Trading Standards officers warn against potential scam

Jul 22 2010

SCAMMERS may be involved in a renewed bid to target unsuspecting South Lanarkshire residents, Trading Standards officers warned this week.

Officers have dealt with an increased number of complaints and concerns from people sent revised versions of well-known mail frauds.

One man almost fell for the Spanish-based Euromillions ‘lottery’ scam.

He had filled in bank and personal details on the ‘claim form’ supplied and was only stopped from posting it when his son became suspicious.

Divisional Trading Standards Officer David Templeton said the ruse is concentrating on the local area, but warned it would soon spread to other localities.

He said: “The Spanish lottery scam is not a new but those operating it are becoming more sophisticated and devious.

“They are very well aware that authorities across Europe have knowledge of them and, as such, are encouraging recipients to keep the information to themselves.

“The letter asks for bank details suggesting that money will be deposited into the winner’s account. In reality, the opposite is likely to happen and you will find yourself fleeced of money. You could even leave yourself open to identity fraud.

“I cannot stress strongly enough that the only ones who gain from this charade are the people who are running it. If you have not entered a lottery draw then you cannot win it, it is as simple as that.”

Trading Standards also want to raise awareness of a telephone-based scam, to which South Lanarkshire residents have recently alerted them, relating to reclaiming bank charges.

Mr Templeton added: “The consumer gets an unsolicited telephone call. When he/she picks it up there is a recorded message saying MBNA, Barclaycard and various banks are paying back millions of pounds in bank charges. Press two if you want to claim.

“If the consumer presses two, they will be transferred to a call centre where operators spend time trying to get bank details. This allows the company to take up-front money to ‘fight your case’ for reclaimed charges. In one case we have been told of a consumer, from Cambuslang, being asked for £3000.

“This is nothing more than a con.”

Recent test cases in the courts have shown that it is highly unlikely consumers will get any charges back from their banks or the companies.

Consumers who want their credit agreements checked, or are looking for genuine advice on charging and reclaiming, should contact Trading Standards.

Anyone concerned that they may have been targeted by this or any other scam, can contact Trading Standards for advice on 01355 806597.

Anyone who would like to help the Office of Fair Trading crack down on scams should send their suspect mailing to: The European Enforcement Team, Office of Fair Trading, Fleetbank House, 2-6 Salisbury Square, LONDON, EC4Y 8JX, e-mail: euroteam@oft.gsi.gov.uk