Scams

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Dordon

The Trading Standards Service are warning residents about the activities of a trader in the Dordon area. It is reported that the trader recently approached a resident, door to door, and offered to replace the house bricks that edged his blocked paved drive.

The work is reported to have been done to a very poor standard with some not being done at all. The resident was driven to several cashpoints by the trader to withdraw enough money to pay for the work.

Residents are advised not to accept offers of work from the first person who comes to your door. Get quotes from local reputable traders and if at all possible go on recommendation.

18/05/07 Nationwide and Halifax Email Scams Warwickshire

Consumers are warned to beware of a number of scam emails that are circulating in the county at the moment. One email purports to come from the Nationwide and the other from the Halifax.

Consumers are strongly advised to delete any emails they receive of this type, preferably without opening them. If you do open them never respond to them or visit any web links they might contain. By doing so you confirm that your email is active and you are then likely to receive more emails of the same type. Any web pages you are directed you to will also be fraudulent and may expose your PC to computer viruses.

Never reveal any personal or financial information in an email.

10/05/07 Tarmac Gang

Kenilworth

It has been reported that a tarmac gang is operating in the Kenilworth area. Residents are advised that on the door step it can be hard to distinguish the good traders from the cowboys; it might be easier to keep the door closed. Do not allow uninvited callers into your home.

Warwickshire

The Trading Standards Service has received complaints from consumers who are being persistently called by a foreign call centre. The caller is reported to say that as they are a BT customer they have won a 'prize in a competition' and then go on to ask for personal details including bank account numbers.

Warwickshire Trading Standards are warning that this is either an orchestrated effort by criminal gangs to steal personal and financial information for the purposes of ID theft, or that an as yet unidentified company is using this approach to attempt to sign up consumers to a rival telephone service. The callers are reported to be extremely persuasive and use very high pressure sales techniques.

Trading Standards Officers strongly advise consumers not to divulge any personal or financial information to unsolicited callers, who ever they may claim to be.

11/05/07 Not a Free Lotto

Leamington Spa and County-wide

A member of a Neighbourhood Watch group has reported receiving a letter, posted in the UK using a postage stamp (to encourage the recipient to open it and give it more authenticity) which claims he has won $1,000,000. in a free lottery. This letter and others have been circulating in the Warwickshire area periodically and the Trading Standards Service has spoken to consumers who have lost several thousand pounds.

Consumers are warned that by contacting the organisers of these 'lotteries', it is highly likely that they will simply be asked to transfer money to them, in order to release their non existent 'winnings'. In doing so they will also be targeted by other similar scams.

Henley in Arden

Businesses and residents should be aware that a 'tarmacer' has been reported operating in the Henley in Arden area this morning. An individual was approached and offered tarmac and chipping work on their driveway, but declined the offer. The trader (one man) was driving a white van with a yellow flashing light, there were no business details on the side of the van.

Leamington Spa

The Trading Standards Service has received information from Neighbourhood Watch concerning 'lotto' letters that suggest recipients have won a prize worth $1 million US dollars. A number of North Leamington residents have reported receiving these letters.

The letters ask recipients to fill out a detailed form (full name, date of birth, next of kin, passport number, email address, telephone number etc.) and send it back together with a copy of their passport or drivers license.

Recipients are warned not to contact the lotto company. Anyone doing this could expose themselves to identity theft. In addition it is likely that they will also receive requests for money from the 'lotto' organisers, for the 'transfer' of their non existent 'winning'.

South Warwickshire

The Trading Standards Service has been alerted to a phishing scam involving a fake password email. The recipient received an email purporting to be from a telephone company which contained a 'temporary password'. They then received a second email that asked them to click on a link that would take them to a secure area where they could type in their password, change it, and crucially confirm their name, telephone number, email address and security reminders.

Recipients of such emails are strongly advised not to click on the links they contain. Such links often direct users to bogus websites that may contain computer viruses. In addition, any personal or financial information they reveal could be stolen and used fraudulently.

Stratford upon Avon

We have been alerted by a Stratford area resident to a bogus email that is currently circulating. The email reads:

Lloyds TSB Account Update Notification

Dear Valued Customer,

In The Last Fews Weeks,Our Online Banking Security Team Has Observed Multiple Logons On Your Internet Banking Account,From Different Blacklisted IP's Therefore Been Blocked,To Prevent Further Unauthorized Access For Your Safety. We Have Decided To Put An Extra Verification Process To Ensure Your Identity And Your Internet Banking Account Security.

Please click on Continue to Log In button below to continue to the verification process.

N.B (Failure to verify your account details correctly will lead to account suspension)

This is a relatively unsophisticated phishing scam. Recipients who click on the link are likely to be taken to a bogus website where the fraudsters will attempt to get them to reveal their passwords and PIN numbers. For more information visit:

13/03/07 International Lottery Scam

Alcester

The Trading Standards Service has again received a number of complaints about a lottery award notification scam. Identical letters on blue paper have been sent to many hundreds of people in the county. The letter entitled ‘LOTERIA PRIMITIVA’ tells them they have won €615,810 Euros in cash! However, they are expected to fill out a detailed form and reveal personal and financial information such as bank account numbers in order to collect their ‘winning’. Those who do will immediately receive requests for more money to process the claim, and these demands will keep coming until the consumer realises it is a scam. In addition the information may be used to create false identities.

13/03/07 Euro Award

Bedworth

A Neighbourhood Watch Member has alerted the Trading Standards Service to a letter he received from Canada. The letter implies that the recipient has an entitlement to an award of £2,280,586. All he has to do is send £20 to a PO box address in Vancouver. On reading the small print - and between the lines - what the letter actually offers is a list of sweepstakes that the recipient can be entered into!

Stoneleigh

A resident reported receiving several phone calls from a woman who claimed he was not registered with the Telephone Preference Service (TSP). The resident said he was, but the caller was 'insistent' and wanted £12.99 per month to register him. The resident put his phone down several times but she kept phoning back and became aggressive. On each occasion she offered him more and more discounts - first 20% and then 60% (as he was an older person), and then offered the first few months free! It was not clear from the report whether the woman was claiming to represent TPS or another company.

Consumers are advised that the Telephone Preference Service is a free service paid for by the Direct Marketing Association.

The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is a central opt out register whereby individuals can register their wish not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing telephone calls. It is a legal requirement that companies do not make such calls to numbers registered on the TPS. The original legislation was introduced in May 1999. It has subsequently been updated and now the relevant legislation is the Privacy and Electronic (EC

Directive) Regulations 2003.

To register with the Telephone Preference Service either phone 0845 070 0707 or visit www.tpsonline.org.uk

02/05/06 Rogue Fascia Company

Stratford

Residents are warned to beware of a doorstep trader offering fascia work. An elderly female resident reported to her Residents Association that she was approached on her doorstep by a trader who claimed that she needed her fascia doing. She did not agree to have the work done, but it was confirmed later by a member of the association that there was nothing wrong at all with her fascia.

02/05/06 Car Scam

Bidford on Avon

A consumer alert recipient reported receiving an offer for a vehicle that he was advertising in a regional car magazine. The car was on sale for £2,300, but the buyer, who contacted the seller by email offered to pay with a cheque for £4,500. He claimed to be based in Israel and asked the seller to send the difference back to him (some £2,200), when the cheque cleared. The buyer also claimed to have a 'problem' with his phone and asked only to be contacted by email.

Consumers are warned that this is a common scam whereby the buyer, usually a criminal gang operating from outside the UK, uses a forged or stolen cheque. The cheque initially clears and the seller then relinquishes his vehicle, and sends the difference back to the buyer. However, when the bank discovers that the cheque is bad, they cancel the funds in the sellers account, potentially leaving them out of pocket to the tune of £2,200 and a car.

Nuneaton

Consumers are warned to beware of door to door mobile phone sellers after a Nuneaton resident was targeted by one such caller. The resident reported that a man came to her door and convinced her to sign a contract for a new mobile phone, telling her it was £22 a month on a 12 month contract. As the trader was leaving he shouted back that he forgot to mention that after 6 months the tariff went up to £50 per month and the contract was for 18 months and not 12.

All Warwickshire

Computer users are warned to beware of a new scam email that is circulating. The email purports to come from Visa and asks recipients to click on a link to 'update their account information'. The email goes on to say that failure to do so will lead to the suspension of the Visa card. Beware, this is a 'phishing' scam. The email does not come from Visa but from fraudsters who wish to trick you into disclosing personal and financial information and PIN's. If you receive this email delete it immediately - do not reply or click on any links.

24/08/05 Charity Scam

All Warwickshire

Householders in Rugby, Kenilworth, and Stratford upon Avon have called to complain about the activities of doorstep 'charity' collections. Leaflets have been posted which residents feel are misleading in that they subtly suggest that the money raised from these doorstep collections will go to charity. Some of the leaflets carry company registration numbers. Householders are advised that if they want to ensure that their unwanted household items go to charity, that they only leave items to registered charities (check for the registration mark and ensure it says 'charity' and not 'business'), or take them to a charity shop or clothing bank. Otherwise there is no guarantee that the clothes will not be sold for any other reason than to profit the collectors.

Shipston on Stour

Householders are warned to beware of a trader offering to 'air-wash' drives. A consumer has reported that her neighbour was talked into agreeing for work to be done on her driveway by three men who knocked on her door. The men refused to give her a quote for the work claiming that the price had to do with 'meterage' on his machine. The men demanded £350 in cash and said they would drive her to her bank if she didn't have the money to hand. She ended up giving them £220 in cash, after persuading them to let her go to the bank on her own.

22/08/05 Rogue Tree Surgeons

Kenilworth

A householder has reported that she was door knocked by a trader offering to cut down some trees in her garden. She was charged £120 to cut down a single tree. The trader then tried to charge her neighbour £730 to chop down four small fur trees. Householders are advised to speak to a professional before employing anyone to do this sort of work. If you are concerned that a tree in your garden is dangerous, have an expert examine it and provide a written report. If trees are to be removed, ensure they are not covered by a Tree Preservation Order or within a conservation area. If so consent for any work must be obtained from the local planning authority. Ensure that the trader you eventually employ is properly trained and has adequate insurance cover.

22/08/2005 Water Survey Scam

Nuneaton

The Trading Standards Service today received a phone call from the Police alerting them to a potential scam after a consumer had called to say that they had received an unexpected phone call from someone offering to come to their property to do a 'water survey'. The person claimed to be calling from Warwickshire County Council.

However, neither Warwickshire County Council, nor Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council are offering this 'service'. Householders are therefore asked to treat such calls with caution and to put the phone down.

Bulkington

The service has received two complaints regarding the sale of fire/security equipment.

In the first case a householder was cold called on the telephone and told by the caller that under a 'government funded project' the resident would be eligible for a security system that would be free and connected to the local fire/police station. The only cost involved would be a charge of £199 for installation. The consumer invited the trader to visit his home and he was asked to sign up straight away. On closer examination of the paper work the 'free' system was to cost £7.35 per week for 5 years, plus a £35 payment to the police, a total cost of at least £2000 over the period of the contract (including installation). Further, if an alarm was tripped this would be received at one of the companies call centres, who, the consumer was told would then alert the Police or fire service. The alarm was not connected directly to the Police or Fire Stations although the consumer had initially believed this to be the case.

In the second case another resident in the same area was again cold called and told they were entitled to a free security system worth £1500, but would have to pay the £195.00 installation cost.

Residents are warned that high pressure sales techniques are often used to sell these 'free' security systems, which in our experience almost always come with either installation costs or long contracts or both! Sometimes the security systems are not even appropriate for the householders needs and once hooked, salespeople may return to offer 'upgrades', or 'additional services' at an extra cost.

There are companies that offer a variety of security systems, but in the first instance for initial and impartial advice, we suggest that householders concerned about home security or fire safety should speak to their local Police Crime Prevention Officer or Council Fire Safety Officer. Householders are further advised not to be pressurised in to signing up with the first home security company that contacts them, but to shop around and read the small print of any agreement carefully before signing anything. Consumers who sign a contract in their home following an unsolicited visit, or a meeting arranged following an unexpected phone call have 7 days in which they can cancel. Finally, consumers are advised to treat claims that any offer is part of a 'government funded project', or the presentation of any crime statistics with caution. High pressure sales people have been known to make false or misleading claims to get a sale. ..................

Nuneaton

A Nuneaton consumer recently received a call from someone claiming to work for a subscription service on behalf of SKY TV. The consumer had always paid her subscription to SKY in full, in preference to direct debit. The caller told her that if she wished to continue to pay in full, there would be a £2 charge. The caller then asked for the consumers bank account details and the consumer declined and put the phone down. The Trading Standards Service has received several similar complaints about this type of approach. The company is not linked to SKY and this may be a underhand way of trying to obtain personal and financial information that could then be used fraudulently. Alternatively, consumers may find that the callers want to set up direct debits for unspecified services.

11/07/05 Satellite Insurance

Bedworth

A consumer has reported receiving a call from a trader describing themselves as his insurance company for his satellite TV. The trader offered to upgrade his insurance for £7, but the consumer explained that he was already paying £5.99 for his current insurance and was happy with it.

The trader then offered £6 instead and asked for the consumers bank sort code & account number. The consumer queried the request and the trader said that they were in the process of renewing contracts and the consumers account was now a "dead office" and hence they had to re-take his details to upgrade, which is why they didn't have his bank details there. The consumer however was suspicious and refused to provide his details, wherein the trader became abusive.

Never provide your personal or financial details to anyone who contacts you on the phone. Investigations revealed that the caller was not his satellite TV insurers, and that the company had received many complaints. Further enquiries revealed that the caller was from a rival company.

11/07/05 Mobile Phone Cold Call

Nuneaton

A consumer reported receiving a call from someone who claimed to be from Three Mobile, the consumers current service provider. He claimed to offer the consumer a change of tariff and then asked for the consumers bank account details. The consumer queried this and was told they were required for 'security reasons'. The consumer provided her bank and credit card account details, but was later contracted by her credit card company to tell her that two irregular payments had been made.

11/07/05 Advanced Fee Fraud

Warwickshire

A consumer recently received two emails from differing addresses from a man enquiring about a car the consumer had for sale. The emailer offered to purchase the car for more than the asking price of £10,000 and said he would send a cheque for £14,000. The consumer received a cheque but was reluctant to cash it and contacted Trading Standards. This scam is a called an advance fee scam. The cheque will initially clear when cashed and then £4000 will be requested to be refunded for overpayment - then the cheque will bounce leaving the consumer out of pocket.

11/07/05 'Charity' Collections

Kenilworth

Traders are leafleting the Kenilworth area asking for donations of home wares or clothes for second hand shops in Eastern Europe. Consumers are advised that these collectors are not charities and wherever the clothes are sold, either abroad or sometimes at markets and car boot sales in the UK, the money collected is unlikely to go to charity. Investigations suggest that the traders behind this collection are using a false address.

Genuine charities who collect from the door will provide their charity number. Some businesses who collect to sell the clothes for profit provide a business registration number - do not get them confused.

11/07/05 Block Paving Rogue

Rugby

Residents are alerted to a trader offering block paving work door to door. The trader failed to provide the consumer with a written contract and was paid in cash. The trader failed to complete work and the work was not completed to a reasonable standard or as agreed verbally by the householder.

Warwickshire

A Warwickshire resident has alerted the service to a credit card scam. The resident received a telephone call through her office switchboard at her place of work from a man claiming to be from Barclays security at their Coventry branch. He was extremely plausible and asked the lady if she had any credit/bank cards missing. She checked and found she was missing one card. When the lady questioned him on his request he told her "we do not have time for that, we need to act fast". He then went on to describe how his team had picked up a woman at the branch on CCTV acting suspiciously and claimed that the woman had a card of the lady's in her possession. He then went on to add that he would need to ask her some questions to confirm the situation. Further, he reeled off a number of transactions he claimed had been made on the lady's card that day - running into thousands of pounds. Panicking, the lady then provided her full name and date of birth, but when she was asked for her card pin number she again became suspicious. At that stage the caller rang off. The lady contacted her bank and was told that no illegal transactions had been made on her card, and she then cancelled it. It is our belief that her card must have been stolen from her at or in the vicinity of her place of work. Keep your PIN number safe - never provide it to anyone. With Chip and PIN, criminals now need your PIN number to use your card.

27/06/05 Guttering Rogues

Nuneaton

A consumer was approached on his doorstep by a rogue trader stating that his guttering needed replacing. The resident asked the trader to do the work and was quoted £900. The work was completed to a very poor standard. The trader refused to rectify the work and is now unobtainable on a mobile phone number that he left as a contact. The trader was driving a maroon coloured van.

27/06/05 Energy Sales

Leamington Spa

Consumers are warned to beware of unexpected phone calls from their energy supplier after one Leamington Spa resident was called by someone falsely claiming to represent her supplier - British Gas. The caller asked many different questions, but when they asked for the residents bank details she became suspicious and hung up. British gas have advised that they have no record of a call being made to the resident and in any case would need have needed to do so as they already have the information that she was questioned about. Earlier in the week the householder was approached on the doorstep by someone from a rival energy company asking if the resident if they were interested in changing their supplier. It is possible that the two incidents may be related with the rival company attempting to gain enough information on the consumer to swap them to their service without their permission. Alternatively, the call could have been made by someone attempting to gain the householders bank and other personal information for other fraudulent purposes. Never give out your personal or financial information over the phone unless you your self initiate the call for example to buy goods or services.

27/06/05 Telephone Scam

Nuneaton

A consumer recently received a call from someone who stated they were "Patrick from BT" and who told them that he could significantly reduce the consumers telephone bill. The consumer agreed and the caller said he would receive a contract to sign. The consumer received nothing and was concerned so rang the caller back only to find that the call had been made - not by

BT but by a rival company.

27/06/05 Bogus Caller

Warwick

A householder contacted Trading Standards after she received an unexpected visit from a doorstep trader who claimed that he had been dropped off by Social Services and had only two days to sell the items he was carrying before he left a children's home. The caller carried an ID card and claimed that his parents had died in a car crash when he was five. The householder became suspicious because the patter of the sales person sounded like he had read it off a script. The Trading Standards Service are not aware of any such scheme being operated by Social Services and warn householders that unscrupulous door to door sales people will sometimes claim to have links to a government dept (for example the Probation Service) to encourage a sale.

27/06/05 Roofing Rogues

Kenilworth

A consumer has contacted the service after her mother was approached at her home and told by a someone falsely claiming to be a Kenilworth based roofing contractor, that a few ridge tiles needed replacing on her roof. She agreed, but the trader then began to replace her entire roof. A surveyor and friend of the consumer called to see the work and found that there was nothing wrong with her original roof. The consumer has already paid out £2700 and the trader had no public liability insurance.

Rugby

Householders are warned to beware of a doorstep trader selling 'We Don't Buy From The Doorstep' signs. The trader is selling the signs for £1 each and is reported to have approached homes that already display a 'no salespeople' sign and has claimed that their sign - available free of charge from the Trading Standards Service or Police - has been superseded by his. Further the sellers own sign contains none of the emergency contact information or good advice which is displayed on signs that can be obtained without payment.

Any residents requiring a free doorstep sticker can contact Warwickshire Trading Standards Doorstep sticker order line ? even the call is free, phone 0800 413332.

02/06/05 Telephone Con

Rugby

Consumers are warned to beware of unexpected calls from companies that give the false impression they are BT, and claim to be able to reduce the residents phone bill. The callers say they are calling about the residents BT bill. Some residents have complained that they have been unwittingly transferred to rival communication companies following such calls and that even when they have immediately advised BT that they do not wish to transfer have received bills from the rival company and been chased for the debt when they challenged it.

02/06/05 Mobile Phone Fraudsters

Nuneaton

A Nuneaton resident has reported receiving a call on her mobile phone from someone who falsely claimed to represent her mobile phone company and offered her a new tariff. The consumer agreed and was then asked for her bank account details - which the caller said were required for 'security reasons'. The consumer gave her bank and credit card account details. She was later contacted be her credit card company who reported an irregular use of her card.

02/06/05 Tarmac Gang

Alcester

Alcester residents are warned to beware of a tarmac gang operating door to door in their local area. The gang are posing as contractors for Warwickshire County Council and claim that they have been working on roads nearby and have tarmac left over. These driveway gangs are itinerant traders who have nothing to do with Warwickshire County Council. No council worker, or contractor will offer to tarmac private driveways. The gangs will typically quote a low price, but charge an extortionate one, for a poor quality job.

01/06/05 Threatening Letter Scam

Warwickshire

Consumers have reported receiving letters that could be quite distributing for vulnerable people. The letters, which are being sent from Switzerland, warn of impending misfortune and suggest that the sender is able to help in return for a fee of £17.99.

Nuneaton and Bedworth

09/06/05 Fascia Con

Nuneaton

Rogue traders are operating locally offering fascia and general building work. The 'traders' operate door to door. One Nuneaton resident complained that her neighbour had been targeted and that the trader had ripped down her fascia (and in the process damaged her greenhouse) and left - only returning the following day. The work was so poor that her neighbour refused to pay and the men became menacing. Residents are warned not to employ doorstep builders, but seek quoted from genuine companies with reputations to maintain, and go on recommendation if possible.

South Warwickshire

09/06/05 Tarmac Gang

Alcester

Residents are warned to beware of a tarmac gang operating locally. The gang falsely claim to be working for Warwickshire County Council with tarmac left over. Residents are advised that Warwickshire County Council employees, nor their contractors will offer this work. These gangs quote cheap process but charge high amounts for often very poor quality work.

09/06/05 Rogue Tree Surgeons

Southam

Residents have reported that rogue gardeners are operating door to door offer to remove trees and do other gardening work. Reports have been received that they are cutting down trees without permission, letting themselves in people's home without their knowledge, and threatening householders.

09/06/05 Tarmac Gang

Tamworth in Arden

Carrillion, a company that is renewing road services for Warwickshire County Council is leafleting areas in which they are working to advise residents of possible disruption and to make it clear that they do not offer tarmac work to private households or door knock. However, Tamworth in Arden residents are warned that a tarmac gang is following the workmen and approaching householders to offer this kind of work. One local resident reported that she had been approached by a young man claiming to be working in the local area and offering to re-surface her drive. The man carried a fake ID and wore a yellow jacket. He was driving a small white van. The woman declined the offer and contacted Trading Standards.

09/06/05 Unsolicited Goods

Stratford upon Avon

A local resident has reported receiving an unsolicited phone call from a salesperson attempting to sell him fire extinguisher. The resident asked if information could be sent in the post but the following day he received a contract letter and a request for payment - for goods he had never ordered. This is a criminal offence. In such cases the resident should reject the goods in writing.

Warwick District

09/06/05 Garden Rogues

Whitnash

A man in his 30s is reported to be driving around Whitnash in a van and offering a door to door gardening service. It is reported that the driver is claiming that people need work done on their gardens when this is not necessary. The man is described as being quite aggressive and is targeting vulnerable adults and falsely claiming to be working for the local council. One resident was asked for £60 (cash) in return for some hedge trimming. It is the experience of Trading Standards that such 'quotes' can often increase considerably once work had begun under such circumstances

So beware - DO NOT CALL back numbers beginning with 0709.
End of message

We have been informed of the following scam which is targeting females in particular, working in offices. They receive a phone call from the Post Office asking them to confirm their postcode. When this is given, they are told that they have become eligible for some gift vouchers for their co-operation and are asked to provide their home address and postcode in order to receive the vouchers. So far 90% of the women who have provided this information have been burgled, as it is assumed that their homes are empty during office working hours. The police are aware of this scam and  the Post Office have confirmed that they are NOT conducting any postcode surveys.

Also, it has been reported that if you receive a telephone call from an individual who identifies him/herself as being an BT Service Technician who is conducting a test on that line, or if anyone else asks you to do the following DON'T. They will state that to complete the test the recipient should dial nine, zero (90) then the hash key and then hang up.  This will give them full access to your phone line, which allows them to place long distance, international or chat-line calls. These are then billed to your account.

The information which the Police have, suggests that many of these calls are emanating from prisons. The information has been checked out by the police and is correct. DO NOT PRESS 90 FOR ANYONE.

Would anyone reading this please pass it on to friends and colleagues, etc, otherwise it could cost someone a lot of money.

ATM MACHINE FRAUD

The frequency of fraud attacks on ATMs is currently on the increase and so to is the level of sophistication of the devices used. 

Offender/s attach devices over the card insert slot/throat of the machine and either engage in shoulder surfing to read the pin number or use covert pinhole cameras to record the number being tapped in. This information is then transmitted to a receiver nearby. Whilst these attachments are camouflaged to blend in with the machine they can usually be identified by cursory examination.

The team responsible for placing the device will usually be within the immediate vicinity and the recent trend is for them to use violence to try and recover the devices should they be removed. 

Although attacks at bank machines continue, cash point machines at retail parks and supermarkets have also become popular targets as a person sitting in a car near the machine is less likely to arouse suspicion. 

The advice from Warwickshire Police is that whenever using an ATM check to see if there appears to be anything suspicious attached to it. If you do discover a device contact the police immediately, do not try and remove the device yourself.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CREDIT CARDS!!

BEWARE This is a clever scam .. watch out for it

Visa and MasterCard scam

My husband was called on Wednesday from "VISA" and I was called on  Thursday From "MasterCard". It worked like this: Person calling says, "This is Carl Patterson (any name) and I'm calling from the  Security and Fraud department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460.

Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm  calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device/ Any expensive item for £497.99 from a marketing company based in Anywhere?" When you say "No". The caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account.

This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from £297 to £497, just under the £500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?" You say, "Yes". The caller continues . . . "I will be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 0800 number listed on your card 1-800-VISA and ask for Security. you will need to refer to this Control #". Then gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?" Caller then says he "needs to verify you are in possession of your card. Turn the card over. There are 7 numbers; first 4 are 1234 whatever) the next 3 are the security numbers that verify you are in possession of the card. These are the numbers you use to make internet purchases to prove you have the card. Read me the 3 numbers." Then he says "That is correct. I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions? Don't hesitate to call back if you do." You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA security dept. HE told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of £497.99 WAS put on our card. Long story made short . we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA card and they are reissuing as a new number. What the scam wants is the 3 digit number and that once the charge goes through, they keep Charging every few days. By the time you get your statement, you think the credit is coming, and then it's harder to actually file a fraud report. > >REMEMBER: THE REAL VISA REINFORCED THAT THEY WILL NEVER ASK FOR ANYTHING ON THE CARD (THEY ALREADY KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT US)!!!!. What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from "Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a word for word repeat of the VISA Scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up. We filed a police report (as instructed by VISA), and they said they Are taking several of these reports daily and to tell friends, relatives and anyone else.

PASS IT ON!

Pretty mental note about some sick scam aimed at women. Please read on  and pass on to anyone you can. To all my female friends It was about 3  weeks ago, I was at the Shell station in Belfast getting diesel. It was about 11:30pm. I was approached by 2 men and 2 women in a car. The man that was driving asked me 'What kind of perfume do you wear?' I was a  bit confused and I asked him 'Why?' He said 'We are selling some name brand perfumes, at cheap prices.' I said I had no money. He then reached out of the car and handed me paper that was laminated; it had many perfumes on it. I looked quickly at it and gave it back. I said, I have no money. He said it is OK, we take check, cash or credit cards. Then the people in the car began to laugh. I just got in my car and said no thanks. Then I received this e-mail yesterday and it sent chills up my spine. Please read this. It is not joke.

 

Here is the e-mail I was sent- Dear Friends: I know not all of you are women that I am sending this to, but I am hoping you will share this with your wives, daughters, mother, sisters, etc. Our world seems to be getting crazier by the day. Pipe bombs in mailboxes and sickos in parking lots with perfume. Be careful. I was approached yesterday afternoon around 3:30 PM in the Tesco car park near the University of Ulster by two males who asked what kind of perfume I was wearing. Then they asked if I'd like to sample some fabulous scent they were willing to sell me at a very reasonable rate. I probably would have agreed had I not received an e-mail some weeks ago warning of a 'Wanna smell this neat perfume?' scam. Someone walks up to you at the malls or in parking lots! and asking you to SNIFF PERFUME that they are selling at a cheap price. THIS IS NOT PERFUME...IT IS ETHER! When you sniff it, you'll pass out. They'll take your wallet, your valuables And heaven knows what else. The men continued to stand between parked cars, I guess to wait for someone else to hit on. I stopped a lady going towards them, pointing at them and told her about how I was sent an e-mail at work.

 

If it were not for this e-mail, I probably would have sniffed the 'perfume' but thanks to the generosity of an e-mailing friend, I was spared whatever might have happened to me. I wanted to do the same for you.

 

PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO ALL YOUR WOMEN FRIENDS AND PLEASE BE ALERT AND BE AWARE.

IF YOU ARE A MAN AND RECEIVE THIS, PASS IT ON TO YOUR WOMEN FRIENDS.

 

Ladies this happened to me yesterday and I didn't smell the perfume either, thanks to this email. This is true. Believe me, I know. I was over by the car park at lunch time when I was approached. So either day or night, it does not matter. There were 3 guys together when I was approached. I called the police when I got back to my home. Like the email says above, LET EVERYONE KNOW ABOUT THIS. YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, CO-WORKERS, whoever. It helped me. The first thing that popped into my head was this e-mail

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