Fraud Alerts

Bromsgrove Council is committed to ensuring that all types of fraud affecting the Council is investigated and actioned appropriately. As part of this determination, we will also provide residents with information on current scams or issues that could affect them directly.

Any Fraud Alerts that are made known to us, will be placed on this page for your information.  It is important to keep a perspective on this information, but our advice is to ensure that you know exactly who you are dealing with, and only give out personal information once you are satisfied that you are talking or dealing with the correct person or organisation.

Any genuine organisation would have no objection to you requesting to ring them back, allowing you time to verify contact telephone numbers via the internet or directory enquiries.

Aggressive Sales Tactics

Worcestershire Regulatory Services, trading standards team has recently been made aware of an incident in the Pershore area of the County.  Residents at a sheltered housing scheme were visited by an individual who was selling assorted items from a holdall. Reports state that the caller was very persistent and gained access to the properties through a secure door. The callers sales manner was aggressive and he advised that he had to make a certain amount of sales to keep his job and he was dyslexic so would find it difficult to get another job. The householder was then sold 2 tea towels for the extortionate price of £50. Police officers were involved and the householder’s money was returned.

Worcestershire residents are being advised that they should be wary of all callers at the door and ensure that they are happy to pay inflated prices for everyday items before agreeing to buy.

The law is quite clear in relation to these kinds of sales tactics and it is an outright banned practice to inform a consumer that if he/she does not buy the product or service, the trader’s job or livelihood will be in jeopardy.  It is also an offence to engage in aggressive and unfair sales practices.  

To report any callers or for advice on your consumer rights please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06

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Warning over Charity Scam

Worcestershire householders are being warned that bogus charity collectors are again attempting to deceive people into thinking they are supporting the local air ambulance charity.

Representatives of an organisation called Air Ambulance Service hand out leaflets and recycling bags when visiting homes requesting donations of clothing, shoes and handbags, which they imply will be recycled in order to raise funds for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity states that the collectors are not in any way affiliated with the charity and believe it is unlicensed by any local authority and is therefore misleading the public with their claims and adopted identity.

It is the fourth time in the past year that bogus charity collectors are known to have struck in the West Midlands and borders region claiming to support the service.  Previous scam operators have gone under the name Air Ambulance Support.  Midlands Air Ambulance Charity believes the most effective way to prevent bogus charity collectors is for the public to be on their guard.

A legitimate Midlands Air Ambulance Charity collector will be able to show formal identification bearing the charity's logo and charity number.  Official identification can be viewed at http://www.midlandsairambulance.com/ 

The best way to ensure clothing donations reach the charity is by contacting them through its website or by calling 0800 840 2040.

To report a suspected bogus collector contact Trading Standards on 0845 04 05 06    or by email to   wrsenquiries@worcsregservices.gov.uk . 

You can also contact the Police on 0300 333 3000  or by email to  contactus@westmercia.pnn.police.uk .

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June 2011 - Lottery Scammers using Police Name

Fraudsters trying to get members of the public to believe they have won the lottery have used the City of London Police’s name in an attempt to make their scam seem legitimate.

An email claiming to be from ‘Constable John Bruce’ ‘guaranteed’ the competition, and asked the recipient to confirm their contact details. Detectives believe the fraudsters’ next step would be to ask for an admin fee to process the prize.

An outdated City of London Police logo and address are used in a bid to make the e-mail seem genuine.

If you have received similar Emails then please forward them to City of London Police at  nfd@cityoflondon.pnn.police.uk.

If you have paid money in a scam like this, report it to Action Fraud 0300 123 2040 or report online at https://reportfraud.actionfraud.org.uk/fraudreport/ 

Advice from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau:

• Treat unsolicited communication (e-mail, phone calls and letters) that offer financial gain with extreme suspicion.
• Lotteries should not ask for a fee to release your winnings so do not believe it if you are asked to pay one.
• Contact the organisation named using independently sourced contact details, not the details they have supplied to you, to see if they are legitimate.
• Never hand out your bank details unless you have checked the organisation is genuine using a number of channels.
• Remember that fraudsters will impersonate large organisations such as banks, government departments or the police in an attempt to give credibility to their scam.

Read more about the lottery scam on the City of London Police website . 

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May 2011 - Facebook Profile Stalking Scam

This latest Facebook scam uses a cartoon image of a chimpanzee looking through binoculars alongside a message that says something along the lines of:

Facebook profile stalker scam“WICKED! Now you can see who views your facebook profile.. i saw my top profile stalkers and my EX is still creeping my profile every day”                                                                        

Anyone who clicks on the link is taken to an external website. This website asks users to cut and paste some code into the address bar of their web browser, on the promise that it will tell them their ‘Top 10 Profile Spies”. In fact, this spreads the scam to other Facebook users.

Protect yourself from online scams

Facebook users are warned that clicking on links such as these can allow scammers access to the personal information on your profile. Allowing untrustworthy sources access to your personal information can lead to identity theft and fraud.

Anyone who thinks they have spotted a scam like this on Facebook should report it directly to Facebook.

Anyone who has been a victim of fraud should report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report online at  https://reportfraud.actionfraud.org.uk/fraudreport/ 

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April 2011 - Mobility Aid Sales and Assessments Cold Callers

Worcestershire Regulatory Services, Trading Standards division, has received information in relation to individuals offering mobility assessments and health care products and disability aids. Residents are being reminded that local authority healthcare providers do not make unsolicited telephone calls offering these kinds of services. All healthcare assessments will be carried out by authorised individuals. If you are unsure about services that are being offered please contact your local doctors surgery or local authority healthcare provider to ensure that the individuals offering the service are genuine and connected to the local authority.

If an individual approaches your door always ask for identification and don't be afraid to check these details with your local authority.

Consumers are also advised to ensure that they check a traders credentials, ensure that you have a trading address and the name of the owner of the business if the company is not a limited company . Without this information, if things do go wrong, you may not be able to pursue a claim against the trader.

Be clear and ask salesman/traders to leave your property. If you do not want to buy from a salesman/ trader be clear and ask them to leave your property. If they refuse to leave or leave and return to your property they will be committing a criminal offence.

Residents should be made aware that all traders who agree contracts at a consumers property must provide a cooling off period of seven days. A specific cancellation notice must be provided which should detail the consumers right to a cooling off period, a contact address for the trader and also information about  how to cancel. If a trader wants to start work before the cooling off period expires , the trader must get written permission from the consumer and provide a written warning that if the contract starts the consumer can still cancel until the seventh day. However the consumer will have to pay a reasonable amount for any works that have been started provided the warning notice has been supplied.

Please remember that the cancellation period is available to protect you! Do you need the work to start before the end of the cooling off period and are you getting a fair deal? Cheap does not always mean a fair deal.

The law gives a consumer an opportunity to consider if they want to go ahead with any works, and if the cancellation notice is not supplied to the consumer not only does the trader commit an offence but the contract cannot legally be enforced against the consumer e.g. payment does not have to be made.

Consumers can search the Worcestershire Trader Register which is a free online directory of local businesses and trades people who have given Trading Standards their commitment to provide a good service.

Please contact the Trader Register on 01905 765394 , or e-mail: tradingstandards@worcestershire.gov.uk

By using the Worcestershire Trader Register you are supporting reliable local businesses and trades people.

If you require advice about your rights or to report a trader contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06

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March 2011 - New Year Same Old Callers

2011 has already seen a large number of reports in relation  to door to door callers operating across Worcestershire. Residents have reported a number of incidents where unknown callers have approached them to either gain access to their properties, carry out home maintenance work or callers requesting personal details and bank details. In the last few weeks alone Worcestershire Regulatory Services (Trading Standards) has received calls from householders and concerned individuals reporting door to door callers claiming to be working for the "Water board", suspicious characters offering to "read your meter", roofing workmen claiming that properties do not meet building regulations, driveway repair companies who carry out more work than requested and also gardening services and alarm sales persons.

The majority of these incidents involved unknown callers contacting older or vulnerable residents who live alone.  Concerned householders and eagle eyed neighbours have reported incidents following concerns about the tactics used by these callers.  There have been reports of purported trades men taking vulnerable residents to the bank to get cash, being aggressive and demanding substantially more money than originally agreed for poor work.

Residents should look out for any suspicious callers and should remember that there is no longer any such things as "gas board" , "water board" or "electricity board". All callers looking to gain access to your property should carry identification and this information should be checked via a number in the telephone directory. Do not always trust numbers provided by callers.

Residents should also be wary of door to door callers claiming that their properties have defects and offering "cheap" maintenance work.  Prices often rise, workmanship is often very poor and contact details quite often false.

If you are concerned by door to door callers in your area then please report these incidents to consumer direct on         08454 04 05 06 . If a caller is aggressive or you have serious concerns you can contact West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000 .

Remember:

• Always get more than one quote for maintenance work on your property
• You have a seven day cooling off period for all contracts agreed in your home, this must be provided to you in writing by the trader
• Cheap does not always mean a fair deal
• Aggressive practices are banned, this includes offering to take you to the bank and pressurising vulnerable consumers.
• Traders must leave your property when asked otherwise they commit an offence, they should also take note of any "no cold caller" signs.
• Traders should provide their name and a relevant address on all quotes or invoices
• There is a Worcestershire Trader register of local tradesmen who have agreed to abide by a code of practice: http://www.traderregister.org.uk/  report fraud or telephone 01905 765394
• Look out for Older or vulnerable neighbours

Steve Jorden, Head of Worcestershire Regulatory Services " It is very concerning that a number of door to door callers appear to be operating in Worcestershire, Trading Standards officers and local Police will crack down hard on any individuals who are involved in criminal practices. Residents should report any suspicious callers and ensure that they reiterate the dangers of employing these kinds of individuals to family and friends who may be at risk. I would also like to thank the eagle eyed residents who have recently spotted suspicious characters in the county and ask them to keep up the good work."

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March 2011 - Bogus Severn Trent Callers

Worcestershire Regulatory Services has recently received information in relation to unsolicited telephone callers and door to door callers claiming to be working for Severn Trent Water. This is one variation of a number of different scams currently being targeted at Worcestershire residents.

Residents have been contacted and advised that there is currently a special offer for them to insure internal pipes on their property for £1 per year.  The caller then requests Bank details.

Severn Trent Water has advised that they do not insure internal water pipes.    

Steve Jorden Head of Worcestershire Regulatory Services advised "Worcestershire residents should be alert to any unsolicited telephone callers or unknown door to door callers. Residents should not  engage with any unknown or unexpected caller at the door and never under any circumstances give your bank details especially over the telephone, to a doorstep caller or to a street collector."

Advice on your consumer rights and to order a NO Cold Caller Card please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06

To report a suspicious incident contact West Mercia Police on   0300 333 3000

Severn Trent Water to check caller ID please contact  0845 604 1655

To find a reliable trader: Worcestershire Trader Register is a free online directory of local businesses and trades people who have given Trading Standards their commitment to provide a good service.  http://www.traderregister.org.uk/   or contact 01905 765394

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February 2011 - Latest Council Tax Refund Scam

Residents are being urged not to give out their personal information following a spate of phone calls and Emails claiming to be from the Council Tax Head Office in London, offering refunds of overpaid Council Tax.

The promises of refunds often amount to several hundred pounds. During the conversation, the callers request personal information including bank account details so that the refund can be paid.

So far the following phone numbers - 0208 123 0965 , 0203 286 1358  and 0208 123 2739  - have been given to customers for further contact about their refunds. These numbers are connected to a postal address on Regent Street in London.

Residents should be aware that this has no connection to Bromsgrove District Council and is not an official contact number for Bromsgrove’s Council Tax Office. Under no circumstances should anyone give out their personal information over the phone as a result of these calls.

Marie Wall, Fraud Services Manager said: "I would urge residents not to give out any personal information when they receive these calls or to pay any money upfront.

"The phone calls do not have any connection to the Council. If residents want to enquire about their band, they can do so for free by contacting the Valuation Office in Kidderminster.

"Residents should also be aware that neither the Council nor the Valuation Office, who are responsible for Council Tax bandings, has any legal power to pay interest on refunds given for reductions in the band of a property."

Residents should contact the Council Tax Section in Bromsgrove first on 01527 881288  to check any requests for information about their Council Tax accounts.

Residents can enquire and make an appeal against their own band (in certain circumstances), free of charge by contacting the Valuation Office in Kidderminster on 01562 620100 , by email at westmidlandsgroup.vo@voa.gsi.gov.uk , via the internet at http://www.voa.gov.uk/ .

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February 2011 - Mobility Aid Sales Representatives Calling Door to Door

Worcestershire Regulatory Services (Trading Standards) has recently received reports that vulnerable residents within the county have been targeted by sales representatives selling disability aids.  The sales representative's carry out unsolicited visits or visit following initial telephone calls.  Reports received by this service detail that the residents have been under the impression that the caller is linked to the NHS, and they are led to believe that the advice provided by the seller is actually an assessment for their needs.  The sales person is not connected to the NHS and it is understood that the products that are offered appear to be excessively priced and in some circumstances not required.

Head of Worcestershire Regulatory Services, Steve Jorden stated "Worcestershire residents should be on their guard when they receive calls offering to assess their disability needs in their home.  Residents are always advised to get three quotes for goods or services before agreeing to buy.  Residents should also ask any caller for identification to ensure they know who they are dealing with"

NHS spokes person:

Residents should be wary of any caller purporting to be linked to the NHS. All our staff and approved representative's will provide identification and would never contact patients in this manner.  Assessments for mobility and disability aids are carried out by trained staff following an initial referral The NHS do not use private businesses to carry out these kinds of assessments.

If you feel you would like an assessment for difficulties you are having, or would like professional and independent advice about what equipment may help you are advised to contact your local Community Occupational Therapist.

There is always a Community Occupational Therapist on duty each morning (Monday to Friday) between 9.30 and 12.30 on the following numbers:

Redditch and Bromsgrove      01527 507083

Wyre forest, Malvern and Tenbury 01684 612680

Worcester, Evesham, Pershore and Droitwich  01905 681637

To report a trader or to get advice on your consumer rights please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06

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February 2011 - Door Step Callers in Worcestershire

Worcestershire Regulatory Services  and Rooftop Housing Group Ltd are advising residents in Worcestershire to be on alert following two separate incidents involving Rooftop residents. The  residents were contacted by individuals claiming to be carrying out work on behalf of  the housing association.  The first incident occurred on 04 January at 10 pm in the Pershore area and involved a doorstep call from two men requesting access to the property to carry out repairs.  The second incident in the Broadway area of Worcestershire on 21st January involved a phone call from a company claiming to be working in partnership with the housing association and trying to arrange a boiler check. The caller would not provide the name of the company when asked. 

A spokesman for Rooftop Housing Group advised: "Our repairs team do not telephone or call residents without writing to them beforehand, unless the repair was an emergency requested by the tenant, which in this instance it wasn't. Furthermore, anyone representing Rooftop always shows their identification when visiting residents, and anyone making a call on our behalf would not refuse to name their company. We appreciate that unsolicited visits or calls can be quite distressing and would urge any concerned residents to contact us on 0800 0421 800  if they experience any incidents of this kind."

Head of Worcestershire Regulatory Services, Steve Jorden advised " Worcestershire residents should be alert to any unsolicited door to door callers and  telephone calls from unknown individuals who are trying access their  properties. All housing association residents should check with their own association using a contact number from the telephone directory if they receive any unsolicited calls. Other residents should be on their guard and look out for elderly or vulnerable neighbours to ensure that they are not targeted by bogus callers. If residents are concerned by callers they should report these incidents  to the Police."

Advice on your consumer rights and to order a NO Cold Caller Card please contact Consumer Direct on
08454 04 05 06

To report a suspicious incident contact West Mercia Police on   0300 333 3000

Rooftop Housing Ltd  on 0800 0421 800

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January 2011 - Prize Winning Postal Scams

Following recent articles in the newspapers regarding scams, an observant Bromsgrove resident thought it best to check out the contents of an envelope, he had received, with the Corporate Fraud Section at Bromsgrove Council.

Enquiries have revealed that the resident was targeted by post, with the scammers sending him notification, on official looking paper, that he had won £10,000 in an international prize competition.

In order to claim the £10,000, the documentation advised sending a registration fee of £10 (reduced from £15) to an address in North Kansas City, Missouri, USA.  An envelope was even supplied to allow the recipient to return the registration fee.

Marie Wall, Fraud Services Manager, confirmed “This is a well known scam that, on this occasion, has been prevented due to an alert resident.  Scams are schemes that have a sole aim of conning you out of your money.  Fake lotteries and prize draws, bogus psychic predictions, get-rich-quick investments and ‘miracle’ health cures are just some of the many tricks used by scammers.”

“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  You may be contacted out of the blue, either by telephone, letter or email from someone you have never heard of before.  Pressure tactics such as “if you don’t act now, you will miss out” are normal, giving you little time to think.  Often you will be asked to send either money or a cheque, or your bank details.  If you see any of these signs in a letter, telephone call, text message or email it could well be a scam” 

“Every year it is estimated that three million people fall victim, losing on average £850 each, and sometimes a great deal more.  It’s not just your money that is at risk but it can also be extremely distressing for the victim. The best advice is to not reply, then bin it, delete it or hang up.  If you are still unsure you can call Consumer Direct for advice on 08454 04 05 06 ”

For details of the latest local scams, check out the Fraud Alerts page at www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/fraud .

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January 2011- 'Reductions in Electricity' Scam

A Bromsgrove resident has reported receiving a telephone call from a woman stating that she could reduce her electricity bills by 40% for the rest of her life.  The woman caller confirmed our residents’ name, address, and that her bills are paid by Direct Debit.  Confirmation was sought of the residents’ date of birth, which was given.

The woman caller then requested details of the residents’ bank and bank card expiry date, stating that these details were needed in order to get the free device, which could be simply plugged in, to gain the 40% discount.

Our resident did challenge the woman at this point and when she wasn't satisfied with the response, she asked to speak to the Supervisor. 

The male Supervisor gave a name, and stated he was from the Head Office of the Electricity Board (which no longer exists).  He provided a contact telephone number of 0208 432 9528 .  However our resident advises that the telephone number was not showing on her telephone display, but did show that the call was “International – Out of Area”.

The resident correctly advised the Supervisor that she would call back if she was interested.  However, the details have now been reported to the Police and to Trading Standards, in addition to Bromsgrove Council.

The District Council’s Fraud Services Manager Marie Wall said: “There are always telephone scams taking place that have the potential to affect anyone. In this case, our resident did the right thing and checked the number, but unfortunately not before giving out a date of birth. If you have any concerns over who you are talking to, please stop the conversation. Any genuine company will be more than happy for you to call them back once you have checked out their telephone number.  You can also call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506  with your concerns.

“Scammers do seem to target pensioners and more vulnerable people, so please ensure that members of your family are aware of these criminal practices and how to deal with them.”

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