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FRAUD UPDATE FROM WEST MERCIA POLICE ECONOMIC CRIME UNIT 09/11/2021
 
NEW FRAUD TREND
 
· The suspect will send the victim a message via WhatsApp claiming to be their son/daughter and that they have had to change their number.
· The suspect will then ask for money for debt repayment/money to get a new phone/asking to pay bills.
· The victim believes this situation and, in most circumstances, ends up sending money.
· There have been several similar local reports recently and they are becoming more frequent.
Bogus tradesmen, door-to-door sales or doorstep fraud involves fraudsters trying to scam you after knocking at your door.
Legitimate doorstep selling involves someone selling you goods or services in your home or on your doorstep.
Many honest businesses use this technique – but so do fraudsters.
Door-to-door frauds can take many forms, including:
· Pressure selling
· Unfair contracts
· Overpriced or substandard home maintenance or improvements
· Phoney consumer surveys
· Bogus charity collections.
There are specific laws about door-to-door sales. Many are required to give you a ‘cooling-off’ period (where you can change your mind or request your money back). Bogus tradesmen will offer none of these, and even if they do, you can be sure their ‘guarantee’ will not be honoured.
Bogus salespeople will provide false identity or contact information, making it impossible for you to identify or contact them. If you’ve paid them in advance, you won’t get your money back.
Also, be wary of opening your door to a potential burglar or someone who wants to get inside your property to enable other people to break in. Once they get through your door, fraudulent salespeople can take note of your valuables and any security measures you have in place.
 
IF YOU THINK YOU ARE BEING SCAMMED OR DO NOT RECOGNISE THE CONTACT
 
· STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
· CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
· PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.
For further information visit:
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/
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