Author Topic: Consumer news and scams  (Read 230133 times)

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Offline SteveH

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #675 on: September 03, 2021, 01:41:44 pm »
A warning has been issued to everyone who uses a contactless debit or credit card ahead of a major change.

The spending limit for using a card with no PIN will rise from £45 to £100 next month, but experts are warning that we will all be at greater risk of theft when the change happens.

From October 15, the contactless card limit will rise 120% to £100, a move some experts have called a "thief's dream".

People will also be able to make £300 of transactions without entering a PIN, up from £130 now.

The Financial Conduct Authority watchdog are bringing in the changes, in a bid to make card use more convenient for customers and shops

“However, while the move brings more convenience for some it also carries two big warnings. First, it is a thief’s dream, as they can take far more of your money in each transaction if you card is lost or stolen."

She added that there is a risk the increased card limit would encourage a slide into debt.

"The easier a card transaction is the less the consumer is actively thinking about how much they are spending, meaning it’s easier to rack up larger bills on a credit card," she said.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/important-warning-issued-everyone-who-21471490

Offline SteveH

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #676 on: September 15, 2021, 10:20:56 am »
HSBC have warned its customers that fraudsters are tricking people into disclosing their bank passcodes, giving them the ability to spend thousands in online purchases.

The bank is urging people never to reveal their one-time passcode (OTP) to others, after recording an increase in related scams.

In August it said scams involving suspected disclosed passcodes increased by 25 per cent compared with March.

Someone may be prompted to enter a passcode to authenticate a transaction when using their card online. The code is texted to the customer, who then enters it on the retailer’s website.

But HSBC warned that fraudsters are calling customers pretending to be from banks or other trusted organisations and requesting an OTP, which they can then use to make a transaction.

At the moment there have been more than 3,000 cases of this type of fraud being successful in the last six months.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19581318.hsbc-issues-warning-banking-scam-lets-fraudsters-go-spending-sprees/


Offline SteveH

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #677 on: September 16, 2021, 10:18:21 am »
Four companies have been fined half a million pounds for sending enough nuisance texts and emails to message every person in the UK more than five times each.

The Information Commissioner’s Office said that it had fined We Buy Any Car £200,000 for sending 191 million emails and 3.6 million nuisance texts.

Saga Services Ltd and Saga Personal Finance, both parts of the cruise ship group, were slapped with £150,000 and £75,000 fines.

Between them they had instigated more than 157 million emails, the ICO said.

Sports Direct was fined £70,000 for sending 2.5 million emails.

None of the companies had gained permission to send marketing emails or texts from the people who received them. This is against the law, the ICO said.

”Getting a ping on your phone or constant unwanted messages on your laptop from a company you don’t want to hear from is frustrating and intrusive,” said the ICO head of investigations, Andy Curry.

cont  https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/four-companies-fined-for-sending-354-million-nuisance-messages/

Offline SteveH

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #678 on: September 19, 2021, 09:35:19 am »
Which? has issued a warning to all pub-goers after a stark rise in Facebook Wetherspoon scams.

Despite shutting down all of their social media accounts back in 2018, the popular pub chain is being impersonated in a series of scam competitions for ‘free meals’.

Facebook users who comment on the posts published by the fake Wetherspoon pages are told they will win free meal vouchers if they’re chosen.

According to Which? the scammer posts: “Congratulations for those of you who have received comments from us, you have the opportunity to win them”.

Users are asked to enter by following a link to the ‘competition website’. Once there you’re asked to fill in your details to claim your prize.

The fraudsters will then ask you to like and share with your friends in a bid to reach a larger audience - and entice more victims into their trap.

Wetherspoon’s website states that: ‘Wetherspoon does not use any social media. Any promotions on social media which appear to be from Wetherspoon are, therefore, unofficial and fake – so please do not participate or share your details with such adverts.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/warning-over-facebook-wetherspoons-free-21610234

Offline SteveH

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Re: Consumer news
« Reply #679 on: October 01, 2021, 02:59:32 pm »
Anyone with a contactless card in the UK is being urged to check their contactless settings ahead of the new limit being introduced.

In two weeks time, many card providers will increase their contactless limit to £100.

But anyone unsure about the new spend cap may be able to add their own limit to their account by speaking to their bank.

HBOS, which owns the Bank of Scotland, Halifax and Lloyds Bank, will let you set your own ceiling rate between £35 and £95 when the cap changes in a fortnight.

The lender said on the same day, customers on the app will have access to new card controls which will allow them to turn off contactless as and when and set their own contactless limit in increments of £5.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/warning-anyone-contactless-card-ahead-21731460


Offline SteveH

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #680 on: October 04, 2021, 05:43:10 pm »
RESIDENTS are being urged to be vigilant of phone and email scams related to council tax.

Conwy County Borough Council said that if there is any doubt whether a website, email or phone number is genuine, the best response is to stop replying, avoid giving out any personal information, and to not click on any links or download any files.

Residents can instead get free help and advice on council tax and benefits directly from the council by phone or email.

If you receive a call, text message or email claiming your account is in arrears, or that you are entitled to a refund, do not give your bank details.

As with any cold call, if you are in any doubt, take the caller's number and check that it is valid. A legitimate council employee will not mind you doing this.

It is also helpful to remind vulnerable relatives and friends to be cautious with their personal and bank details.

For help and advice, contact the council on 01492 576607, email counciltax@conwy.gov.uk or visit www.conwy.gov.uk/counciltax

Offline Hugo

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #681 on: October 18, 2021, 01:03:36 pm »
I've just had a phone call from this number  01202 159700 but when I've picked the phone up the caller just hung up.   

I checked the number 01202159700 is a landline and located in Bournemouth (UK).
This number has been searched 116 times.
I haven't added it to my call blocker as unfortunately the call blocker I have blocks all calls good and bad

Offline Nemesis

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #682 on: October 18, 2021, 01:08:35 pm »
We get calls from the same number, sometimes there is no one there, other times someone with a heavily accented voice asks for the owner of the property. I ignore the latter by saying that they aren't available and terminating the call.
Mad, Bad and Dangerous to know.

Offline Bri Roberts

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #683 on: October 18, 2021, 06:11:36 pm »
These days if I do not recognise the number, I simply pick up the phone and stay silent until someone at the other end speaks first.

More often than not they soon put the phone down at their end.

Offline DVT

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #684 on: October 19, 2021, 11:43:15 am »
Just had the 01202 159702 number call me ... not quite the same as the number above.

Chap started waflling about loft insulation and a roof survey needed.  Had to stop him to ask which company he was - it was Green something, said quickly then continued to waffle.  Had to stop him again to ask where he was ringing from - which town (I know the code was Bournemouth).  He went silent although did not hang up so I left a polite message (guessing it might be recorded) to say that he was wasting my time and was a scam - didn't get any response so hung up.

Bournemouth must be full of call centre people wasting people's time.

Had a lady call me yesterday saying she was from a company advising Over 50's about pensions.  I asked her if she was trying to sell me something and she said "Yes" ... I thanked her for being honest and hung up!

Offline SteveH

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #685 on: October 26, 2021, 10:01:53 am »
TRADING Standards are warning householders following a spate of complaints over householders being cold called to have their radiators cleaned out for an extortionate price.

In one case the householder was persuaded despite already having an existing service contract, and it was highly unlikely that this additional work would have been necessary.

Some residents have fallen victim to paying for the work at costs ranging from £1,300 to £1,500.

Advice from Trading Standards is not to do business with cold callers at all.

If you are approached please exercise caution. Ask yourself: do your radiators really need cleaning out? Is this price reasonable?

If you think you need work done on your property seek quotes from reputable businesses.

If you are not sure who to use look for recommendations and get help from friends or family, always have the full business details including name and address.

If the trader is doing specialist work on central heating systems or electrics make sure they are qualified and competent.

You can also help by looking out for anyone you know who could be vulnerable, friends, family or neighbours.

For advice or to report an incident call Citizens Advice Consumer Service 0808 223 1133 (1144 for Welsh)


Offline Ian

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #686 on: November 03, 2021, 10:27:44 am »
The old Nigerian Prince scam has made a return, only in a different guise:

"Dear,

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Peace be upon you and mercy be upon you and blessings be upon you

I am sending my greetings to you from the Sultanate of Oman, In the
capital city of Muscat.

May i  use this medium to open a mutual communication with you, and
seeking your acceptance towards investing in your country under your
management as my partner, My name is Aisha  Gaddafi and presently
living in Oman, i am a Widow and single Mother with three Children,
the only biological Daughter of late Libyan President (Late Colonel
Muammar Gaddafi) and presently i am under political asylum protection
by the Omani Government.

I have funds worth "Twenty Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand United
State Dollars" -$27.500.000.00 US Dollars which i want to entrust on
you for investment project in your country.If you are willing to
handle this project on my behalf, kindly reply urgent to enable me
provide you more details to start the transfer process.

Thanks
Yours Truly Aish"


and..,.

"Good day my dear,
How are you doing and your family.I am Mrs.Marann Silvia,a sick widow
writing from one of the America hospitals.I am suffering from a long
time cancer of breast,my health situation is becoming worse,my life is
no longer guaranteed hence i want to make this solemn donation.I want
to donate my money to help the orphans, widows and handicap people
through you because there is no more time left for me on this earth.I
take this decision because i have no child who will inherit my wealth
after my death.Please,i need your urgent reply so that i can tell you
more on how you will handle my wish before i die.I will be waiting to
hear from you immediately by God grace amen,

yours sincerely.
Mrs.Marann Silvia"


Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.  ― Michel de Montaigne

Si hoc legere scis, nimis eruditionis habes.

Offline Hugo

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #687 on: November 15, 2021, 08:06:05 am »
I was woken up early this morning when the phone rang but wasn't quick enough to answer it.       It was an international number 0041328660562 but I was unable to trace the origin of that phone number by using my laptop but assume that it was some type of scam

Offline Dave

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #688 on: November 15, 2021, 01:17:21 pm »
I was woken up early this morning when the phone rang but wasn't quick enough to answer it.       It was an international number 0041328660562 but I was unable to trace the origin of that phone number by using my laptop but assume that it was some type of scam

0041 is a Swiss code Hugo so unfortunately you missed a Swiss Bank offering to transfer a few billions in to your account for their safe keeping !

I think a lot of calls are routed using VPNs(?) to hide their origin. The speaker  usually sounds as if they have a certain accent and are not properly in touch with the time difference here in the UK. Either that or they think they will catch you off guard and willing to be conned when you are half asleep. I just get annoyed so there is no way they'll get me at that time.... he said, fingers crossed etc.

Offline Meleri

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #689 on: November 15, 2021, 03:28:24 pm »
Hugo we had a call at 7.21 this morning from a similar number 0041328612143 they must be blitzing the area, it's most annoying  &shake&