DOORSTEP CRIME UPDATES

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Please note: If you do decide to deal with tradesmen who cold-call uninvited, make sure you obtain full name, address and landline details, ask for identification, and do not let them in the house.

Please be aware that you will have a seven-day cooling off period to change your mind, cancel any purchases you have made over £35, and obtain a refund. Also be aware that the contract will not be enforceable against you unless information about your right to cancel is given in writing.

Please refer any complaints to Lancashire Trading Standards Service, 56-58 Guildhall Street, Preston, Lancs via Consumer Direct tel 08454 040506. If there is any threat or fear of burglary contact the police at once.

Doorstep Crime Update

27 April 2007

Residents are advised to be wary of unsolicited letters purporting to be from a Zimbabwean widow whose husband was shot by Mugabe's regime. She has allegedly sold off her husband's assets & her sons are seeking asylum. She needs to use someone's bank account to put the money in & will then pay you a sum of it. All you need to do initially is send them your bank account details. The letter says that the widow can't live much longer like this, and appeals to people's consciences to help.

It goes without saying that this is another variant of the African bank account scam.

In addition, consumers in the Fleetwood area are receiving unsolicited calls from a company claiming to be from the Department of Works and Pensions and requesting bank account details. Residents are advised never to give out personal information out over the phone, since genuine companies will not call unsolicted and demand such information.

Bogus Foreign Lotteries

27 April 2007

Residents are advised that Lancashire Trading Standards Service is still receiving complaints about bogus foreign lottery companies, especially the one based at Romano No. 19, Plantas, Madrid, Spain, which starts by informing customers they have won a large sum of money but that they must pay an initial £500 administration fee, and hand over personal bank account details.

Any vulnerable individuals should be warned that there is an increasing number of these types of companies out there, that it is impossible to win on a foreign lottery unless you actually participate in one, and that many genuine national lotteries are only open to a country’s own residents.

No bona fide lottery, such as the El Gordo Spanish National Lottery, would demand up-front fees. And never give out your personal bank details in response to an unsolicited call or mailing.

Bogus Age Concern Representatives

27 April 2007

Residents are advised to be wary of anyone cold calling at the door and claiming to be collecting for Age Concern.

Lancashire Trading Standards Service is currently dealing with queries from the Knott End area regarding individuals asking for cans of food for the elderly. These people are not authorised by Age Concern and the worry is that this might be a cover for distraction burglary or some other scam.

10 April 2007

Residents are advised to be wary of unsolicited letters requesting £20 from an alleged psychic based at a C/O in Switzerland. The name on the letters is Gaberil D’Angelo.

The letters ask for bank and card details, and appear to be another variant of the psychic scam which hits Lancashire from time to time.

In the past those who have not paid on receiving similar letters have been targeted with subsequent letters threatening dark consequences for those who do not co-operate, while those who do pay may be put on a list of susceptible individuals and receive further demands.

Please reassure any friends or neighbours receiving these letters that even though efforts have been made to ensure they look individual, they are actually mass-mailed out to bought mailing lists as a money-making scam.

Doorstep Crime Update- Fish Seller/ Army Donations/ Damproofing Company

20 March 2007

Lancashire Trading Standards Service wishes to warn Lancashire residents about a white male carrying a black case and a clipboard, who is currently door-stepping residents in the Poulton-Le-Fylde area, and claiming that he is selling intercoms for £100.

It is believed that this man could be a bogus salesman attempting to gain access to homes.

We strongly advise residents not to deal with any cold callers.

22 February 2007

Residents are advised to be wary of the following practices:

Lancashire Trading Standards Service is currently dealing with complaints from the Wrightington area regarding a ginger-haired man driving a white Ford Transit van, and taking cash for frozen fish, which he does not then deliver.

We are also dealing with complaints regarding a telephone company, which is cold-calling consumers throughout the county, and requesting donations for named Army Regiments. The information obtained so far show there is no link with the named regiments and on no account should consumers be handing over personal or credit card information to such callers on the telephone.

Finally, a damp proofing company we have previously had problems with is back in the Lancaster area, cold calling often elderly consumers and making appointments to come round and do work which may prove to be costly and unnecessary.

Doorstep Crime Update- Fascias

7 December 2006

Lancashire Trading Standards Service wishes to warn Lancashire residents about a casually dressed white male with an Irish accent and a clipboard full of photographs, currently operating in the Skelmersdale area, who tries to persuade residents that their fascias need replacing.

We advise residents not to deal with this man or let him in the house.

Doorstep Crime Update- Building Services

5 December 2006

Lancashire Trading Standards Service wishes to warn North Lancashire residents about a builder who is currently touting for business in the Knott End area by leafleting the homes of vulnerable and elderly residents.

It is believed that the man, who drives a green Ford Transit and is believed to live in East Lancashire, may overcharge for any work he carries out.

Doorstep Crime Update- Fascias

16 October 2006

Lancashire Trading Standards Service wishes to warn Lancashire residents about three aggressive, well-built men with Irish accents currently operating in the Ormskirk area, and trying to bully residents into having fascias replaced.

The three men drive a small white van with Pave Drive written on the side. We advise residents not to deal with these men or let them in the house.

We also have reports of traders with Irish accents in the Skelmersdale area, who are digging up driveways without the consent of the homeowners, and then demanding large amounts of cash to pave them. We would appreciate neighbours watching out for such activity if they live close to anyone who may be vulnerable.

Doorstep Crime Update- Roofing Work/Distraction Burglary

04 October 2006

Lancashire Trading Standards Service wishes to warn Lancashire residents about a variety of methods currently being used to enter the homes of vulnerable or elderly residents.

Firstly, two men with Geordie accents and driving a red Ford Transit van are currently believed to be cold calling residents in the Lytham area. They are offering work on roof tiles and then asking if they can come in to borrow antiseptic cream for a rash.

Secondly, a company claiming to be carrying out asthma surveys is cold telephone calling residents in the Hyndburn area. After the survey the residents are informed they have won two weekends away. We believe this is a way to obtain address details. The salesmen who then arrive as a result of the calls are believed to be hard-selling air conditioning and give the company name Vortex.

Doorstep Crime Update- Bogus Spanish lottery

05 September 2006

LANCASHIRE Trading Standards are warning consumers not to fall prey to a new scam which aims to empty their bank accounts by claiming they have won the Spanish Lottery.

Officers are urging people not to be taken in by unsolicited phone calls or letters informing them they have had a massive win on the Spanish Lottery - even though they have not entered.

Lancashire County Council Trading Standards and the Police have been contacted by members of the public who have been told they have won up to £750,000 on the “Lottery Primitiva”. There is a legitimate Spanish lottery known as La Primitiva but La Loteria Primitiva is an invention.

Anyone who responds will be asked to send money so that the claim can be processed. No bona fide lottery will demand up front fees.

Lancashire’s Chief Trading Standards Officer, Jim Potts, said: “This is a complete fraud and our advice to people is to bin the letters and do not respond to any phone calls. You have to ask yourself how you can have won a competition that you have not even entered.

This latest variation on a lottery scam requests that recipients complete a “lottery payment processing form” giving full personal and financial details including bank accounts supposedly for the payment of winnings by bank transfer. Such details can then be used to commit fraud such as identity theft.”

County Councillor Jean Battle, Cabinet member for Community Planning and Partnerships, added: “Trading Standards have warned Lancashire residents about a growing number of ‘prize’ offers ranging from ‘free holidays’ to ‘lottery wins’ in the past.

“However, the latest scam claiming a link to the Spanish Lottery is extremely worrying as Lancashire consumers can be misled into paying thousands of pounds on the false promise of a huge lottery payout awaiting them.

“This year in Lancashire one man paid over almost 85000 euros on the assurance that he had won a substantial amount of money on a similar lottery scam. This money is highly unlikely ever to be recovered.

“Inevitably fictitious addresses, bank accounts and telephone lines make it very difficult for the Police and Trading Standards to trace these criminals.

“We would ask the friends and relatives of any vulnerable consumers to be particularly aware of this fraud and seek to dissuade neighbours and family from responding to these offers. Never give out personal information and financial details to these types of companies.”

Doorstep Crime Update- oil Painting Sales

01 September 2006

Residents are advised to be wary of anyone cold calling at the door and offering to sell oil paintings.

Lancashire Trading Standards Service is currently dealing with queries from the Ormskirk area regarding individuals selling artworks in this manner, and our advice is never to deal with doorstep traders you do not know.

Doorstep Crime Update- Bogus Roofer

21 July 2006

Residents are advised to be wary of anyone cold calling at the door and offering to replace slates.

Lancashire Trading Standards Service is currently dealing with complaints from the Barnoldswick, Pendle area regarding a white man in his fifties, driving a light grey Ford Transit van. The man refuses to give a name when challenged.

Doorstep Crime Update- Fire Extinguisher Sales

21 July 2006

Small traders are advised to be wary of anyone cold calling at the door and offering to sell fire extinguishers at inflated prices.

Lancashire Trading Standards Service is currently dealing with complaints from the Accrington area regarding a company using scare tactics to insist that small shops will be prosecuted under the incoming Fire Safety Order if they do not possess two such extinguishers. This is not the case, and small traders should be aware that any company selling fire extinguishers door-to-door has no links with the Fire Brigade, the Health and Safety Executive or local councils.

If a business wishes to know more about fire safety and the new regime of risk assessments they are advised to call their local Fire Officer, usually available at the local fire station.

Warning- Damp Proof Company

7 July 2006

Residents are advised to be wary of anyone ringing up or cold calling at the door and offering a free home damp proofing survey.

A company currently believed to be operating in the Fylde and Wyre area is making money by selling unnecessary and ineffective damp proofing treatment at an inflated price to householders.

Under no circumstances should residents allow representatives of any damp proofing company into their homes, without ensuring the work actually does need carrying out, checking credentials and references, and getting other quotations for the job.

10 January 2007

The Office of Fair Trading is warning consumers not to respond to a new employment opportunity scam currently targeting the UK.

The mailing from a business called "Paid Surveys" states that it is a consumer employment firm using "mystery shopping" to assist companies in improving customer service. Recipients are told that they have been chosen as a secret shopper and will be paid £350 for their first assignment. This is said to involve posing as a potential customer at a number of retailers and evaluating their service. Recipients are asked to contact an agent for detailed instructions.

A cheque made out to the recipient, and allegedly backed by a reputable bank, is attached to the mailing to cover pay and other expenses. The victim is instructed to cash the cheque and then to immediately complete one of their assignments by posing as a customer of a money transfer agency and wiring £1,500 to a fake "relative" at an address in Canada. However, the cheque is counterfeit and the scammer collects the money wired to Canada. Victims could be liable for any funds they spend while waiting for the cheque to pass through the banking system, and end up losing over £1,500.

Although the mailing refers to an address for "Paid Surveys" as being East London, the address, which is cited, in fact belongs to a legitimate business. The mailing appears to originate from Canada but uses a United States fax number.