April Scam Alerts: White goods, cold callers in Snodland, Empty Parcel, Job Advert Scams.
Dear Kent Residents The longer daylight hours have led to an increase in doorstep criminal activity, do not be tempted – if your garden needs a tidy or your driveway looks a bit shabby use a safe trader, get one from Trading Standards Checked.Remember never respond to cold callers whether at the door or on the telephone. Warn friends and family.Kind regards
Victim Safeguarding Officer
WHITE GOODS SCAM
Fraudsters telephone you and ask if you want to protect your electric goods by buying a warranty. They will put pressure on you to buy or mislead you into thinking you already have a policy that has expired.
🚨 Never respond to cold calls and please warn friends and family who may not be aware of this scam.
If you get a lot of these call make sure you are registered with Telephone Preference ServiceContact your telephone provider to see if they offer call blocking
For advice or to report contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline 0808 223 1133.
COLD CALLERS IN SNODLAND
We’ve received reports of cold callers active in Snodland this week.
Sometimes called ‘Duster Sellers’ or ‘Nottingham Knockers’ these cold callers will give you a sob story and try to sell you overpriced household items, such as dusters.
Their stories include being an ex-offender on a rehabilitation scheme. The Probation Service say they would never send an ex-offender to knock on doors.
Our advice is never deal with cold callers! Don’t open the door. Please warn friends and family!
Report to Kent Police on 101.If they are aggressive or refuse to leave dial 999
For advice contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline 0808 223 1133
EMPTY PARCEL SCAM
Kent resident had a parcel delivered that was just an empty box. They looked for the delivery company name online and called the number to let them know an empty box had been delivered to them and were charged £6 for a less than 15 second phone call.
For advice or to report contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline 0808 223 1133.
JOB ADVERT SCAM
More reports of Kent residents targeted by scam job adverts. Scammers try to steal your identity by asking you to give them copies of passport, driving licence or bank account details.
Personal information is extremely valuable to criminals. They use your details to impersonate you and apply for products and services such as bank accounts, loans, and credit cards. They may also target you asking for upfront fees.
Spot the signs:🚨Unrealistic salary🚨 Job offer without interview🚨 Poor written advert🚨 Being asked for money or personal details
For advice and to report contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline 0808 223 1133.
GOVERMENT ALERT SYSTEM
Government Emergency Alerts system – what you need to know
The UK government’s new Emergency Alerts system is now live 🚨
The system will enable people to be contacted via their mobile phone when lives are in danger.
It will be used to warn you in the event of emergencies, such as severe flooding.
Emergency Alerts are sent to all compatible mobile phones within an area of risk. They don’t track your location, need your phone number, or collect personal data. Only the government and the emergency services will be able to send them.
If you don’t have a mobile phone, you’ll still be kept informed through other channels.
If you get an Emergency Alert on your phone, you’ll hear a loud, siren-like sound. A message on your screen will tell you about the emergency and how best to respond. If you receive an alert, read it carefully and follow the instructions.
On Sunday 23 April there will be a national test, which will be received on compatible mobile phone handsets.
You can opt out of receiving emergency alerts; for more information on how to do this, click here
You can also visit the government website for the latest information.
FOR MANY SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE, A SILENT PHONE IS A SAFE PHONE
If you’re a survivor or you know a survivor of Domestic Abuse with a secret or secondary phone, the government’s new emergency alerts could reveal your phone even if it’s on silent.
Refuge have created an easy guide on how to turn them off.
If you have information on doorstep criminals, counterfeit, fake or illegal goods, illicit tobacco, loan sharks or those selling restricted items to underage kids, call the charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
To report scams and get advice on consumer issues call Citizen’s Advice consumer helpline on0808 223 1133. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/if-you-need-more-help-about-a-consumer-issue/