| SCAM #1
Looking at the latest data received from Action Fraud it is disappointing to see victims losing money to 2 telephone scams which are continuing to ‘do the rounds’ The first is from someone claiming to be from Microsoft or BT stating they have identified problems with the computer or router. The victim is then duped into downloading a piece of software (usually teamviewer) which enables the criminal to gain access to the victim’s computer. Access is then gained to the victim’s bank account and money withdrawn. The second scam involves a call from someone claiming to be from HMRC and that an outstanding tax bill is owed. The caller claims to have obtained a court order and that bailiffs are en route to collect the outstanding debt. The victim is then panicked into paying what they believe is an outstanding tax bill which of course doesn’t exist. Unfortunately the victims of these types of crime are invariably elderly. Please spread the word about these scams. The more people are aware, the more able they are to safeguard themselves. Remember the best way to protect yourselves against telephone cold calling is to purchase a call blocking device. Many new phones come with them pre-installed. In this day and age they are becoming a neccessity. Finally from all at North Yorkshire Trading Standards a very happy and ‘scam free’ Christmas and New Year.
SCAM#2
Have you lost money to a scam that has involved you transferring money abroad through Western Union? If so the below may be of interest.
The below email was circulated by Halton Trading Standards
Halton Trading Standards discovered that there’s a pot of money held by the Federal Trade Commission in the US to be used for scam victims who have paid using Western Union. We issued a press release and shared the information on the Scams Knowledge Hub but nobody picked up the story. Last week I emailed the Money Saving Expert and they published it. It was picked up by the Daily Mail.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/protect/2017/11/lost-money-to-a-scam-involving-western-union-wire-transfer-you-can-now-claim-a-refund-from-the-us?utm_source=MSE_Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=05-Dec-17-6895&utm_campaign=nt-moneysavingnews&utm_content=2
The process involves on online form to complete and you will need to upload the documentation you received when you transferred the money. Copy and paste the above link into your browser and follow the instructions from there
I would be interested to hear of anyone who is successful in this process
Andy Fox
North Yorkshire Trading Standards
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