More scams to be on the watch for

Beware of:-

Gutter cleaners.
Four men offered to clean the gutters of an elderly gent for a nominal fee. Once started, they said the work was extensive and demanded a larger amount of cash. They were white with an Irish-sounding accent, in a blue estate car with ladders. This was in Kidsgrove but this type of offender travels.

Window fitting.

Two men claiming to be from the council are knocking on doors in the area to discuss fitting windows. They say they have sent a letter which has not been received. Don't let them in.
Angus Investments. John Angus, who has an accent described as 'West African', telephones to sell shares in a company called Power Nano Tech which is about to float on the American stock exchange. The company is bogus. (Thanks to Matt Burke, Bankeyfields NW for this one).

BT Phones.
A call is made to BT customers telling them their bill is in arrears. They are asked for credit card or bank details to settle the account. If the person refuses or the customer asks for proof, they say they will cut them off immediately.
This seems to happen because -

1. the fraudster keeps the line open but holds the mute button down, thus the line seems to be dead,
2. the customer tries to ring out - but can't,
3. the fraudster can hear the attempt to make calls, when the attempts stop, the fraudster hangs up and then phones back immediately).

Phone scams from persons pretending to be a representative from a company are common at the moment.

Don't be frightened to question a caller's identity. If you are unsure, hang up.

Phone the company back from a number you look up, not one provided by the caller.

What to do?

One point of call would be to let the police (0300 123 4455), and trading standards know

Trading Standards
City of Stoke on Trent
Regulatory Services Division
PO Box 2452
Hanley Town Hall
Albion Street
Stoke on Trent
Staffordshire
ST1 1XP

t: 01782 235000
regulatory.services@stoke.gov.uk