Don’t be taken for a mug!

With days to go until the coronation of King Charles III, Croydon Trading Standards are warning consumers to be wary of those who are looking to capitalise on the event.

Scammers and fraudsters are very adept at adapting their techniques to particular events and the Coronation is proving to be no different. Websites selling commemorative items such as mugs, plates and coins other coronation memorabilia, will often deliver sub-standard items or nothing at all.

Many of these websites are also insecure, meaning any data entered into them – such as credit or debit card information, addresses and usernames – can be easily harvested and sold onto third parties who will target individuals in the future.

Consumers are advised to stick to official merchandise sites, but even those can be impersonated by fraudsters, so check things such as fonts, grammar and spelling. Basic mistakes will often be a clear sign of a scam. Look also for a padlock symbol in your browser’s address bar – if one is not present, that clearly suggests issues with the website.

It is also important to be aware of phishing emails; if sent an email with a link to a shop, a simple way to avoid getting caught out is to copy and paste it into a web browser to help you identify if it is fake.

If in any doubt about the legitimacy of an email, contact the alleged sender directly but do not use any numbers or addresses in the email – search for the organisation online and contact it directly using the details on its website.

Further advice can be obtained by emailing
trading.standards@croydon.gov.uk

To report a suspected crime, or if you have fallen victim to fraud or cyber-crime, contact Action Fraud via its website or by calling 0300 123 2040

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) operates a phishing email reporting service, which can be reached by forwarding any suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you get an Emergency Alert on your phone tomorrow (April 23), you’ll hear a loud, siren-like sound. A message on your screen will tell you about the emergency and how best to respond. You’ll be able to check an alert is genuine and opt out at gov.uk/alerts

Please be aware that it is anticipated that criminals may seek to take advantage of this and may use the test to try and trick phone users into handing over personal data.

It is vital that you are aware no action is required if you receive the alert with regards to handing over information, downloading any app, or sending any information.

Reporting scam calls and texts is easy using the 7726 service which most major providers are signed up too.

• To report a scam text you copy the content of the text and start a new message to 7726, paste in the content and send the message. The service will then reply to you asking for the number the message was sent from. You copy and paste the number or manually type it in and send it as a message.
• To report a scam call number you just need to copy the number, put it into a text writing ‘Call’ before you put the number in and send it to 7726.

Investment scams are often conducted over the phone or online and increasingly via social media such as Facebook or Instagram.

Investment scams can result in people losing thousands of pounds for non-existent investment opportunities such as stocks & shares, wine or art investments, carbon trading or cryptocurrencies.

There has been a huge increase in cryptocurrency scams where the entities and persons coordinating the scams are all based abroad and there is no way to take enforcement action or recover any funds. We have also seen an increase in reports where people are engaged by scammers on dating sites and introduced to ‘investments scams’ during a ‘relationship’. Average losses are very high and in some cases people lose their whole life savings and pensions.

Please be very cautious in investing any money and take advice from a legitimate and trusted financial advisor prior to parting with any money. Often a little research online can result in finding out which are genuine investments and which are scams.

For further information about investment fraud please take a look at the Action Fraud website:
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud-category/financial-investment

Please remember to report to Action Fraud 0300 123 2040 https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime if you have actually been the victim of a scam or fraud.

Call Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline 0808 223 1133 or visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ to report a scam or if you require further advice in regards to scams or consumer matters.

We have been made aware of residents being approached in respect of Eco/Green insulation or solar panel installations claiming to be part of a government scheme supported by local authority.

Please do not sign up to any of these type of schemes following a cold call or leafleting. Whilst there are some schemes supported by the government the green energy sector has seen a large increase in scams which can result in you spending a lot of money on work and installations that will never benefit you and may be detrimental.

If you would like to find out if you are eligible for any type of grant funding for larger energy efficient measures such as insulation or new heating systems please contact Croydon Healthy Homes.

https://www.croydon.gov.uk/environment/sustainable-development/energy/croydon-healthy-homes

Croydon Healthy Homes  – Freephone number 0800 292 2529

Please leave a message including:
• your full name
• your full address, including postcode
• a daytime contact phone number
• or email healthyhomes@croydon.gov.uk

Please remember to report any scam to Action Fraud 0300 123 2040.
If you have actually been the victim of a trader or scam such as the above and need help, or you require consumer advice, please call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline 0808 223 1133