Central
Bedfordshire
Scam Aware
The Trading Standards team would like to bring the following warning, issued by Hertfordshire Trading Standards, to your attention:
"Energy conscious consumers are being warned to be on the look out for bogus cold callers selling devices they claim can cut energy use.
Hertfordshire Trading Standards is warning that the devices, which are being sold for up to £99 each, could pose a fire and electrocution risk. The devices also offer no energy savings.
The cold callers speak to unwitting victims and appear genuine, often possessing details of their energy supplier and sometimes some or all of the digits of their credit/debit card.
The plug-in-the-wall devices have been sold by a number of different companies nationwide and can be identified by the distinctive green box and instruction manual in broken English.
Associated with this first scam, a second bogus 'claims management company' operation has been uncovered.
The claims management company tells consumers that they have been sold a faulty energy saving device and could be eligible for up to £3,000 compensation.
To qualify for compensation, consumers are told to buy a Ukash voucher of around £300 to cover admin costs and to wait for their compensation cheque to arrive. However, this is a scam and victims do not receive any money after sending through the Ukash voucher code over the phone."
Hertfordshire Trading Standards is warning that the devices, which are being sold for up to £99 each, could pose a fire and electrocution risk. The devices also offer no energy savings.
The cold callers speak to unwitting victims and appear genuine, often possessing details of their energy supplier and sometimes some or all of the digits of their credit/debit card.
The plug-in-the-wall devices have been sold by a number of different companies nationwide and can be identified by the distinctive green box and instruction manual in broken English.
Associated with this first scam, a second bogus 'claims management company' operation has been uncovered.
The claims management company tells consumers that they have been sold a faulty energy saving device and could be eligible for up to £3,000 compensation.
To qualify for compensation, consumers are told to buy a Ukash voucher of around £300 to cover admin costs and to wait for their compensation cheque to arrive. However, this is a scam and victims do not receive any money after sending through the Ukash voucher code over the phone."
If you think you have recently purchased one of these devices from a doorstep cold-caller or have received one of these cold-calls, or have any information about a suspect rogue trader or possible scam in general, please contact the Trading Standards team via Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
In the meantime, please visit our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/bescamaware for advice and guidance on how to spot a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.
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Kind regards
Trading Standards
(Community Safety and Public Protection)
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Central Bedfordshire Council Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire , SG17 5TQ
Telephone: 0300 300 8136 Email: trading.standards@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
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Central Bedfordshire Council
Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands,
Shefford, Bedfordshire SG17 5TQ
customer.services@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
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Improving the quality of life for all
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