New Scam Identified
for Feb 2022

Feb 2022. A New Scam has been Identified. This is a report from www.FreindsAgainstScams.org.uk (part of National Trading Standards)

People in the UK are being targeted with a new type of postal  scam which would normally be sent via email.

This scams tactic is to instil a sense of fear, worry and anxiety by stating that your computer has been used to access highly illegal content. They claim to be from the department of justice in the UK and send a very official looking letter.

This letter states that you need to pay a large amount of money (the example we have seen stated £580) within ten working days by going to a website where you can put your payment details in. It states that this means that no proceeding will be instituted against you and that failure to pay will lead to legal action. It also states that if you are found guilty you can be:

• Sentenced to up to ten years in prison
• Deported from the UK by the Home Office
• You will no longer be a British resident

It contains personal information such as your address and telephone number. This is a scam which looks very authentic but does contain some spelling mistakes.

Please help raise awareness of this scam by talking to friends, family and neighbours and reporting any instances you might see to us using the Freepost address and Action Fraud on 0300123 2040.


PLEASE CLICK HERE for WHERE TO GET HELP

www.FriendsAgainstScams.org.uk

www.NationalTradingStandards.uk

- OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION -

Mail & Telephone Preference Service

To reduce the amount of junk mail you receive register for free with the Mail Preference Service.The Mailing Preference Service (MPS) is a free service to enable consumers to have their names and home addresses in the UK removed from lists used by the industry.

Register on the MPS website (www.mpsonline.org.uk) or by calling 0207 291 3310.

To help stop scam phone calls register for free with the Telephone Preference Service.The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is a free service. It is a legal requirement that all organisations (including charities, voluntary organisations and political parties) do not make calls to numbers registered on the TPS unless they have your consent to do so.

Some scams pose as the TPS and may contact you requesting you to renew your TPS registration at a cost. Remember the TPS is a free service and any call trying to charge you for it is a scam.

Register on the TPS website (www.tpsonline.org.uk) Contact the TPS on 0345 070 0707.

Action Fraud

Action Fraud is the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cyber-crime where you should report fraud if you have spotted a scam or have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cyber-crime.

You can visit the website (www.actionfraud.police.uk) or call Action Fraud on 0300 123 20 40.

Citizens Advice Consumer Service

Citizens Advice Consumer Service can offer support if you or someone you know has been scammed. They will give you advice on what to do next.

You can visit the website (www.citizensadvice.org.uk) or call Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.

For consumers in Scotland, the Citizens Advice Direct number is 0808 164 6000

The Police

If you encounter a person carrying out a doorstep scam and their behaviour is threatening then you can call the emergency services for immediate support. Beware of calls claiming to be from banks or the police asking you to move money, always call your local police if you receive one of these calls.

You can call the emergency services on 999

You can call your local police force on 101

Or visit the website (www.police.uk)

Age UK

Age UK run a Freephone service offering advice and information on money, care and health. Your local Age UK may offer scams support for people in your area.

You can visit the website (www.ageuk.org.uk) or you can call Age UK on 0800 055 6112.