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Trading Standards Scotland
05/05/22
Welcome to the latest edition of the Scam Share bulletin. 
Stay Scam Aware and please share any relevant information in this bulletin with friends and family.
In This Issue:
Recently Reported Scams Ongoing Scams / Campaigns Links to Further Information / Resources
Glossary
Where to Report Scams
Scams
In Scotland, report all scams to Advice Direct Scotland by calling 0808 164 6000 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or online at www.consumeradvice.scot

Fraud
If you have been the victim of fraud, report it to Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency. 

Suspicious Emails
You can forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk and send links from websites which you think are trying to scam the public to the National Cyber Security Centre's scam website reporting service at www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/about-this-website/report-scam-website

Suspicious Text Messages
If you receive a suspicious text message you can forward it to 7726. The free-of-charge ‘7726’ service enables your provider to investigate and take action if malicious content is found.
Recently Reported Scams
As more Scottish consumers struggle with price increases and rising energy bills, we are running a nationwide Shut out Scammers campaign with Police Scotland to combat a rise in doorstep scams linked to the cost of living crisis. 
The campaign will run for a month, with a different focus each week. This week, the focus is on doorstep crime and this edition of the bulletin features a case study recently reported in Scotland:
Roofing Scams
The Scam
A couple in the Borders were recently cold called by a company who offered provide thermal roof coating at a cost of £1,600. The salesperson claimed that the coating would prevent heat loss, preserving the life expectancy of the roof and adding value to the house. They also said the coating was available at a discount under a Government grant scheme, which was only running for a short time period.

The consumer was eager to take advantage of the deal and was eventually pressured into paying a £300 deposit.

Before the consumer had agreed to work being carried out, workers from the company started to pressure wash the roof - no roof inspection had been undertaken and the workers didn't use any safety equipment such as scaffolding or harnesses.

The company didn't return to complete the agreed work, but began hassling the consumer for the full payment, once visiting their property three times in one day. At this point, the consumer reported the company to Advice Direct Scotland.

How to Avoid
Don't deal with cold callers. If you need to call a trader for roofing work, find someone who has been vetted through a national or local authority approved trader scheme.

Rogue traders often imply that urgent work is required or that a special deal is only available for a limited time in order to pressure householders into making a decision quickly. Always take time to think before making a decision - don't agree to make any payments for goods or services on the spot.
Do plenty of research and get at least 3 quotes and check 3 review sites before having any work carried out. 

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'Ex-offender' Cold Callers
The Scam
There has recently been an increase across Scotland in reports of cold callers who say they are selling goods door-to-door as part of an 'ex-offender rehabilitation scheme'.

In some cases, the callers say they have just been released from prison or a young offenders institution and are selling goods to try and make some money before starting a college course. Others claim to be taking part in a Government scheme to help them obtain employment in sales.

They typically offer goods such as household cleaning products, gardening equipment or craft supplies. Some may ask for donations for ex-prisoners. If a householder does not have cash, the cold caller may provide bank account details so that they can transfer money.

Although some of these cold callers show some form of ID card, they often don't have a pedlar's certificate or a licence from the police to allow them to sell door-to-door in the local area. The goods they offer are usually of poor quality and overpriced.

How to Avoid

Never feel obliged to answer the door to a cold caller – it is your home and you should not let anyone in unless you feel comfortable.

If you do answer the door, verify that the person is genuine and take a note of the company’s details. ID cards can be faked – close the door and, rather than phoning the number on the ID card, look up the company’s number on their official website or in an official phone directory to check their identity. Legitimate callers will be happy to wait while you perform these checks.

If you feel uncomfortable or suspicious about a cold caller in your local area, phone Police Scotland on 101, or call 999 if you feel threatened.

Sign up for Neighbourhood Watch Scotland Alerts to stay up to date with what is going on in your community: www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk
 

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Holiday Scams
The Scam
Holidaymakers are being warned to be careful when booking travel and accommodation this summer, as a recent report by Lloyds Bank has shown that scams linked to holidays have increased by 33% in the last year.
Scams linked to hotels were up by 18%, and those linked to flight bookings were up by 13%.The biggest increase was in scams related to caravan holidays, which were up by 108%.

Last year, scammers posted fake adverts on social media for caravan breaks at the Craig Tara Holiday Park in Ayrshire. One woman paid £250 in cash for a four-night break at the park, only to discover on arrival that the caravan was not owned by the person advertising it. The fraudster had used pictures of a different caravan and did not have any affiliation with the park.
Although the woman was able to book a last-minute break through the holiday park, she was left £250 out of pocket.

How to Avoid

  • Do plenty of research before booking a holiday online. Before booking a holiday which you’ve seen on social media or in an unsolicited email, contact the company via their official website or publicly listed phone number to check that it is legitimately available at the price quoted and for the required dates. Where possible, book directly with the provider or through a reputable agent.
  • If you are unfamiliar with a company, check that they are a member of a recognised trade association such as ABTA or that they have been recognised by a national tourism organisation such as Visit Scotland.
  • Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails or social media adverts as they could lead to copycat websites which look similar to genuine booking websites, with similar URLs.
  • Where possible, pay using a credit card rather than via bank transfer – this will offer you more protection if you are a victim of fraud or if something goes wrong. Be suspicious if a provider will only give you the option to pay by cash or bank transfer.
  • Before making any payments, check the terms and conditions of the booking and the cancellation policy. Make sure you have contact details for the company or provider.
Scammers may also post fake accommodation listings to sites such as Airbnb and often ask for payment via bank transfer or outside the site’s payment system. Be wary if a listing asks you to contact the host outside the website’s mail system.


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New WhatsApp Support Scam
The Scam
WhatsApp users are being warned to be wary of a new scam where fraudulent accounts pose as WhatsApp Support in an attempt to encourage users to provide their personal and account details. 
In some cases, the messages ask users to provide payment details in order to stop their account being terminated, or for their WhatsApp login details.

How to Avoid
WhatsApp will not message to ask for details about your credit card or information such as login codes or two-step verification PIN.

WhatsApp is a free app and will never ask for money or confidential information to avoid terminating accounts. 


WhatsApp advise users who receive a message which appears to be from 'Support' and asks for payment or account details to report the message to them and block the sender. 

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Ongoing Scams / Campaigns
Medical Aids Scam Calls

The Scam
There continue to be reports of cold callers who claim to work for a medical advice centre or even the NHS. Shetland Islands Council have this week warned local residents to be wary of scam calls offering a 'medical alert' scheme, supposedly connected to the Council.

Other callers try to sell medical alarm pendants/bracelets, claiming that these are recommended by doctors and hospitals.
In one case, a caller said that the pendant would cost £89.99 plus six monthly payments of £39.99. Unfortunately, at least one person has given their card details to these callers.

How to Avoid

If you receive a cold call selling medical aids, asking you to complete a health survey or offering a home visit from a mobility aids salesperson, refuse to give any personal details and hang up. 
Never agree to make any payments to a cold caller - if you are unsure if a call is legitimate, hang up and do some research into the company the caller said they represented.

If you have agreed to a home visit by a healthcare or mobility aids salesperson, you may want to ask someone you trust to be there with you. Make it clear from the outset that you will not be making a decision on that day and that you will be taking time to think about any purchases.

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 HMRC Scam Calls

Scottish consumers continue to report scam calls related to HMRC. In one recent case, a man received an automated message saying that he owed money to HMRC and to press 1 to speak to an 'advisor.'

He pressed 1 and was connected to someone who asked his name. He provided a false name and was then put on hold. After 20 minutes, the caller confirmed that he did indeed owe money in unpaid taxes. He asked for the man's card details to take a payment, at which point the man hung up the phone.

How to Avoid
Don't follow instructions given in an automated call. If you press 1, you may be put through to a scammer who will ask for your personal details, which they could potentially use to commit fraud. 

Never give any details to a cold caller. Remember that no legitimate organisation will cold call and pressure you into giving them your details - only criminals will try to rush and panic you. 

If you are unsure whether a message from HMRC is genuine, check their website before providing any details.

Find out more

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Find More Information / Resources
General Advice on Avoiding Scams
Your Consumer Rights
Doorstep Scams
Phone Scams
Product Safety / Counterfeit Goods
Energy Efficiency Measures
Cyber Scams / Cyber Security
COVID-19 Information
Advice for Businesses
Illegal Money Lending / Financial Support Find a full list of organisations who can help if you are struggling with debt at www.stopillegallending.co.uk/how-we-can-help
Glossary
Abbreviations
  • CTSI - Chartered Trading Standards Institute
  • FCA - Financial Conduct Authority
  • IPO - Intellectual Property Office
  • NCSC - National Cyber Security Centre
  • OPSS - Office for Product Safety and Standards
  • SBRC - Scottish Business Resilience Unit
  • SCOTSS - Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland
  • SIMLU - Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit
  • TSS - Trading Standards Scotland
Frequently Used Terms

The NCSC have compiled a comprehensive glossary of definitions for common terms relating to cyber security: www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/ncsc-glossary

Terms frequently used in this bulletin include:
  • App - short for 'application', refers to a software program for computers or other devices such as smartphones and tablets.
  • Malware - malicious software that is designed to damage or gain unauthorised access to a computer or other device.
  • Phishing - the practice of sending fraudulent emails which often appear to be from well-known organisations or companies and ask the recipient to provide personal information or to visit a particular website.
  • QR Code - a square barcode that a smartphone camera can scan and read to provide quick access to a website or app.
  • Ransomware - malware that makes data or systems unusable until the victim makes a payment.
  • Remote Access - the ability to access a computer or device from another location. Anyone with remote access to a device can access all files stored on it.
  • Smishing - the same as phishing, but carried out via SMS (text) messages rather than emails.
  • Software - the set of instructions and programs that tells a computer how to operate.
  • Virus - a computer program designed to infect and damage legitimate software.
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