We have received reports of a rise in a type of scam known as ‘Wangiri’ phone calls. These are calls in which the scammer will ring a person’s phone number but immediately hang up in the hope that the recipient … Continued
From the Government website: The below are recommendations you should follow when a volunteer is helping you, especially if the volunteer is unknown to you. If a volunteer is helping you while you stay at home: do not give them … Continued
The scam tells recipients they are “eligible to apply for your vaccine” with a link to a bogus NHS website, trading standards officers have warned. That, in turn, asks for personal information and – crucially – bank details “for verification”. … Continued
Action Fraud is warning people selling items online to be on the lookout for criminals sending fake PayPal emails. Between January 2020 and September 2020, 21,349 crime reports were made to Action Fraud about fake PayPal emails. Victims reported losing … Continued
A new report from the Journal of Trading Standards warns that Criminals are posing as COVID marshals and medical professionals to gain access to people’s homes. The scam is similar to earlier incidents this year in which fraudsters would pretend … Continued
We’ve been getting reports of people receiving “track and trace NHS” phone calls, saying “we need to send you a kit. It’s £50. Can you give me card details?” This is a scam. Tests for Covid 19 are free from … Continued
This morning I’ve received two telephone calls from different numbers beginning 009144. The first time, without thinking I picked it up and it hung up. After doing some research it turns out to be a scam. They hope that people … Continued
Scammers posing as representatives of online retail giant Amazon are targeting the public via email and telephone in a series of phishing scams. The telephone scam consists of an automated call informing the recipient that they have opened an Amazon … Continued
National Trading Standards have teamed up with Trucall to offer free call blockers to consumers to help combat the rise of scam calls during the pandemic. They previously paused their call blocker project due to Covid-19 but will now re-open … Continued
Trading Standards have just informed us of a scam related to face masks. In the latest scam, people receive calls informing them that wearing a mask while outdoors is obligatory, with the endgame being selling overpriced masks to the unaware. … Continued
National Trading Standards are encouraging people to protect their neighbours by joining Friends Against Scams, which provides free online training to empower people to take a stand against scams. To complete the introductory 20-minute online course that gives a good … Continued
Scams can be clever and difficult to recognise, but there are things you can look out for. Citizens Advice have developed an ‘Online Scams helper’ to help you check if something is a scam, and what to do if you … Continued
Full Fact is an independent fact checking charity who There are lots of misleading claims about Coronavirus and Covid 19 going around and FactCheck “There’s a lot of information out there about the new coronavirus, but not all of it … Continued
A scam text has been sent telling people they are being given a £250 fine because they have been out of the house “more than once”.
For information/new on some of the latest scams please visit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000gxqv/breakfast-28032020
Apparently there are over 200 coronavirus specific scams going around. Please be aware. To watch this piece on this morning’s breakfast show please visit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000gxqv/breakfast-28032020 and fast forward to 2:53:00
BEWARE OF COVID-19 SCAMS (This article is from Somerset Trading Standards) Unscrupulous criminals are exploiting fears about COVID-19 to prey on members of the public, particularly older and vulnerable people who are isolated from family and friends. National Trading Standards … Continued