Crime Warnings
6/11/2006
Durham Trading Standards
CONTACT OFFICER - Debra Newton
TEL NO.- 0191 383 3589
FAX. - 0191 383 4234
E-MAIL - debra.newton@durham.gov.uk
ISSUE - Incident in Seaham
A lady living in Private rented accomodation in Dawdon Seaham rang to inform us of an incident involving a Cavity Wall Insulation Company.
She had already made arrangements with a Company and answered various questions etc with regard to Cavity Wall Insulation. However she later answered the door to someone who said they were Cavity Wall Insulators.
Her Husband informed the gentleman that they already had arrangements for this. He replied that he needed to ask more questions so they let him in. He took consumers personal details and they signed something but cannot remember what exactly. He then left.
The consumer then rang the 0800 number that was left and discovered they were NOT in fact the Cavity Wall Insulation company she had first made arrangements with.
She rang a gentleman who said he was in charge, who said he would speak to the representative in question. He later stated that this representative had stated he was invited in, and also stated that he needed their signature to get his commission. Consumer states that the person in charge was very rude to her and made personal comments.
She was very upset at the fact the representative pretended to the someone from the first company she had made arrangements with. She did not give away her bank details etc. She has contacted Easington District and the Police.
PLEASE ADVISE DO NOT allow people they do not recognise entry to their property.
PLEASE report any incidents to trading standards and if necessary the police.
REQUESTED ACTION Please ADVISE any older/vulnerable adults adults you may interact with to KEEP THEIR GUARD UP - no matter how attractive an offer might seem, or how genuine a story sounds. DO NOT let anyone official in without an appointment. REMEMBER if they are genuine they will not mind coming back later. This gives you a chance to check their story OR for you to phone a friend to be with you before you let them in.
20/10/2006
ORIGINATING AGENCY: Durham Trading Standards
CONTACT OFFICER: Debra Newton
TEL NO: 0191 383 3589
FAX: 0191 383 4234
E-MAIL: debra.newton@durham.gov.uk
INCIDENT IN WEST CORNFORTH
On Saturday evening 2 men visited an elderly lady's property - the carer had locked the door at teatime. The men had knocked loudly on the door and she thought something was wrong, so she opened the door to see who they were - they said they had come to do repairs she told them the council did her repairs - they said no we do the repairs now - she said well I have no repairs to do and shut the door.
We have advised the lady to keep her door locked and only to open it to people she is expecting - we also advised she uses her chain however due to problems with her hands she is unable to use the chain.
She is unwilling to involve the Police - however she has told Carelink.
Durham Trading Standards
CONTACT OFFICER: Debra Newton
TEL NO: 0191 383 3589
FAX: 0191 383 4234
E-MAIL: debra.newton@durham.gov.uk
PARCEL DELIVERY SCAM
We have reveived a report from a neighbouring region of a current scam targeting consumers:
A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number). DO NOT call this number as this is a mail scam originating from Belize.
If you call this number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £15 for the phone call.
NB - Please note this report is inaccurate; you will be billed at £1.50 per minute not £15 (unless you listen for 10 minutes) but the warning is still important.
If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 0207 239 6655 or ICSTIS (the premium rate service regulator) at www.icstis.org.uk or Consumer Direct North East: 08454 04 05 06
10/10/2006
ORIGINATING AGENCY: Durham Trading Standards
CONTACT OFFICER: Debra Newton
TEL NO: 0191 383 3589
FAX: 0191 383 4234
E-MAIL: debra.newton@durham.gov.uk
Incidents in Shildon, Consett, Annfield Plain and Newton Aycliffe.
There has been various reports young people knocking on doors asking people to buy sketches in Shildon. One report stated they seemed to have fake accents and had a piece of paper saying that they were Polish students.
A lady from Consett reported that she was concerned about some men in the area who offered to Tarmac her drive for £450. The lady refused. They then offered to reduce the price to £350. When she again refused they left. However the lady observed the same men working on her 80 year old neighbours drive. They again asked her if she would like her drive doing with left over Tarmac for £80. The lady refused. Another lady had paid £450 cash - no receipt and did not get chance to cancel as they started job at 7.30 am.
In Annfield Plain a woman in her early 30s pushed passed an elderly lady demanding entry on the pretext of reading the gas meter. Entry to the property was gained, it is not apparent if anything was stolen. Police have been informed. A security chain has now been fitted.
In Newton Aycliffe an older lady answered door to a young male approx 18yrs and approx 5ft 6". Dark Hair. He stated he knew her neighbour as she previously ordered some Xmas decorations/cards from his catalogue and would she too like to purchase anything. Lady allowed him in and he asked to use toilet. As he was upstairs a long time she shouted up. He then came down and asked for a drink of water. The lady went into the kitchen to get him a drink, during this time he went into the lounge from the hallway. The lady asked why he had entered the lounge and he replied 'oh sorry I was just waiting for you and anyway I don't need the water now sorry, I'll have to go!' £70 cash had been taken from her purse. Her wardrobe doors had also been opened. Police informed. A door chain will be fitted shortly.
Durham Trading Standards
CONTACT OFFICER Debra Newton
TEL NO. 0191 383 3589
FAX. 0191 383 4234
E-MAIL debra.newton@durham.gov.uk
Trading Standards have been informed by Partners of the following recent incident:
C is 81 and could not remember her postcode or where she lives. A man from America keeps ringing her demanding money to be sent. Something to do with a lottery.
C has been advised not to send any money. C says received call from American Peter Gulphit 001 514 572 1472 saying he had a cheque for £16000 to send if she sends £1200 by Moneygram to a David Nunes in Montreal Quebec Canada and to ring him when done. He rang again on Friday 'a bit annoyed' that she had not rung.
8/8/2006
Durham Trading Standards
CONTACT OFFICER Debra Newton
TEL NO. 0191 383 3589
FAX. 0191 383 4234
E-MAIL debra.newton@durham.gov.uk
ISSUE
Incident in Leadgate Consett
Trading Standards have been informed by a consumer that a Trader had undertaken unsatisfactory work on 4 houses in her street last weekend. Trader cold called and was give the 4 jobs. He charged 3 people £375 but charged an 83 year old man £800 for very shoddy work. He gives out a flier with contact mobile numbers which are not answered.
Police informed.
PLEASE report any incidents to trading standards and if necessary the police.
REQUESTED ACTION
Whilst the weather is fairly pleasant please remind all: KEEP YOUR DOOR LOCKED , PUT THE DOOR CHAIN ON WHEN ANSWERING THE DOOR, NEVER DEAL WITH COLD CALLERS ESPECIALLY GARDENERS AND ROOFERS, IF IN DOUBT KEEP THEM OUT.
WARN NEVER KEEP LARGE SUMS OF MONEY AT HOME. USE A BANK OR BUILDING SOCIETY.
Trading Standards have been informed by Partners of three recent incidents -
1. Bogus water Officials: Distraction Burglary SPENNYMOOR
2. White van selling suites: QUARRINGTON HILL
3. Tarmaccing and Paving: BARNARD CASTLE
1. A distraction burglary incident has been reported in the Spennymoor area. A 91 year old gentleman was approached by 2/3 men posing as water board officials and asking fro entry to his property to turn off the water. They were let in a later around £600 was discovered to have been stolen.
Police and careline involved.
2. A white van has been reported around the Quarrington Hill area reportedly selling upholstered furniture. It is not known if the suites are new or secondhand , or if they meet fire safety legislation, or if consumers are given cancellation rights or details of the seller in the event of any problems in the future.
Such sales also identify the fact that the consumer holds cash at home and may be linked to other areas of doorstep crime.
3. A Barnard Castle resident received a flyer through his door , advertising services of a landscaping company. He employed them , with the resulting driveway of very poor quality , drive and garden left in a complete mess. £1400 cash was paid to the trader , who cannot be contacted to rectify the matter.
REQUESTED ACTION
Whilst the weather is fairly pleasant please remind all KEEP YOUR DOOR LOCKED, PUT THE DOOR CHAIN ON WHEN ANSWERING THE DOOR, NEVER DEAL WITH COLD CALLERS ESPECIALLY GARDENERS AND ROOFERS, IF IN DOUBT KEEP THEM OUT.
WARN NEVER KEEP LARGE SUMS OF MONEY AT HOME. USE A BANK OR BUILDING SOCIETY.
The following information has been forwarded from the Police Community Engagement Officer, North Area Command:
We have had some reports of a white male described as being 40-50 years, 5 feet 6 inches tall, stocky build, bald head, moustache and local accent going into churches in the County Durham area and giving a sob story that he has split with his partner, has no money etc. The male has approached mainly elderly people in church but sometimes vicars, curates etc given his sob story and obtained money.
March 2006
CREDIT CARD SCAM
This describes a form of credit card scam.
(As reported on BBC 1 News - 22nd February 2006)
A telephone call is received, from someone claiming to be from the security or fraud department of your credit card company (Visa, Mastercard etc.). The story is that an unusual purchase has been identified on your account and you are asked if you made this purchase - which you didn't.
You are not asked for your card number (because the scammer already has it). You may be asked to confirm your address although he/she probably has that too.
You may be given a reference number and told which telephone number to ring for any enquiries.
So far, so good.
The sting is then to ask you to confirm that you have the card in your possession by quoting the 3 digit security code from the back of the card - the last three numbers on the signature strip. Give this to the scammer and he/she has all they need to make purchases on your credit card.
Never quote the security number except when you are making a purchase. Never give personal or security details to someone who contacts you.Contact the telephone number on your card if you wish to check on any security issues.
Always be suspicious of unsolicited or unexpected calls (or emails) relating to financial matters.
Source: Tim Randall - February 2006
BEWARE - BOGUS CALLERS OFFERING "FREE" INSULATION
Sedgefield Borough Council is cautioning all their residents and tenants to be aware of bogus callers who may be promoting home insulation schemes door to door.
Sedgefield Borough Council only recognises three schemes within the Borough, they are:
Durham Energy Savers
Warm Front
Sedgefield Energy Securing Affordable Warmth (SESAW)
These schemes offer 70-100 per cent grants to homeowners for cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and heating improvements.
There are some surveyors operating in the Borough with full Council approval. However, they will always carry identification with a full colour introductory letter on Sedgefield Borough Council letterhead.
People unsure about a someone's identity, should always refuse entry and obtain details of the company and contact the Borough Council or the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre on 0800 512012 about the validity of the scheme.
14 December 2005
DATE - 03/11/05
ORIGINATING AGENCY - Durham Trading Standards
ISSUE - DOORSTEP CALLERS
We have had 2 reports of itinerant traders selling furniture from the back of vans.
1. A resident in Billy Row, Crook has informed us of a white transit van in the area knocking on doors trying to sell suites.
2. An elderly resident in Newton Aycliffe has highlighted a scam which involves a trader cold calling a customer and offering to swap their three piece suite for a 'better version' at the cost of £250. Unfortunately the replacement furniture, will have belonged to the previous victim of the scam.
Trading Standards Officers and the Police are currently investigating the situation and are looking to take action against those traders involved.
REQUESTED ACTION
Please be extra vigilant, use the door chain or bar and NOT TO BUY FROM COLD CALLERS Any further details of man/men and/or his van would be much appreciated.
