UK at risk of ‘Vishing’

‘Vishing’ involves a fraudster making a phone call to a potential victim, posing as someone from a bank or building society fraud investigation team, the police or another legitimate organisation such as a telephone or internet provider. They attempt to obtain financial information which often includes credit/debit card details (including PIN), bank account details and personal information such as full name, date of birth or address. This information is then used by the fraudster to gain access to their victim’s finances.

Trading Standards is warning people to not be afraid of putting the phone down to fraudsters but be wary of those cold callers who suggest you hang up the phone and call them back. Fraudsters will keep your phone line open by not putting down the receiver at their end. Remember that it takes two people to terminate a call so try and use a different phone line if you are asked to ring back.

If you think you may have been a victim of this type of scam, please report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/report_fraud

Produced: 2nd September 2013 by Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards

Rogue Trader Alert

Neighbourhood Watch have reported that a local resident has recently received such a call.

The vulnerable victim wasn’t fully aware of the situation occurring but luckily the victim’s neighbour spotted that the roofers were carrying out work and contacted family relatives to attend. The roofers claimed that the victim owed £350.00 but the family relatives denied paying this as there had been no work carried out.

The roofers were warned off and came back the next day to frighten the victim by sawing a fridge freezer in half and left it on the victim’s drive way and then days later came back
again and poured oil across the driveway.

These scams take advantage of people who are vulnerable and can easily be talked in to thinking there is a problem.
If you think you may have been a victim of this type of scam, please report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/report_fraud

If you are suspicious of any callers, please inform the Police right away. Staffordshire Police non emergency number is 101 or in an emergency dial 999.

Produced: 28th August 2013 by Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards

Ridware Young Farmers – Joining up night

Ridware Young Farmers are a friendly bunch of 12-26 year olds who meet every wednesday at 7.30pm. Being a young farmers member you can meet knew like-minded people, enter competitions such as Tug-of-War and Flower aranging, go to amazing balls and discos and even see the odd cow. Please come and join in the fun at our Joining up night, its going to be brilliant!

For more information please visit our Facebook page or contact:
Chairman – George Goodwin on 07974 730604, or
Secretary – Emma Smith on 07935 860427