Category: Alerts

Trading Standards – TV Licensing Scams

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Fake emails purporting to be from TV Licensing are being used to lure people into giving away their bank details.

Scammers are sending fake emails using the official TV Licensing logo. The first email encourages the recipient to update their direct debit details.

In a second dodgy ‘TV Licensing email, scammers tempt recipients into clicking on a link and giving away their bank details under the guise of claiming a refund.

The email reads: ‘You are eligible to receive a tv license refund but due to invalid records, we were unable to credit your account. Please submit the request and allow us 5-7 days to process it.’

The URL included in the email starts with www.tvlicensing.co.uk (the official TV Licensing website) but also includes ‘.cs.update.your.licence’ followed by a series of random letters.

TV Licensing confirmed that these emails are not genuine. It said genuine emails and letters are personalised to include information such as your name, part of your postcode or your licence number.

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

 

Trading Standards – Electrical Safety Concerns

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As the colder months arrive and the cost of living continues to increase, charity Electrical Safety First have warned about the risks of unsafe and incorrect use of electrical, portable heaters.

Although electric heaters were not inherently dangerous, they could cause devastating fires if not used with care. Fan heaters pose a greater risk in the home.

Electrical Safety First is urging people using heaters to ensure:

  • the device is on a level surface, well away from anything or anyone that could knock it over
  • it is well away from combustible materials, such as paper, furniture or curtains
  • it is never used to dry clothes
  • it is never left unattended for long periods while in use, or while you are asleep
  • extension leads are not used to power a heater as they can easily be overloaded
  • you regularly inspect your heater for damage and deterioration

For further information and advice from Electrical Safety First, please visit:

Electrical Safety First – The UK’s Electrical Safety Experts

For the full article raising awareness of this issue please visit:
Cost of living: Electric heaters may pose fire risks despite savings – BBC News

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

Trading Standards Alert – Scams & Doorstep Crime

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Sometimes criminals impersonate Trading Standards Officers to carry out fraud or facilitate a scam.

We would never ask you for money, ask you to draw money out, or ask you for your PIN.

If you need to check the identity of a Trading Standards Officer – please call Croydon Trading Standards on 020 8407 1311.

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

Trading Standards Alert – Cost of Living Scams

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The Chartered Trading Standards Institute has issued a stark warning in regards to the number of scams appearing in relation to the cost of living crisis and wants to warn consumers about unwittingly engaging with scammers.

CTSI Lead Officer for Scams and Doorstep Crime, Katherine Hart, said:

“There has been a huge surge in energy-efficiency scams offering rebates and offers to apply for grants. With the rise of costs in fuel bills and the cost-of-living concerns during the upcoming winter months, I urge the public to be on its guard because these types of emails and texts are attempts to scam.

“I also expect that scammers will target households in the coming weeks regarding the £150 Disability Cost of Living payment. Households don’t need to apply for the rebate as suppliers are automatically applying it to bills for six months from October. If consumers receive emails or texts out of the blue, then report texts to 7726, emails to report@phishing.gov.uk and delete the message.

How to protect yourself

Energy Bill Discount: £400 off energy bills for households in Great Britain from October 2022. You do not need to apply for the scheme and you will not be asked for your bank details.

Disability Cost of Living Payment: £150 rebate. You do not need to apply for the scheme and you will not be asked for your bank details.

Spotted a suspicious text message? Forward it to 7726 (it’s free of charge). If you forward a text to 7726, your provider can investigate the origin of the text and arrange to block or ban the sender if it’s found to be malicious.

Received a suspicious email? Do not click on any links – simply forward the email to report@phishing.gov.uk and the National Cyber Security Centre will investigate.

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