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Rt Hon Dame Cheryl Gillan DBE MP

Scamming Complaints (30 March 2020)

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Scamming complaints on the rise as virus continues to spread

Doorstep scammers are taking advantage of the coronavirus emergency to con elderly and vulnerable people.

There has been a rise in the number of scam complaints related to the coronavirus outbreak, according to Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards team, who are urging members of the public to be aware. Since the beginning of the month the total number of scam complaints has increased by 40%.

Latest complaints include reports of a South Buckinghamshire woman in her 80s who answered the door to a man who tried to demand £220 in cash to complete a health and safety check. Additionally, there have been widespread complaints of scammers trying to take people’s bank details to cover payments for school meals whilst the schools are closed.

Residents are also being urged to be especially wary of people offering or selling:

·         Virus testing kits – these are only offered by the NHS.

·         Vaccines or miracle cures – there is currently no vaccine or cure.

·         Shopping or medication collection services that require payment upfront.

·         Home cleaning services.

·         Overpriced or counterfeit products.

Residents must also be wary of emails, texts, telephone calls and messages via social media from scammers offering refunds on taxes or bills, as these are highly prevalent.

Trading Standards have provided some helpful tips to help prevent people from becoming victims of scams:

·         Don’t be pressurised into making a decision. If someone is trying to rush you or panic you, they are probably trying to scam you.

·         Only purchase goods from trusted retailers.

·         Be suspicious of requests for money upfront.

·         Do not give your bank card or bank details to a stranger. Never write your PIN number down.

·         Know who you’re dealing with – if you don’t know the person who’s offering you help then ask to be introduced by someone that you know and trust.

Gareth Williams, Buckinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health, said: “I am absolutely appalled that anyone would use a time of national emergency to target vulnerable and older people. This is as low as you can get.

I’m heartened by the fantastic number of people locally who want to help others, and I’d encourage anyone looking out for their elderly and vulnerable neighbours to keep an eye and ear out for these types of scammers.”

If you have information or are worried about coronavirus related scams please contact Trading Standards. You can email trading.standards@bucksandsurreytradingstandards.gov.uk or call on 01296 388788.
 

 

 

COVID

  • DCMS COVID-19 Update (10 July 2020)
  • Prime Minister update on the COVID-19 response (31 July 2020)
  • DCMS COVID-19 Update (10 July 2020)
  • Government Information on face coverings on Public Transport (15 June 2020)
  • Response to Extending the Implementation Period (June 2020)
  • Responses to Emails
  • Urgent Question to the Chancellor on British Airways (12 May 2020)
  • Buckinghamshire Council Newsletter (4 May 2020)
  • Prime Minister's Questions - Autism (29 April 2020)
  • Access to coronavirus testing expanded further. Apply now (29 April 2020)
  • Parliamentary Oral Question to DCMS (27 April 2020)
  • Westminster Letter for the Bucks Free Press: Staying Safe Online During COVID-19 (24 April 2020)
  • Press Release: Social Distancing for Contractors (23 April 2020)
  • Press Release - Re-evaluate HS2 (21 April 2020)
  • Domestic abuse support in Buckinghamshire during coronavirus (21 April 2020)
  • Joint Statement from Buckinghamshire MPs on HS2 Notice to Proceed (15 April 2020)
  • Royal Crown Derby's 'Make a Mug, Make a Difference' Campaign (14 April 2020)
  • Press Release from Buckinghamshire Council (14 April 2020)
  • Press Release - Dame Cheryl Praises Front Line Workers (9 April 2020)
  • New Ofcom Research about News and Covid-19 and Online Resources Page for Fact-Checking Information (9 April 2020)
  • Press Release from Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (7 April 2020)
  • News from Buckinghamshire Council (6 April 2020)
  • Joint Statement from Buckinghamshire MPs about COVID-19 (1 April 2020)
  • Support Package from Sport England (1 April 2020)
  • Advice When Shopping for Food and Supplies from the British Retail Consortium (31 March 2020)
  • Press Release from Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (30 March 2020)
  • Scamming Complaints (30 March 2020)
  • Communication from HMRC (27 March 2020)
  • Communication from Sainsbury’s (26 March 2020)
  • Parking Charges in Buckinghamshire (26 March 2020)
  • Diabetes UK: COVID-19 advice for people living with diabetes and their families (25 March 2020)
  • Library Access in Buckinghamshire (25 March 2020)
  • Communication from Affinity Water (24 March 2020)
  • Community Help Leaflet for Chesham Bois Area (23 March 2020)
  • Rental Arrangements (23 March 2020)
  • Communication from Sainsbury’s (22 March 2020)
  • Communication from Pets at Home (22 March 2020)
  • Joint Statement from Buckinghamshire MPs about Covid-19 (20 March 2020)
  • Update from Buckinghamshire County Council (19 March 2020)
  • Emergency Coronavirus Bill (19 Mach 2020)
  • Communication from Alzheimer's Society (19 March 2020)
  • Communication from Chiltern Railways (19 March 2020)
  • UK Energy industry response (19 March 2020)
  • Government changes procurement policy in response to Covid-19 (18 March 2020)
  • Communication from Sky (18 March 2020)
  • Home Working: Protection (18 March 2020)
  • Communication from Sainsbury’s (18 March 2020)
  • Advice from ABTA on COVID-19 (17 March 2020)
  • Foreign Secretary's Statement on COVID-19 (17 March 2020)
  • Coronavirus (COVID 19) Volunteer Groups - 16 March 2020
  • Coronavirus (COVID 19) Update - 16 March 2020
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update (3 March 2020)
  • Coronavirus Update

Cheryl Gillan Member of Parliament for Chesham and Amersham

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