Criminals are using the NHS COVID Pass as a way to target the public by convincing them to hand over money, financial details and personal information. They are sending imitation text messages, emails and making phone calls pretending to be from the NHS, and offering fake vaccine certificates for sale… Read More
Scams
SCAMS
COVID-19 has been accompanied by a surge in scams, with new attempts to dupe the public emerging every day. Everyone is potentially vulnerable to these scams – and with more of us spending money online than before, trading standards has a vital role to play in victim interventions, destigmatising victimhood… Read More
One-In-Three Targeted By Scammers
More than one-in-three people (36%) in the South West have been the target of a scam since lockdown came into effect across the country, according to new research by Citizens Advice Cornwall. Over half of people (58%) are worried someone they know will fall foul of a con. And the… Read More
Week of action to raise awareness of consumer protection issues
Trading Standards South West (TSSW) and the 15 South West local authority Trading Standards services that it represents are joining forces and launching a week of action. The week of action will reveal the work of Trading Standards and raise awareness of issues affecting consumers in the region. The first… Read More
Scam warning: iTunes gift card scam
Take note of this latest phone scam. Recently fraudsters have been ringing people out of the blue and telling them that they need to make payments over the phone for things such as taxes, bail money, debt collection, or utility bills. They trick the victim is into believing that a… Read More
New code of conduct helps bank fraud victims
If you’re the blameless victim of a bank transfer scam, you’re now more likely to get your money back under a new reimbursement scheme introduced at the end of last month. Bank transfer scams, also known as ‘authorised push payment’ (APP) fraud, happen when you’re tricked into sending money to… Read More