Author Topic: Consumer news and scams  (Read 230112 times)

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Offline Nemesis

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #690 on: November 15, 2021, 10:10:12 pm »
I also had a call at 8am, supposed to be Amazon prime. I don't subscribe to it, so I knew it wasn't them.
Mad, Bad and Dangerous to know.

Offline Hugo

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #691 on: November 16, 2021, 09:56:27 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

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'm glad that I didn't answer that call Dave as I get calls from Zurich quite often wanting me to loan their bank some money!        &shake&

I did try to get the address of the telephone caller but when I used a link I found on my laptop, two addresses came up, one in Colwyn Bay the other in Moscow so I quickly gave up the search.
You were lucky Meleri having a lie in until 7.21am as my call was a bit before then


Offline Dave

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #692 on: November 17, 2021, 09:32:36 am »
I got an interesting scam email this morning. EON, my new provider since the last one went under, have told me I was overcharged on my last bill and I am owed a rebate. As far as I'm aware they haven't charged me anything yet!
Always click on the email address of the sender and you can see straight away that it looks suspicious ......and of course never click on a link!

It does make me wonder where they get their email address lists from though.

Offline Ian

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #693 on: November 17, 2021, 10:35:23 am »
They likely got yours from someone you've done business with who's sold their email addresses.
Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.  ― Michel de Montaigne

Si hoc legere scis, nimis eruditionis habes.

Offline SteveH

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #694 on: November 18, 2021, 03:13:59 pm »
Martin Lewis issues urgent warning over celebrity scam adverts that have 'left him in tears'
The Money Saving Expert urged people to be vigilant of the hoax adverts

The new bill aims to regulate online content, but Martin has slammed the decision to omit paid scam advertising from the proposals.

He said: "These scammers are clever commercial thieves. They will understand there is now going to be less scrutiny on the adverts than the user generated content so the bill the government is going to put through Parliament is going to promote more scam adverts.

"They're not just gonna ignore our call to regulate scam adverts. They are actively doing something that will mean more scam adverts. It is outrageously frustrating."

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/martin-lewis-issues-urgent-warning-22198969

Offline SteveH

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #695 on: December 02, 2021, 09:51:57 am »
New estimations from National Trading Standards (NTS) have sparked a warning to UK shoppers ahead of Christmas.

Shoppers across the country have bought an estimated 80 million products on the basis of positive reviews they have seen online only to be disappointed when they arrive.

NTS said consumer trust in online reviews is fuelling a surge in criminals selling poor quality goods and services.

Fake online reviews are estimated to potentially influence £23 billion of UK consumer spending every year, according to Government figures.

More than half of online shoppers (56%) use online reviews as a deciding factor when buying a product or service and 67% are more likely to buy a product or service if it has a five-star rating, a survey for NTS suggests.

Investigation into Amazon and Google over fake online reviews
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is currently leading an investigation into fake reviews, which includes a formal probe into Amazon and Google over concerns they have not been doing enough to combat fake reviews on their sites.

It follows action taken by the CMA last year over the trading of fake reviews, which resulted in Facebook, Instagram and eBay removing groups and  banning individuals for buying and selling fake reviews on their sites.

full article  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19756990.amazon-google-probe-launched-consumers-issued-christmas-shopping-warning/

Offline SteveH

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #696 on: December 09, 2021, 09:59:50 am »
Nationwide have issued a warning over a cash trapping scam that targets people at cash machines.

The bank has issued a video encouraging people to check any ATM machines before they use them. They have also said that if the public notices anything suspicious that they should report it immediately, reports the Mirror.

The video starts off by saying: "Is the cash slit clear? If you can see anything in it or it's covered up don't use the ATM and call us to report it.

The video goes on to explain that you should report the cash machine if you do not see a green or blue light when the machine gives you your money.

And if you think you have fallen victim to the fraud, you should contact the bank immediately to secure your card and report it.

ATM cash trapping is one method used by cyber-criminals to attack cash machines.

The attackers physically insert a device inside the ATM, which traps cash that is allotted by the cash dispenser to the customer.

Watch video https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/bank-issues-warning-over-cash-22405013#comments-wrapper

Offline SteveH

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Re: Consumer news and scams............Cold callers
« Reply #697 on: December 11, 2021, 04:31:12 pm »
Cold callers in the Llandudno area, saying they are from a  young offenders group selling goods door to door (at highly inflated prices), and can get "Funny" if you don't buy something, they carry a bag on their backs, ideally, do not open your door, be careful, warn any elderly friends and neighbours .

Offline SteveH

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #698 on: December 13, 2021, 09:52:33 am »
We got caught by a "third party rip-off website" when changing our address with the TV licence people, these sites look authentic, be careful..........

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency [DVLA] has issued an urgent warning over a spate of scams targeting motorists.

Scammers are impersonating DVLA staff and targeting motorists in a bid to gain access to their financial and personal details.

The agency has also issued a warning over rip-off third-party websites charging hefty fees for processing DVLA applications.

The dodgy services can be tricky to avoid, and can even be found high up on search engines such as Google and Bing.

In the past 12 months, the DVLA has reported that it’s also received over 800 reports of unofficial rip-off services offering driving licence renewal services to over 70s, which can in fact be done for free on the DVLA’s official Gov.uk website

In a bid to help drivers avoid falling victim to the scam the agency has shared the following advice:

How to identify a scam
The DVLA said they will never ask anyone to reply to emails or text messages.

If an email or text from the DVLA asks for payment details or to log into an account it is a scam.

When applying for a DVLA service, check the website address and make sure you only use a ‘Gov.uk‘ website.

How to report a scam
Suspicious emails can be reported by forwarding them to report@phishing.gov.uk

A text that you suspect could be a scam can be forwarded to 7726 – a free scam text reporting service.

If you’ve clicked a link within an email or text that you suspect is a scam, don’t share any personal or financial details on these websites.

If you’ve already shared bank details or card information, contact your bank immediately.               ref DP

Offline SteveH

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Re: Consumer news and scams............Cold callers
« Reply #699 on: December 13, 2021, 12:27:15 pm »
Cold callers in the Llandudno area, saying they are from a  young offenders group selling goods door to door (at highly inflated prices), and can get "Funny" if you don't buy something, they carry a bag on their backs, ideally, do not open your door, be careful, warn any elderly friends and neighbours .

NORTH Wales residents are being made aware of the latest scheme devised by doorstep scammers looking to make some money.

North Wales Police say there has been an increase in reports of persons knocking on doors, claiming to be ex-offenders.

They tell homeowners that they are having to sell items in order to comply with their community orders (or similar).

However, a spokesperson for North Wales Police confirmed that no such scheme exists here in Wales and that these scammers are simply trying their luck.

The spokesperson said: "After liaising with local probation officers, integrated offender managers and the local prison services we can confirm that there are no local schemes running of the sort and urge people to be vigilant should anyone knock on their door offering to sell them items under this guise.

"Whilst it is understood that there may be schemes in other areas of the country that are similar to this, we are confident that this is not something being undertaken as part of any probation or prison run service in North Wales and should be treated with vigilance.

"You can always report anything suspicious via 101 or via the NWP web chat."

Offline Dave

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #700 on: December 13, 2021, 12:36:34 pm »
Not all are scams in as much as you get cheated totally but you can easily fall in to the trap of paying much more fore a service you can do easily yourself.
Drawing up a Power of Attorney is a good example where if you google the official UK Gov site is well down the list behind paid for links that get priority above it in return.
Instead of DIY at £80 which is a simple form to fill in, you'll get quotes for £300 from a solicitor.

Offline SteveH

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #701 on: December 13, 2021, 04:10:38 pm »
Dave, the page you posted, is a great example, it shows clearly that the first group have Ad signs at the top left of each section, short for advertisement, it took me awhile to ignore these and go to the non Ad paid for links sites below.

Offline SteveH

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #702 on: December 14, 2021, 11:36:58 am »
No further details at the moment, but apparently scam phone calls, coming through showing a local number, which is causing some people to think they are genuine

Offline SteveH

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #703 on: December 17, 2021, 10:02:55 am »
Scammers are looking to catch out online shoppers as they make their last minute purchases for Christmas.

Emails purporting to be from Amazon are doing the rounds, in which they ask customers to update their contact and payment details.

It is a duplicitous tactic designed to “prey on the anxiety” of members of the public who will no doubt be desperate to make sure their gifts arrive on time.

A similar scam occurred last year where North Wales Police revealed they'd had 400 reports in one month alone.

After last year’s disappointing festive season, the whole UK is desperate for this one to be a roaring success.

Karl Tippins, a financial expert at Pension Times said: “It will come as no surprise that the most common form of scam in December is supposedly from Amazon asking victims to update and change their payment details through a link in the email.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/christmas-shoppers-warned-amazon-email-22461045?IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

Offline SteveH

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Re: Consumer news and scams
« Reply #704 on: December 28, 2021, 10:22:29 am »
Online scams: How do I avoid cyber crime

What is your rock star name? Can you remember your first pet? What's the first gig you went to?

If questions like this pop up when you're scrolling through social media online, you should think twice before answering, a consumer group has warned.

The UK's fraud reporting service said £2.5bn has been stolen in more than 480,000 cyber crimes in the past year.

And Which? estimates online crime in the UK increased 33% since the start of the Covid pandemic.

Adam French, senior consumer editor at Which?, warned cyber crime would only increase over Christmas and the new year period as more people shop and socialising online.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-59610978