Residents put on alert over virus scammers
RACHEL HOWARTH & STUART PIKE
VALLEY residents are being warned about a series of “disgusting” scams related to the coronavirus.
Rossendale council are backing The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)’s warnings issued after reports that scammers are targeting people both in person and through technology and through price rises in shops throughout the country.
One scam involves fake healthcare workers claiming to be offering ‘hometesting’ for the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Other scams are in the form of emails and phone apps which allow the scammer to take money from your bank account.
Trading Standards has also received lots of complaints about some smaller shops putting up their pricing in the wake of people stocking up due to the coronavirus.
Trading Standards officers are planning advisory visits and warning retailers not to raise their prices to take advantage of the current coronavirus emergency.
People have reported food prices rising, as well as other in-demand goods, including antibacterial handwash and facemasks.
Officers will be responding to information from members of the public and will be using enforcement powers to investigate complaints - where retailers
●● Coun Steve Hughes have been found to have increased prices unreasonably, they will face legal action.
Coun Steve Hughes, Rossendale council’s cabinet member for customers, said: “It’s disgusting that, in a time of national crisis, unscrupulous individuals are using this difficult time as an opportunity to con and scam other people, causing them more misery. Please be extra vigilant and be aware of these new scams that take many forms. The general rule of scams applies - if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.”
You can report any pricing issues in shops to 0345 404050 or via www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
Lancashire County Council warned people to be vigilant and released details of the scams they are aware are operating within the county.
SCHOOL MEAL SCAM PARENTS are being targeted by a coronavirus scam email regarding free school meals. The email asks the recipient if they are entitled to free school meals usually, when the schools had not been affected by COVID-19.
If so, they are encouraged to provide their bank details in order to ensure they are ‘supported’. However, the Department of Education has advised this is a scam email and urges anyone who received it to delete it immediately.
CORONAVIRUS
TESTING KITS LANCASHIRE County Council has urged people not to buy any ‘testing kits’ for coronavirus as these are not yet available to people in the UK. Police have received reports of doors to door ‘salespeople’ offering these home testing kits.
DOORSTEP COLD CALLERS
PEOPLE are being urged to remain vigilant against doorstep cold callers who continue to operate in the area throughout the outbreak.
There have also been reports of cold callers offering sales of hand sanitiser, masks and rubber gloves. While this may not be a scam, Trading Standards has warned people against buying these items from anyone other than recognised retailers.
Other national and international scams include: Callers and emailers
●● Examples of scam messages being sent out to residents during the coronavirus crisis. advising that they have coronavirus symptoms, have large amounts of money waiting in a bank account to be claimed and asking people to email for further information – at which point they may part with key personal details, leading to them losing money via the scam.
A fraudulent COVID19 tax refund offer. People are being invited to click on a link to a bogus government web page and complete with key personal/ financial details.
Scam emails claiming to be from researchers asking for donations - downloading to a fake Microsoft login page requesting email and passwords.
Fraudulent sellers offering facemasks and other safety equipment. People should always use known, reputable online suppliers.
Trading standards recommends that any transactions over £100 should be paid by credit card for extra protection.
Hackers are sending emails pretending to be from the World Health Organisation. The email
●● A phishing email from someone posing as the head of the World Health Organization claims that the attached document details how recipients can prevent the spread of the disease. Clicking on the attachment gives the hackers the opportunity to infect the computer with malicious software.