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Alert From Trading Standards

Doorstep Charity Collection Warning
Nuneaton residents are warned to beware of doorstep charity collectors operating in the town who are reported to have pushed their way in to elderly people’s homes. One complaint related to a couple receiving a knock at the door from someone with poor English asking for a £10 donation for ‘disabled charities’. When the couple refused they dropped their request to £5 and then £2 and attempted to push their way in to he couple’s property.

Trading Standards Officers are concerned that these persistent approaches may be a prelude to a distraction burglary and warn residents to keep their doors closed.

Tax Arrest Threat Scam
Residents in Bedworth and across Warwickshire are warned to beware of phone calls from fraudsters claiming to be HMRC. The callers attempt to frighten residents by falsely suggesting that the Police are on the verge of arresting them for unpaid taxes. The fraudsters then ask the residents to pay the ‘tax bill’ often demanding they pay using iTunes gift card voucher codes.

A number of Bedworth residents have recently reported receiving these phone calls, but the problem is widespread across Warwickshire.

•HMRC will never use texts to tell you about a tax rebate or penalty or ever ask for payment in this way.
•Telephone numbers and text messages can easily be spoofed. You should never trust the number you see on your telephones display.
•If you receive a suspicious cold call, end it immediately.

Bitcoin investment scams
A Warwickshire resident reported losing over £3000 after being cold called and offered an opportunity to ‘invest’ in Bitcoins via an online platform. The resident transferred the money which was then almost immediately withdrawn by the fraudsters.

You can’t tell a good trader from a bad one over the phone. Never buy goods or services from cold callers.

Free solar panel ‘health check’
Owners of solar panels are warned to beware of letters and cold calls from bogus/high pressure companies offering solar panel ‘health checks’ that are in reality an opportunity to sell the resident highly priced and unnecessary warranties and additional solar panel equipment.

Bogus BT callers
Attempts are being made by fraudsters to obtain the banking details of Warwickshire residents by making calls falsely claiming to be BT and other telephone service providers. The fraudsters telephone unsuspecting consumers, claiming that their broadband speed is not as fast as it should be and offering them £200 refunds. They then ask for the individuals’ bank details to so they can ‘pay the money in’. In reality, bank details stolen in this way are used for criminal activity.