer systems such as Western Union or Money Gram to pay for goods or services from people they don't know.

Money Transfers are fast, easy to use and a great way to transfer money to people you know and trust. However, the fact that transfers of this sort are virtually untraceable means they are favoured by scammers.

Recent research carried out by the Office of Fair Trading shows that 39 per cent of people who lost money to a scam in the past 12 months were victim of a money transfer or advance fee scam. These dupe people into handing over their bank details or paying an up-front fee by leading them to believe they are entitled to an inheritance, donating to charity or even purchasing pets over the internet.

To protect yourself from this type of fraud, it is useful to remember the following:

Never send money to a stranger using a money transfer service.
Beware of deals or opportunities that seem too good to be true.
Don't use money transfer services to pay for things like online auction purchases.
Never send money to pay for taxes or fees on foreign lottery winnings.

If you think you may have been of victim of a money transfer scam, you can report this to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Produced: 2 February 2011

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SCAMNESTY MONTH

February is National Scam Awareness Month and Staffordshire Trading Standards are urging all residents to send in any scam mailings they receive.

The Office of Fair Trading run campaign is designed to increase awareness and understanding of scams, and to encourage people not to respond to these types of mailings.

Mass marketed scams are sent out to thousands of people every day and may take the form of a letter, email or telephone call and are designed to dupe people into sending money or handing over bank account details.

The OFT is encouraging people to remember the following tips:

Stop, think and be sceptical. If something sounds too good to be true it probably is.

Do not be rushed into sending off money to someone you do not know, however plausible they might sound and even where an approach is personalised.

Ask yourself how likely it is that you have been especially chosen for this offer - thousands of other people will probably have received the same offer.

Think about how much money you could lose from replying to a potential scam - it's not a gamble worth taking.

If you are unsure of an offer, speak to family or friends and seek advice from Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 before sending any money or giving out any banking or credit card details.

Produced: 2 February 2011

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BT CANCELLATION NOTICE SCAM

A phishing scam is currently doing the rounds, purporting to be from BT. It claims that a recent bill payment has been rejected, and you must follow a link in the email to update your details or risk having the service cancelled.

This phishing email is not from BT, and claims made that payment has failed and services may be cancelled is untrue.

This is an attempt to scam customers into visiting a bogus website to obtain personal and financial information.

Phishing scammers regularly send out thousands of identical emails in the hope of tricking just a few victims. The information unsuspecting victims give is subsequently used for credit card fraud and identity theft.

Internet users should be cautious of any emails claiming the need to follow a link, open an attachment or update personal and financial information.

If you receive emails about unpaid bills or rejected payments, always contact the company concerned using the telephone number given on your paperwork. They will be able to confirm the authenticity of the email, before you unsuspectingly supply personal information to a scammer.

Banks, service providers and legitimate companies are unlikely to contact their customers via email to request personal information or advise about unpaid bills.

If you think you may have been a victim of a phishing scam, you should report the matter to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via their website at http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/

Produced: January 2011.

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CASH POINT SCAM

A number of incidents of cards being stolen at cash points and used to fraudulently withdraw cash have been reported nationally.

Thieves have been using a technique called ‘Lebanese Loops' to trap cards inside cash machines and withdraw money from the bank accounts of unsuspecting victims.

Victims find they insert their card into a cash machine, only for it to become trapped. The perpetrators then obtain the pin number by offering to ‘help' and suggesting their victim enter the pin number again while they watch. Once the victim leaves the cash point thinking their card has been retained, the perpetrator removes the loop and the trapped card and withdraws money from the victims account.

Please be vigilant when using cash machines and do not divulge your pin number to anyone. If you see anything unusual or anyone acting suspiciously report this to Police. If your card is retained, call for help and if possible do not leave the machine.

If possible try to use cash machines located within banks as these are less likely to have been tampered with and are usually checked by staff on a daily basis.

If you have lost any money to fraud, please report this to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via their website at http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/

Produced: January 2011.

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COMPUTER FAULT SCAM

These scams take advantage of people who have limited computer knowledge and can easily be talked in to thinking there is a problem.

If you think you may have been a victim of this type scam, please report it to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Produced: January 2011.

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BANK REFUND SCAM

Staffordshire Trading Standards Officers have received information of a scam bank refund operating in the area.

The scam begins with a telephone call from someone purporting to be able to refund money back from a bank. They state that they will call to your home with a cheque for £3,800 which has been authorised by the "County Court in London".

The caller then asks you to pay £220.00 to them via Moneygram. The caller then subsequently states that they will visit your property to collect the money.

If you receive a call of this nature you are advised to end the call immediately and report this to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Produced: December 2010

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JOB ADVERT SCAM

Staffordshire Trading Standards have received reports of local residents who have responded to delivery driver jobs advertised on the Job Centre Plus website.

The advert gave no company name, just a mobile phone number. When the job seekers phoned this number, they were asked to text their name, address and date of birth and an application form would be sent to them.

The following day, the job seekers received parcels, addressed to them, for which they had to sign for. They unwittingly signed for the parcels and a few minutes later received a telephone call from the number on the job advert. They were told that there had been a mix up with the application form and the parcels, which had been wrongly delivered, and that a courier would call shortly to collect them.

The job seekers later received bills for very expensive mobile phones. Contracts had been taken out in their name, using the information provided for the application form, and as they had signed for the packages were liable for the cost.

This advert has now been removed from the Job Centre Plus website.

Please be aware of packages being delivered to your home. At this time of year, parcels are obviously being sent in high numbers. If you receive an unexpected parcel, addressed to you, check the contents and if you haven't ordered it contact the company who sent it to arrange its return.

If you have signed for a package, and then give it to someone who claims it is theirs, you may find that you are charged for the contents as the company may have your details on record and signature to prove you have received it.

Produced: December 2010

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FALSE CASH BACK SCAM

We have received information from several residents about a scam operating in supermarkets concerning cash back transactions. Trading Standards have NOT had any actual reports of this happening to Staffordshire residents and information suggests that this is a chain email originating from America.

If you receive this email please do not forward it on.

Trading Standard would always advise people to check the amount before entering your pin and to also check your receipt before leaving the shop. Any discrepancies should be reported to the cashier immediately.

Produced: December 2010

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POSTAL & EMAIL SCAMS

Trading Standards would like to remind people to protect themselves from postal and email scams as there is an increase at this time of the year. The scams all vary in their nature however they all claim to be offering you sums of money arising from either prize draws, official sources or long lost relatives.

If you receive an email of this nature please delete it without responding or providing personal information.

If you receive any post of this nature you should destroy the letter and again do not respond or provide further information. You can register for free with the Mail Preference Service to prevent receiving further post of this nature. This service removes your name from 95% of mailing lists and can take up to 4 months to take effect. To register call 0845 703 4599

You can also register with the Royal Mail Door to Door Service to stop unaddressed or occupier mail. To do this post your name and address to:

Freepost RRBT-ZBXB-TTTS, Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Outs, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road, Oxford, OX1 1RX. Or email your name and address to optout@royalmail.com Royal Mail will then send an opt-out form for you to sign and return. Once you sign and return your form Royal Mail will stop delivering unaddressed items to your address within 6 weeks.

You can also visit http://www.mydm.co.uk/ for details of all other preference services.

For clarification on any of these matters you can contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/

Produced: December 2010

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SPIRITUALIST SCAM

Trading Standards have received reports of a spiritualist telephone scam operating in Staffordshire. The telephone call begins with a person claiming to be a spiritualist and offers to get in touch with spirits of loved ones or help with financial problems. If the caller agrees they would like this service they are asked to press one.

Trading Standards advise not to press any numbers as this could transfer you to a premium rate line costing you at least £1.50 per minute.

It is believed these calls are being made from abroad so the Telephone Preference Service cannot block the calls. However you are advised to register with the Telephone Preference Service every 12 months as this service will reduce these type of scam calls. To register call 0845 070 0707 or visit http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/

Produced: December 2010

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TAX REFUND SCAM

Local residents have reported receiving emails purporting to be from HM Revenue & Customs, advising that they are eligible for a tax refund, and must submit a tax fund request in order for this to be processed.

The email them asks you to click on a link and follow instructions on screen.

By clicking on this link, you are taken to a page containing the logos of several well known banks. You are then asked to click on your bank logo, which takes you to another screen, asking you enter various personal details and bank account information.

If you receive emails like this, or similar, please ignore them.

HM Revenue & Customs would not contact you via email to notify you that you are eligible for a tax refund. Any emails asking you to enter personal details and / or bank account information should be ignored.

If you wish to check whether you are eligible for a tax refund, please contact HM Revenue & Customs on 0845 300 0622.

If you receive an email purporting to be from your bank asking for personal details, please telephone your bank to verify its authenticity by using the telephone number given on you bank statement.

If you require further help or information, please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Produced: 2 December 2010

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VAT INCREASE SCAMS

The Trading Standards Institute (TSI) is warning consumers to be wary of companies advertising ‘pay now and save on the VAT increase' deals.

Consumers are being advised to protect themselves by carrying out checks on companies offering these and similar deals to make sure they are not getting involved in a potential scam.

Companies offering these deals could be on the verge of going bust, or you may find you are burdened with the VAT increase at the end on delivery.

Remember, if you pay the full amount for a product or service before 4 January 2011, you will be charged VAT at 17.5%. If you pay a deposit before 4 January 2011, and the balance after that date you will be charged 17.5% VAT on the deposit and 20% on the balance. However, by paying in full upfront, you run the risk of a trader not providing the goods or services you have ordered, disappearing with your money, or going bust.

There are a number of ways you can try to protect yourselves, such as carrying out research on any trader offering deals, particularly if they are advertising on the internet. If you do decide to pay now, you are also advised to pay by credit card for any goods or services that cost more than £100. This means your credit card company shares liability if the trader fails to fulfil the contract.

The shop not charging the VAT increase may not necessarily be the cheapest, so take your time and shop around.

If you have further concerns, or wish to report problems you have encountered, please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Produced: 2 December 2010

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