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March 2009 to July 2009
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Alerts-Equestrian Crime Chorley
Bogus caller warnings-Driveline
Scam warnings-Beware of Vehicle Matching Scams
Bogus caller warnings-Clothing colection for Cancer Prevention
Bogus caller warnings-Doorstep Issues2
Bogus Caller - Gardening Services
Bogus caller warnings-Mixed warnings from Trading Standards
Bogus caller warnings-Doorstep Issues
16 July 2009
Residents are asked to be alert to a driveways and paving company believed to be cold calling multiple addresses and carrying out paving work throughout East Lancashire . Recent reports come from the Hyndburn and Pendle areas.
An address in Salford is given by this company, who use an 04 registered White Citroen Relay van and display 0800 and 07776 numbers.
There are four white men, two brothers who are in charge and two Eastern European workers.
Work is believed to be expensive and of poor quality, older consumers are targeted with high pressure sales techniques, deposits are demanded up front and on occasion consumers are driven to the bank to withdraw payment. It is also believed that consumers are not given the required information as to their rights to cancel the work.
Alert-Leaflet deliverers 02/07/09
Just a word of warning from a colleague in South Ribble where they had several Latvians dropped off in the Penwortham Area yesterday delivering charity leaflets.
One of the males has delivered a leaflet to a property and on seeing the front door open has entered and stolen a mobile phone. The male was arrested a short time later.
We are not sure if these males are going to be out and about again today, or which area they may be visiting next, but as this information has already been circulated to South Ribble Neighbourhood Watch for your information, in case they start delivering in our area.
Alert-Door to door antique dealers
Doorstep Issues
29 June 2009
Residents are asked to be wary of the following individual:
A collector of antiques was known to be operating in the LOW CROSS area of Fleetwood late lat week (25/26 June)
He leaflets properties and then goes to knock on doors a few days later. He buys anything of value, and is believed to be targeting older people, using high pressure sales techniques and paying very litle for the goods. The business address on his leaflets is Portsmouth – but the address given is not believed to exist. The trader drives a Blue Transit Panel van with a 08 registration and a mobile number on the side.
The leaflets are A3 in size and claim on them “If you doubt me, call the Police they will reassure you”
They show pictures of gold, antiques etc.
and also recieved on 28/06/09
The alleged Portsmouth antique dealers have been visiting Lancashire again in the Poulton and Wyre areas. They appeared on Tuesday and were stop checked by the Police and moved on. They have historically targeted quiet rural areas around good class residential properties and generally work in teams.
They are still using the same format, as in previous visits, by using a leaflet which is a folded over A3 sheet with pictures of medals, jewellery, ornaments and clocks. It is really interesting that they are now asking for the leaflets to be returned on their revisit. The leaflets are asking for anyone wishing to sell such items that they should contact them via a phone call when they will return to the address. Advice is that anyone wishing to sell items (including those listed above) should contact a local antique dealer, or two, for a valuation and not utilise anyone who tries to sell you services on the doorstep.
At the Poulton visits Trading Standards, who have had previous dealings with these people, are going to instigate a press release regarding these visits, for any resident to make contact should they appear in any other of our communities in the Lancashire area. I will forward this to you as soon as I am in receipt of it.
Alert-Equestrian crimes Chorley area 25/06/09
Over the last couple of days there has been a rise in the number of crimes committed involving equestrian equipment. The following are a resume of the crimes reported:
Overnight between 1800 hrs and 0645 hrs 21/22 nd June 2009 a burglary other than in a dwelling was reported in Charnock Richard were offenders forced a wooden framed locked door and stole 21 leather saddles and 6 leather bridles.
Also overnight 1800 hrs and 0955 hrs on 21/22 nd June 2009 a burglary other than in a dwelling was reported in Mawdesley were an attempt was made on the tack room. No property reported stolen.
Overnight between 1800 hrs and 1000 hrs on 20/21 st June 2009 there was a report of a burglary other than in a dwelling on a small holding/allotment in Eccleston where the following equipment was stolen: chain saws; petrol strimmer; mucking out forks; horse whip; and plant sprayer.
There is obviously criminals currently active in the rural areas of Chorley Borough and local communities are asked to report to the Police immediately if they see anyone acting suspiciously, or if they have any information regarding the above crimes, on telephone number 0845 1 25 35 45.
22 June 2009
Residents are asked to be aware of the following practice:
Unknown male described as white, stocky build, 50 yrs, clean shaven and bald head, is known to have approached older residents of flats, knocked and stated that he is here to check electrical sockets. He uses a small machine to check sockets, which he places on the kitchen worktop. He asks occupant to stay in the kitchen and switch sockets on and off at his request, whilst counting to ten, while he checks sockets in the living room and bedroom. Cash and jewellery are then taken.
We advise residents never to deal with cold-callers, to ensure you obtain full name, address and landline details from all workmen, and to double-check identification and references from other customers- do not assume credentials are genuine.
18 June 2009
Residents are asked to be alert to a driveways company believed to be cold calling and carrying out paving work throughout the county, using various names including Driveline and Discount Paving.
An address on Windrows, Skelmersdale WN8 8NN is given on some of the paperwork given out by this company. This address is currently occupied by a lady who has no connection with the company.
Consumers who have dealings with this company should be aware they may find it difficult to contact the traders afterwards if there are any problems with the work carried out. If anyone obtains an alternative address for this company please let Lancashire Trading Standards Service know.
Scam warnings-BEWARE OF VEHICLE MATCHING SCAMS
28 May 2009
A scam is a scheme designed to con you out of your cash. Car-matching scams involve canvassers' cold-calling consumers who have advertised their cars for sale in local newspapers, motor magazines and websites and promising them that there are immediate and specific buyers for their cars. Sellers are induced into paying these companies an advance fee and promised that if their car is not sold they will be offered a refund“. Unfortunately in many cases the promised buyers do not materialize and neither does the promised refund.
Fraudulent car matching designed to con consumers out of their money when no service is intended to be provided or in fact supplied are against the law
How to protect yourself
• Stop, think and be sceptical if you are cold called and are asked for money in advance.
• Don't give your credit or debit card details to people you don't know.
• Stop, think and be sceptical if promises are made which gives the impression that there are immediate buyers for your car, that finance has already been arranged for potential buyers, that buyers are willing to pay your asking price or more, there are buyers ready to view your car immediately or that you will be offered a refund if the car does not sell. I f it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
• Don't be pressured into anything
• If in doubt about a particular telephone call, hang up
• For more information on vehicle matching scams go to www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/vehiclematching
Bogus warnings-Bogus Clothing Collection for Cancer Prevention
15 May 2009
Lancashire residents are asked to be wary about a misleading clothing collection company which is currently targeting the county.
Lancashire Trading Standards Service has received information about a company leafleting households in the Accrington area this week. They are likely to now be heading elsewhere.
The leaflets are headed with Do Not Delay, bear a ribbon motif as background print and claim the company is collecting on behalf of a breast cancer protection programme for women in Europe , connected to stock collector Intersecond Ltd. Intersecond Ltd has stated that any leaflet distribution in England using the Do Not Delay or Intersecond Ltd name will be fraudulent and will not be associated with the company. Genuine collections use a logo'ed plastic bag rather than leaflets. Leaflets may be used elsewhere but not in England .
If consumers have spare clothing and wish to donate it to a charity, it is advisable to give to an organisation you recognise or have had dealings with before. Look for a registered charity number on the flyer, rather than just a registered company number, and check it with the Charities Commission. Also look for manned landline numbers rather than mobile numbers or no numbers at all. If there is any doubt, bag the unwanted clothing and take it straight to the shop of your choice, or to one of the collection points in supermarket car parks.
Bogus warnings-Doorstep issues 2
11 May 2009
Lancaster area- there is an alarm and security company targeting residents stating they work in conjunction with Lancaster city council (not true) and giving advice on security. Residents get a free security marker pen and shredder – but they have to agree to a visit first. One consumer was also asked if she lived alone and owned her own property. In reality the trader wants consumers to sign up to a 5 or 10 year contract for maintenance checks on the security system, which will cost thousands, and can tie the resident into a burdensome credit agreement.
Clitheroe area- clothing collection company A & P Collection Ltd are currently delivering flyers and collecting items for selling abroad. Residents are advised to read the leaflet carefully- as stated, donated items will provide jobs in transport and sorting, however the organisation is not a charity. In addition, A & P Collection Ltd no longer exists and has been dissolved hence we are unsure who is currently behind these collections.
Preston area- male, dark hair, fifties, grey anorak has carried out a distraction burglary on a lady and stolen a handbag and jewellery after saying he was visiting to check radiators. Another man has been in the same area claiming that he works for the government and is carrying out a survey, possible asking personal questions dealing with identification issues.
Bogus warnings-Gardening Services
20 April 2009
Residents are asked to be wary of the following practice currently operating in Lancashire :
Outer Blackburn/ Ribble Valley area, mid April 09- consumers have reported two Caucasian men in a small yellow van bearing gardening signs on the side, who cold call and falsely claim to be from the Environmental Health Service. They state they have received reports that the consumer's house is overrun by rats. When it becomes apparent that this is not the case the men start to offer gardening services instead.
We have received a report that these men have also targeted the Clayton-le-Dale area on a previous occasion.
2 April 2009
Residents are asked to be wary of the following practices currently operating in Lancashire :
East Lancashire area- a Lancashire-based window company has been cold calling in Burnley and the Ribble Valley over the last week offering double glazing. It is believed that salesmen have misled residents by stating that if they do not have the latest most energy-efficient type of double glazing installed they will be penalised by the borough council by having their council tax raised. This is not the case.
Burnley area- four men in two plain vans, a white Fiat and a white Transit, are targeting the Burnley area offering to jetwash and pave driveways. No paperwork or cancellation rights are given- the latter is a criminal offence. Pressure is put on residents to pay cash and pay before the job is finished, and the traders offer to drive them to the bank. Only mobile numbers are given. The two men in charge have Irish accents. They are currently believed to be operating in the Worsthorne/Brownside area.
Fylde area- a small blonde lady in a silver 4x4 has been calling door-to-door in Lytham St Annes claiming to work for a large house builder which is selling surplus carpet stock. The carpets sold are misdescribed as wool when they are actually nylon and are smaller than claimed.
30 March 2009
Residents are asked to be wary about a CCTV installer currently operating in the Preston area and believed to be targeting sheltered accommodation.
Three men have been knocking on doors with a view to selling and installing a CCTV camera which they claim will allow residents to view who is at the door via a link to their TV set. They all wear ID badges on yellow neck-straps, leading residents to believe the men were from the Council.
Elderly residents are told lots of people are having the installations in their area, and are pressurised into having the work done even if they say they are not interested. A camera is then installed in the porch and a wire is sent through the UPVC doorframe, along the carpet, into the lounge and then connected to the TV.
The charge is £300 cash and only basic, handwritten receipts are issued.
Before leaving one resident's house they said they would be back the following day to finish off, but they did not return. The system does not appear to be working at the moment and the workmanship is of an extremely poor standard. No Cancellation Notice was issued to the resident- a criminal offence.
Descriptions of the men are as follows
• The “Electrician” – 40's , 5 ft 8,slim build, short dark hair, fawn coloured jacket
• The “boss” – 40's ,shorter, medium build , leather jacket (shaded brown) , dark hair
• 3 rd man – taller 5ft 9 – 6ft , thick set, fair skin, fair hair, navy blue suit, brief case
Bogus warnings-Mixed Warnings from Trading Standards
26 March 2009
Residents are asked to be wary of the following practices currently operating in Lancashire :
Adlington area- a young man from Bury who is cold calling and jetwashing driveways for £200, no paperwork is given
Burnley area- a company phoning businesses stating that there will be an immediate fine of £2,500 for not being correctly insured and attempting to obtain bank or card details. Residents are also being targeted with claims that prizes have been won in the 'Best Of' prize draw mailings, based in Belgium .
Wyre area- a roofing company cold calling and offering to carry out work on bargeboards and soffits, allegedly claiming they are from the local council carrying out checks on roofs, gutters and drains- amounts of £700 are often charged
County-wide- Alarms company offering 'free' alarms on the phone then charging many thousands for service contracts, and a security company purchasing cheap CCTV equipment from stores and inflating the price to £900 or £1000 when sold to consumers
County-wide- holidaymakers returning from Spain are being targeted with letters claiming to be from the 'Ministerio del Interior' demanding payment for speeding fines
County-wide- a company called Aqaa, Zurich is sending large cheques to residents and asking them to send some of the value on to another via Western Union- by the time this has happened the original cheque will have bounced
County-wide- Scam where a caller claims to be from the Royal Bank of Scotland and demands payment of £49.99 for essential forms
Consumers agreeing to deal with traders where the contract is agreed at the consumer's home should be aware that they will have a seven-day cooling off period to cancel any work agreed to, or any purchases made over £35, although in certain circumstances the customer may have to pay for any goods installed or work carried out so far. Also be aware that the contract will not be enforceable against the customer unless information about your right to cancel is given in writing.
We advise residents never to deal with cold-callers, to ensure you obtain full name, address and landline details from all workmen, and to double-check identification and references from other customers- do not assume credentials are genuine. Also ensure any price you are quoted is fair and genuine by obtaining estimates from other traders, and by ensuring the work agreed and the price to be charged is written down on a quotation before you agree to the work starting.