Protect Yourselves from Rogue Traders

Dear Watch Member,

After Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice both wreaked havoc across the country many of us sustained damage to our properties and are now experiencing the stress of arranging for repairs to be undertaken.

Unfortunately, fraudsters will use these storms as an opportunity to exploit you by overcharging for repairs or claiming that whilst working at a neighbours’ property they noticed that your property has loose / missing roof tiles, broken guttering, blown-down fences or tree damage etc.

They will sometimes say that they can fix the problem immediately with surplus building materials whilst they are in the area. This can inevitably lead to unnecessary or uncompleted work of poor standard.

Fraudsters may use intimidation and pressure you into making a quick decision that could prove to be an expensive one. They may also insist that you pay them in cash immediately, put down a deposit, or if demanding large sums of money, instruct you to make a bank transfer or offer to take you to your bank to withdraw the money.

Please encourage your relatives, friends and neighbours to be vigilant to these tactics. It is always advisable to find reputable traders via recommendations from friends or family, or use websites such as Which? Trusted Trader which you can visit with this link: Find traders near you with Which? Trusted Traders | Which?

For comprehensive advice on how to protect yourself from fraudsters please read the attached Little Book of Big Scams.

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If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Scam NHS Omicron Text Message

 

Dear Watch Member,

It’s not just the Omicron variant that is still in circulation; there is also a scam NHS text message regarding it too!

The text message informs its recipient that they have been in contact with someone infected with Omicron and they need to apply for a test kit using a link. The link appears to be for an urgent test kit.

Some of the recipients who have clicked on the link have entered their personal information and bank details after being asked to pay for postage of the kit.

This is a scam.  Please remember that unexpected texts may not be from whom they claim. You should never divulge any personal information or bank details after clicking on a link in an unexpected text or email.

  • NHS contact tracers will never ask for your bank account details or for any form of payment.
  • If unsure about a message of this nature, residents can call 119 to check with a genuine NHS professional.
  • You can report a suspicious text message for free by forwarding it to 7726. If you forward a text to 7726, your provider can investigate the origin of the text and block or ban the sender if it’s found to be malicious.
  • We would also advise you to report texts of this nature to Action Fraud www.actionfraud.police.uk.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Catalytic Converter Theft Webinar – 23/02/2022

Dear Watch Member,

We know many residents in Harrow are concerned about the rise in catalytic converter thefts and to discuss the issue Harrow Council and North West BCU police are holding a community webinar.

Catalytic converters, used to clean up exhaust gases and reduce pollution, are targeted by thieves because they contain precious metals.

These materials can be illegally recycled or sold for profit. Newer cars’ converters are fitted differently and are not typically targeted, while hybrid cars are the most popular for organised gangs because they contain the most precious metals.

At this webinar, hosted by Cllr Peymana Assad, you will hear from the police and council.

Join us on Zoom on Wednesday 23 February at 6.30pm.  

Speakers include:

  • Cllr Peymana Assad, Cabinet?Member for Community Cohesion, Crime and Enforcement
  • Chief Inspector Ed Baildon of the Metropolitan Police North West BCU

There will be an opportunity to ask questions.

Join the webinar on zoom using the following details:

Meeting ID: 849 6006 2958

Passcode: 678086

Download Associated Documents
Documents accompanying this message are linked below. Click to download and open a file which use the popular PDF format. If you experience problems downloading or viewing a file please visit this help page.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Scam WhatsApp Messages

Dear Watch Member,

There is currently a convincing WhatsApp scam in circulation responsible for some victims losing thousands of pounds.

The victims receive texts claiming to be from their son / daughter or other family member saying they have lost or broken their mobile phone, and that the number they are texting from is their new number. They then request financial help, asking that the money is sent urgently.

Some of the scam’s victims have suffered a significant financial loss in addition to emotional upset.

Please remain alert to this scam and warn others.

Remember that on WhatsApp (like emails and phone calls) people are not always who they claim to be. If someone claiming to know you asks for money or personal information, it is best to pause and check that they are who they claim to be – perhaps by speaking to them in person – before you consider acting on their request.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

COVID Passport Scams

Dear Watch Member,

Several OWL members have alerted us about receiving communications purporting to be “official notifications” regarding digital COVID-19 passports. In some cases, recipients have been asked to click on a link to accept an invitation to receive a COVID passport certificate confirming that they have been vaccinated.

Please beware of any similar unexpected communications, which may be a scam designed to capture your personal information or trick you into sending money.

Should you wish to find out how to obtain a COVID passport, you should visit the official NHS website at nhs.uk.

An NHS COVID Pass shows your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination details or test results. You may be asked to show your pass to travel abroad, or at events and venues asking for proof of your COVID-19 status. You can get an NHS COVID Pass digitally through the NHS App or the online NHS COVID Pass service; please visit nhs.uk for the official link.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Trading Standards Advice: Buying Online, Deliveries and Refunds

Dear Watch Member,

As Christmas approaches you will possibly be making increased online purchases.

Trading Standards offer these tips for buying goods online:

Look at reviews to build a picture of how reliable the seller is. Look for terms & conditions on their website.

Check if you are dealing with an online trader or a private seller on an online marketplace; your rights can be different. When buying from a private seller, goods must be as described and can’t be misrepresented (e.g. claiming used item is brand new) but private sellers don’t have to disclose faults of the items.

Before ordering, check delivery times and costs, and also the process / cost of returning items.

If you won’t be home, state where item should be left or ask a neighbour / friend to receive it at their address. This will be seen as receipt of delivery, so only do so if the space is safe, or the recipient will be home.

Your purchase and agreement (contract) is with the trader, so if a parcel goes missing, contact the trader, not the courier.

If you struggle to get a refund, check if the seller is part of a trade association or alternative dispute resolution scheme (see link below).

If you don’t get your money back from a seller, you may be able to ask your card provider or PayPal to help if your order hasn’t arrived, is faulty, not as described, or a seller has gone out of business. Send your card provider / PayPal a copy of your complaint email to the seller. You get valuable protection from using a credit card under S.75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (only for purchases between £100 – £30,000). If you used a debit card, charge card, (or credit card but S.75 doesn’t apply), you may be able to claim under the chargeback system.

For more details visit:

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/Solve-an-ongoing-consumer-problem/

 

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Warning – Parking Ticket Machine Scam


Dear Watch Member,

On the morning of Thursday 19th August an elderly gentleman was the victim of a parking ticket machine scam in Hatch End. The victim parked his vehicle in Grimsdyke Car Park (behind the shopping parade in Uxbridge Road) and paid for his parking ticket. As he walked along Uxbridge Road he was approached by a man who told him that he needed to confirm his parking ticket with a bank card. The man has then escorted the victim over to a nearby parking ticket machine, made him insert his bank card into either the change slot or ticket slot of the machine and input his PIN via the keypad used to input a vehicle’s registration number.

The man has then told the victim to wait by the ticket machine for a few moments until his bank card is released. However, the man had already stolen the victim’s bank card and withdrawn £500 from the victim’s account.

This scam has occasionally happened in Pinner but, whatever area you park in, please be wary of any helpful stranger offering to assist you with parking payment-related matters. And remember, you cannot pay for parking at any of the few cash machines left in Pinner, which is another scam previously reported to us.

Please inform elderly family members and neighbours of this scam to protect them from fraudsters.

For fraud prevention advice please on this link: www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 020 8721 2775

Loft Insulation Cold Calling Scam

Dear Watch Member,

Please be aware of a fraudulent cold calling scam currently targeting residents of Hertfordshire who have had spray foam loft insulation applied in the past. The fraudsters may tell you that there are issues with the original installation company and they may frighten you by talking about fire risks associated with that insulation. They will inform you that you will be able to reclaim the cost of the installation and that they will be able to remedy the works, essentially free of charge.

None of those claims are true. What is true however, is that customer lists have fallen into the hands of scammers who are making these targeted sales calls. Once in a property, they produce a ‘report’ indicating safety problems and then arrange to carry out ‘remedial’ works themselves.

Although they say the work is free, they will need paying first, telling you to try to claim money back from your bank for the original defective works. In the absence of a genuine inspection report, this will not happen. If payment was made by cheque or bank transfer, there is no obligation for the bank to pay anything back in these circumstances anyway. It is a scam.

If you, or anyone you know, has had this work done in the past please be prepared for these calls and tell them that you are not interested. Please don’t allow the trader to enter your home.

To report a fraud to the Police, please contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at www.actionfraud.police.uk.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 020 8721 2775

 

Scam Phone Calls

Dear Watch Member,

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) is warning the public to be vigilant of scam calls that appear to be coming from numbers similar to their own. Commonly, the first seven digits (07*****) match the victim’s own number. The calls impersonate well-known government organisations, or law enforcement agencies, and will ask the recipient of the call to “press 1” in order to speak with an advisor, or police officer, about unpaid fines or police warrants.

In May 2021, Action Fraud received 2,110 scam call reports where the caller’s number matched the first seven digits of the victim’s own phone number. Of these, 1,426 (68%) referred to HMRC or National Insurance.

Victims have also reported receiving these types of calls, and messaging, via widely-used messaging apps, such as WhatsApp.

  • Government and law enforcement agencies will not notify you about unpaid fines or outstanding police warrants by calling or texting you. Do not respond to any calls or texts you receive about these.
  • Always take a moment to stop and think before parting with money or your personal information, it could prevent you from falling victim to fraud. Remember, it’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
  • If you receive a suspicious text message, you can report it by forwarding the message to 7726. It’s free of charge.
  • Suspicious telephone/mobile calls can be reported to Action Fraud via their website: www.actionfraud.police.uk/report-phishing.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 020 8721 2775

 

 

Warranty Telephone Scams

 

Dear Watch Member,

Trading Standards is warning about telephone fraudsters mis-selling insurance for appliances. They claim to be from an insurance company and tell you that the warranty, for example on your fridge, has run out. They say they can renew it for you over the phone. Payment is taken and you may be sent paperwork. However it is a fraud. If your fridge breaks down, there will be no replacement or repair. Next year they will contact you again; what you thought was payment for 3 years was only for one year.

We advise that you don’t buy goods or services over the phone from a cold caller. With no chance to do your own checks, you don’t know if the call is genuine or if the price is a good one. In some cases, it would be cheaper to buy a new item than to buy the warranty.

To help protect yourself from these and similar calls:

For mobile phones, let callers who aren’t in your address book go straight to voicemail.

For landlines, contact your provider and ask for free caller display – if you can see who’s calling and it’s a number you don’t recognise, you will be on your guard immediately.

Contact your phone provider and ask if they offer free call blocking services. BT, Sky and Talk Talk are among providers who offer this service.

Keep your phone on answerphone during the day. Scammers won’t leave you a message. If you’re at home and hear someone genuine leaving a message, you can pick up the phone.

You can buy landline phones with built-in call blockers. Callers must say their name before you speak with them or not. You can also buy call blocking boxes that fit to an existing phone. They range in price, so think about what you need. These are available at all good retailers and online.

For advice on how to protect yourself from different types of fraud, go to www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]