Tag: scam
Don’t get Petfished: Warnings against opportunist lockdown pet sellers
Vets, charities and animal-loving celebrities have joined forces with a government campaign to warn prospective pet owners against unknowingly buying puppies, kittens, cats and dogs from unscrupulous sellers amid a rise in demand for pets since lockdown.
An open letter, signed by celebrities including Kirsty Gallacher, Paul O’Grady, Amanda Holden and David Gandy, and supported by charities including Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, the Blue Cross, Cats Protection , Dogs Trust and the RSPCA, is calling on the public to research sellers thoroughly online before buying.
The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) said that vets are dealing with ongoing cases where owners have been sold sick puppies and kittens by unscrupulous dealers as a result of new owners not researching sellers before buying their new pet.
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One in three Brits targeted by a scammer during lockdown
Over a third of British adults (36%) have been the target of a scam since lockdown began, new research by Citizens Advice has revealed.
Polling conducted on behalf of the charity also found that certain groups were at an increased risk of being contacted by a scammer. This was often those who could least afford it:
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Bedfordshire Police issues warning on NHS Test and Trace scams
Bedfordshire Police is urging members of the public to be vigilant following reports of fraudsters posing as people from the NHS Test and Trace service.
The Test and Trace system is part of the government’s efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus. It uses contact tracers to get in touch with those who have had recent close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
But, a number of fraudsters are using this to their advantage and posing as contact tracers to trick people into parting with their personal information.
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Coronavirus fraud and scam warning
Bedfordshire Police has said that it has been made aware of a number of scams which use the Coronavirus pandemic in their messages.
Adding that fraudsters are using concerns over the pandemic to take advantage of their victims.
It is encouraging Bedfordshire residents to be vigilant against any unsolicited messages from unknown sources asking for personal details.
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DVLA warns motorists to be aware of scams
DVLA has revealed a 20% rise in scams reported to their contact centre, with 1,538 reports about suspected vehicle tax scams during the last 3 months of 2019.
It comes as new figures show a 20% increase in scams reported to DVLA. With 1,538 reports made to agency in the last three months of 2019.
The reports of suspected web, email, text or social media scams were up from 1,275 in the same period in 2018.
DVLA has released the images of recent scams reported to help motorists be aware of what to look out for and issue a clear warning that if something offered online or by text message appears too good to be true, then it almost certainly is.
Scammers are targeting unsuspecting customers with links to services that don’t exist and messages of tax refunds, all of which are fake.
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Suspicious telephone calls offering crime prevention equipment
Trading Standards has received reports from concerned local residents who have recently received an unsolicited telephone call from a ‘home security’ business.
During the call, the caller attempts to arrange an appointment for a someone to visit the resident’s home to discuss and offer crime prevention equipment.
The caller may make claims such as “the police no longer respond to home security alarms” or that they are “working closely with local Police to provide residents a special offer”.
Trading Standards believes these callers maybe targeting elderly and vulnerable residents. Although it urges anyone who receives this type of unsolicited telephone call to act with caution.
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Speak to your close ones about ‘courier fraud’
Bedfordshire Police is supporting a national campaign targeting courier fraud. It is encouraging residents to speak to their elderly friends and family about spotting the signs of impersonation fraud.
A national campaign, co-ordinated by the City of London Police, will focus on educating potential victims on the different ways criminals con vulnerable and elderly people out of their money.
Courier fraud often starts with a cold call where the fraudster claims to be a police officer or a bank official.
The fraudsters will say there’s an issue with the victim’s bank account or request their assistance with an ongoing bank or police investigation.
The ultimate aim of this call is to trick the victim into handing over money or bank details.
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Bogus “Amazon Prime” telephone calls
Act with caution if you receive a suspicious telephone call! Trading Standards has warned...
Read MoreWarning over telephone scam targeting elderly
Bedfordshire Police is issuing a warning to residents about telephone scammers following three incidents in the county.
Several elderly Bedfordshire residents have been targeted in the last 24 hours by fraudsters posing as police officers. In one instance, a victim was conned into paying suspects £5,000. In two further incidents, the transactions were recognised as fraud and halted.
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Central Bedfordshire Council urges residents to take up the fight against scams
Central Bedfordshire Council’s trading standards is backing a grassroots scheme for a community-based effort against the spiralling number of scams and cons circulating throughout the area.
Friends Against Scams is coordinated by the National Trading Standards Scams Team and promoted by local trading standards teams nationally, and gives people the tools they need to recognise scams and to take steps to make a difference.
The first stage is to take a free,20-minute online training session or attend a presentation which raises awareness of the common types out there, the skills to avoid them and the confidence to spread the word to friends, neighbours and loved ones.
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HMRC warns on tax refund scams
Fraudsters after personal details HMRC is warning people to stay vigilant against fraudsters using...
Read MoreCouncil Tax refund scams
Telephone scam calls Central Bedfordshire Council is advising residents to act with caution if...
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