Consumer news and scams

[SteveH]

Chester Zoo is warning visitors about a ticket offer on a social media page which it describes is "totally fake".

The zoo reports a Facebook page called 'Zoo Tickets' has been fraudulently impersonating the zoo to promote a fake '95th birthday' ticket offer.

It adds the Facebook page goes on to ask for users' personal details and financial information.

The zoo, in a statement, said: "Any ads you?ve seen on Facebook from ?Zoo Tickets?, and the website that has been set up to run alongside them, are entirely fake. They are impersonating us and using our good name to promote a bogus offer, which goes on to ask for your personal details and financial information.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24278923.chester-zoo-warns-visitors-totally-fake-ticket-offer/

[SteveH]

Holidaymakers are being warned about a rise in scams where fake social media accounts are used to impersonate airlines.

Bogus accounts exist for every major UK airline on X, formerly known as Twitter, and are regularly used to trick customers into giving away their personal data, according to consumer association Which?.

It added that X is too slow to take down offending accounts.

The social media platform said accounts that impersonate organisations may be permanently suspended under its "misleading and deceptive identities policy".

It previously told Which? that it had taken down all of the fake accounts identified by the consumer group.

The scam often happens when a frustrated customer tries to contact an airline to try to fix a problem, said Which?

It said scammers crawl social media – often using bots, a type of automated software – to find such interactions.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp3371r7l1vo

[SteveH]

O2 warns customers to 'turn off text message previews immediately'
Security advice as sensitive information could be taken

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/o2-warns-customers-turn-text-29470528

[SteveH]

NORTH Wales Police (NWP) have issued a warning to residents of the region about a scam involving fuel stations in the area.

That message comes following an incident at a Denbighshire site, police say.

A member of staff at that particular fuel station received a phone call from a male claiming to be the regional manager of their company.

The male instructed the member of staff to put packs of cigarettes into a plastic bag ready for collection in the morning.

The member of staff has then contacted their line manager who confirmed that the male on the phone was NOT the regional manager.

A spokesperson for NWP said: "This message is being shared with fuel stations in your area to make you aware that North Wales Police have received a report regarding a potential scam targeting fuel stations.

"This type of scam is well known and has been reported to police several times in the past, so please be vigilant and make your colleagues aware in case your fuel station receives any similar calls.

"If you do receive any suspicious calls which you believe may be a scam then please report them via 101 or online via the NWP website.

"If you are able to then please make a note of the phone number which the call came from. On this occasion it was a mobile phone number."

[SteveH]

Bargain hunters beware of these 5 'red flags' when buying pre-loved furniture
If you're on the hunt for something fabulous to adorn that empty corner in your home, you should heed these words before shopping

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/bargain-hunters-beware-of-these-5-red-flags-when-buying-pre-loved-furniture?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589


PS
A warning has been issued after an apparent scam on TikTok has been circulating.

Posts claiming to be from disgruntled former staff members are urging customers to head to TesOffer.com to claim a free £750 voucher.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24497206.tesco-customers-warned-fake-750-voucher-circulating/

[SteveH]

From the Manchester Evening News......

Warning as major parking scam targets drivers at two North Wales resorts
Police are investigating the scam that is fleecing victims

Drivers are being warned of a major parking scam designed to snare locals and tourists at two popular seafronts in North Wales.

Police are investigating after council parking staff discovered fake QR codes being used on meters at Llandudno and Colwyn Bay at the weekend.

The fake codes are designed to trick users into providing their payment details on bogus websites. QR codes are not used by the official PayByPhone app which motorists can use to pay for parking in the county.

Conwy Council warned the scam also puts motorists at risk of parking fines as they haven't paid for parking in the right way. The fake codes were found on parking meters at Colwyn Bay Promenade and on The Parade, Llandudno, NorthWalesLive reports.

The sham QR codes lead to a phoney website claiming to be PayByPhone. Conwy Council said scammers use these sites to steal payment information, often leading to more fraudulent payments.

READ MORE: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/warning-major-parking-scam-targets-29683973?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

A parking scam which targeted drivers in two North Wales resorts has spread to other parts of the region. Earlier this month, North Wales Live reported how council parking staff discovered fake QR codes being used on meters at Llandudno and Colwyn Bay.

These fake codes are designed to trick users into providing their payment details on bogus websites. North Wales Police has today warned the scam has spread to other areas of Conwy and Denbighshire.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/major-qr-code-parking-scam-29768256?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

The public are being warned about fake bottles of Glen’s Vodka which have been found to contain an industrial solvent that can cause death in severe cases.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said some 35cl counterfeit bottles have been found to contain isopropyl alcohol, which is not intended for human consumption.

The fake vodka may have a strange smell and taste differently to genuine vodka, the FSA warned.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8er23xwwjno

[SteveH]

How to spot a fake review when you're shopping online
We love to see if others would recommend we hit the 'buy now' button - but we can't always trust what we read

It can be nerve-wracking buying online - there's so much choice and we can't see, feel or try things for ourselves - that's why we often rely on reviews to see what others thought about our potential purchases. But how do we know the reviews we're reading are from real people and not generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

AI is everywhere, on our phones and in our homes, and whilst it has the potential for unlimited positive uses, not all of it is beneficial. AI-generated fake reviews are on the rise, so buyer beware, all you read may not be as it seems.

Experts say these fake reviews are becoming more sophisticated and therefore harder to spot. So how do you know that the review for the product you want to buy is a genuine, unbiased point of view? The AI experts at AIPRM have provided five tips to help you spot fake AI reviews............

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/how-to-spot-a-fake-review-when-youre-shopping-online?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Hugo]

Scammers are taking advantage of people hit by Conwy's water crisis
Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water has urged people to check before parting with bank details   
Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water have issued a scam alert, after thousands of homes and hundreds of businesses were left without supplies. It follows a major mains burst in Conwy last week.

According to the water company, some customers have been asked for bank details for compensation claims. But company chiefs warned it was a scam.




https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/scammers-taking-advantage-people-hit-30830912

[Hugo]

My phone rang earlier but when I picked it up the person on the other end of the line just hung up without saying anything.   Instead of phoning the number back I put the number in to Google and it turns out that the call was spam

Caller identification
⚠️ Our vigilant and trustworthy community has reported that the telephone number 01616477996 has been flagged for suspicious activities, currently being primarily associated with the Insurance Scam. This alert is based on the latest and most reliable analysis available

If you receive any communications from this number, we advise caution! First verify the identity of the caller and do not give out personal information.

Thank you for being vigilant. Together we can create a safer place to live by flagging and blocking scams

[Hugo]

I've just received an e-mail telling me that my TV licence refund is on it's way.    All I had to do was click on the link that was attached
I just deleted it immediately because my TV licence is paid by direct debit and the Government have got all my details anyway

[DVT]

I had that message as well ... strange because it has just been renewed by direct debit.
Must somehow be a link between my payment being made and the hackers, seems too coincidental.
I'm quite happy to receive a refund, but not going to supply details that the rightful recipients already have!