Warning To Beware Of Coronavirus-related Scams

Warning To Beware Of Coronavirus-related Scams

Mar, 27 2020


~Unfortunately there are bad people out there. People who will use every crisis into a personal advantage for their own financial benefit.

Trading Standards experts are warning people to beware of criminals and rogue traders who are trying to con people with corona virus-related scams.

Phoney individuals are ceasing this opportunity and making out like they are super nice and friendly in order for the unsuspecting public to hand over their money for scams, substandard goods and services they don’t need.

In South Ribble, it was reported that a doorstep cold caller attempted to charge an elderly man £3,500 for power washing his driveway. Trading standards is looking into this issue.

People need to be extra vigilant during this uncertain time and the police are encouraging the public to refuse door to door salespeople who are  offering “home Coronavirus testing kits”. These items are fake; no such testing facility is currently available to the public in the UK.

An additional warning is being alerted by the police of cold callers selling hand sanitiser, masks and rubber gloves. While this may not be a scam, Trading Standards would warn people against buying these items from anyone other than recognised retailers.

In other areas, school meal scam reports are emerging. Parents are being asked to provide bank details to retain a free school meal entitlement. People should never do this and should instead report these scams to the county council.

County Councillor Albert Atkinson, cabinet member for technical services, rural affairs and waste management had these words of warning to the general public,

“Always say no to cold callers, and be suspicious of any unsolicited communications via phone, email or post. Don’t act on the emails if you don’t know the sender or think the email looks suspicious. Never click on the link.”

Other national and international scams include fraudulent COVID-19 tax refund offers, and scam emails claiming to be from researchers asking for donations.

  • To contact the Trading Standards Service via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline, call 0808 2231133 or visit the Citizens Advice website.
  • Lancashire County Council’s Safe Trader Scheme can help you find a trader in your area, contact 0303 333 1111 or go to the Safe Trader website.
  • Follow the Scambuster Stan Facebook page to keep up to date with all the latest scam alerts.

Please be very cautious of anyone or anything that appears suspicious because it’s more than likely to be fake and your financial security could be at stake:-

^Alex Ashworth CCG UK Blogger.