SCAM WARNINGS
A Suffolk resident has received a call from an individual claiming to be from the Credit Investigation Bureau, working in partnership with Citizens Advice and Central Government. The caller explained that they were contacting people who were in debt, and would be able to help them to get their debts written off, due to Covid-19.
Fortunately the resident was suspicious of the call. They searched the internet for the phone number that called them, and sought advice from Suffolk County Council’s Adult and Community Services (ACS), who was able to help confirm that it was a scam.
Information about the bogus company can be found here on the Financial Conduct Authority’s website: https://www.fca.org.uk/news/warnings/credit-investigation-department-bureau-services
Please share and report all scams to us via 0808 223 1133.
An elderly Sudbury resident has been targeted by a rogue doorstep caller.
The 94 year old was approached at the door by a trader asking if she required any gardening work. She advised that she needed her lawn cut.
The trader carried out the work in the rear garden and attempted to charge her £250. The victim said that she felt that this was too expensive, and so the trader cut the lawn at the front of the property too.
The trader then drove the victim (still in her dressing gown) into town to withdraw £250 in cash.
The trader drove her home again and said he would be back to collect the money. He returned some time later to the property with two other individuals to obtain the cash.
Thankfully, the Police arrived and stopped any payment being made.
Suffolk Police and Suffolk Trading Standards are now investigating further.
If you have any information that might assist, or were approached by traders offering gardening services, please report it to us via 0808 223 1133.
Here is an example of a recent Test and Trace phone call scam where the recipient is noted as X. Thankfully in this case the recipient realised it was a scam.
Caller: Good morning. I am calling from the NHS Track and Trace Service. According to our system you are likely to have been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 test.
X: Ok, can you tell me who that person was?
Caller: I am not able to do that. That is confidential information.
X: Right …So?
Caller: But you do need to be tested within the next 72 hours. So, can I get the best mailing address so that we can send a kit to you?
X: Ok ( gives address).
Caller: Thank you. I just need to take a payment card so that we can finalise this and send the kit to you.
X: Sorry, a payment card? I thought this was all free?
Caller: No, I am afraid not. There is a one-off payment of £500 for the kit and the test results. Could you read off the long card number for me, please, when you are ready?
X: No, that’s not right. This is part of the NHS so there is no charge.
Caller: I am afraid there is. Can you give me the card number please – this is very important and there are penalties for not complying.
X: puts the phone down.
Testing through the NHS is free.
If you should encounter a similar phone call, put the phone down as this is a scam.
Report all scams to us via 0808 223 1133.