Warning after bogus scrap collectors dumped rubbish at end of drive
HOUSEHOLDERS are being urged to beware of bogus scrap collectors offering to pick up unwanted bulky waste for ‘a few fags’ - who have even dumped people’s rubbish at the end of their driveway.
Nuneaton and Bedworth Neighbourhood Watch volunteers say they have received reports of scam collectors offering the service for a small payment of £5 or £10 or even a ‘a few fags’ .
“The scrap items are then dumped a short distance away from the victims’ property, even at a the end of the driveway, leaving the victim facing a possible fly-tipping penalty,” a post on the association’s page on Facebook reads. “In some instances, the victim has been pressured for an additional payment.
“If this happens to you, call the police on 101 immediately or 999 if you feel threatened.”
The law - and how you could be finedit has been stressed that, since 2013, it is illegal to give scrap to an authorised collector.
If an unauthorised person takes your waste, it could be flytipped. If your waste is found flytipped you must be able to provide evidence to the Police or the Local Authority of who you gave it to.
If you cannot, you run the risk of a £5,000 fine and a criminal record.
You should always ask to see a Waste Carriers Licence, which registered businesses will carry.
More scams to look out forthere have been a number of scam warnings issued over recent weeks, some of them linked to fraudsters trying to cash in on the coronavirus.
These include online quizzes as well as doorstep scammers who are attempting to con people out of money.
Officers released a list of doorstep scams they want people to beware of.
Criminals offering to do shopping or collecting prescriptions for people, taking the money and then not returning.
Cleaning services with the promise of killing bacteria to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Coronavirus testing kits - only the NHS offers these.
Vaccinations or coronavirus cures - at present, there isn’t a vaccine or cure for COVID-19.
Fake and overpriced antibacterial products aimed at protecting yourself from coronavirus.