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Possible Phone Scams?
THIS week our paper received our monthly
phone bill and we spotted we had a larger bill than normal. When we
looked at the
numbers we found 2 premium rate numbers on it, costing around
£20.00. Most businesses might miss this, so we decided to find
out how many other businesses and people have had this happen to
them and what can be done to resolve it.
This has led us to investigate how these numbers got on our bill, as
no one has phoned them and no one seems to know how it
has happened, especially as no one was in the office at the time!
The phone provider told us that we had to contact the
police, but they could not help. So it was off to Trading
Standards. Sadly, Sefton Trading Standards could not help directly,
but did pass us onto a group called PhonepayPlus.
We do
have to say a very big thank you to Sefton Trading Standards, as
they have helped us by finding out that the bill for this call
came from a group who do scratch card promotions.
This has lead to
both Sefton Trading Standards and ourselves becoming more
puzzled. Also, we are all shocked as to how difficult it is to get
the bill dropped!
So if any one has had any odd phone calls on their bills, please let
us know and we will forward all the information on to
Sefton Trading Standards. Also we would like to know if the Phone
Company has resolved the issue for you and refunded the
cash.
Alternatively you can let Sefton Trading Standards know of any odd
calls, and numbers on your bills by
emailing them.
Also Sefton Trading Standards would be very interested in anyone who
has had unusual calls from banks that are automated.
Please note the time, date and if possible the number used to call
you on.
We also have also had the following message received on our
radiophone line, To hear our recording please click
here. This automated
message has both Sefton Trading Standards and ourselves intrigued.
We can say that both Trading Standards
and our selves do not know of any Government scheme to write off
your debits. The only thing that can do that is declaring your
self bankrupt! But that has massive implications...
So if anyone
has had this call or has dealt with this group, please let us know.
Our newsroom email address is
news24@southportreporter.com. But if you do receive
this call, please do not intentionally press the requested number, as this
could be a scam!
Any help would be most appreciated.
On another note Trading Standards are also very interested in
unsolicited billing/invoices and any information from businesses
related to people asking about advertising in publishing house
magazines.
Data Protection Act Warning... Please note that I am compiling all
the information we receive to write a news report. All emails used
by us will be logged and held for legal reference. Also if you do
not want to be identified, but want us to still include your story
in the news item, please state that in your email or letter. We
must, however, still keep your information logged in our files.
Also, if you agree to us passing your information to Trading
Standards, please signify this or state that you do not wish your
information to be relayed. Your help to identify possible sharp
practices will be appreciated.
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A
third of drivers admit to ignoring laws of the road!
SERCO Learning, one of the
world’s leading suppliers of educational solutions, is staging a
series of half day seminar for local authorities and primary and
secondary schools to launch an innovative new online tool that will
help revolutionise how teachers assess their pupils in maths and
science.
The Serco Roadshow, which visits the Liverpool Marriott on Queen
Square in Liverpool on Wednesday, 7 May 2008, will give
delegates the opportunity to gain first hand experience how Alfie, a
cost-effective online assessment tool, will work in the classroom.
Local Authorities are invited to attend the 10am to 1pm session,
whilst primary and secondary schools are invited to attend the
afternoon event (2pm to 4pm).
Representatives from Serco Learning will explain how Alfie can help
to speed up the assessment process in maths and science at key stage
levels two and three by providing pupils with instant results and
positive feedback; and most significantly for teachers, no marking
required.
They will then demonstrate how Alfie can provide teachers with
information about learner responses and access to formative data
about objectives that each learner finds difficult, as well as
generating a wealth of reports at a touch of a button, all of which
provide measurements against norm groups for the QCA Exam Board,
giving teachers an indication of learner performance in national
tests (SATS).
The system is fully licensed, ensuring that teachers have access to
all the latest exam questions and norm data and at an average price
of approximately £1 per pupil is an extremely cost effective
solution.
The session will also include a short presentation about Serco
Learning’s upgraded Learning Platform, which is being relaunched
under the name of SkillSpace.
The new solution, which builds on the
success of Learning Platform, provides schools with a dynamic and
engaging webspace that allows them to share learning experiences
with every member of the school community. It is quick and easy to
use and features a clear, colourful and customisable user interface.
Teachers can create and share engaging e-learning lessons using a
simple drag and drop function, electronically mark homework or
projects and monitor student assessments and portfolios. While
pupils can access learning tools appropriate to their year group,
store files and upload homework; and thanks to the secure social
networking facility, build profiles, chat in online forums and write
blogs.
“Serco Learning has worked closely with a number of primary
and secondary teachers throughout the product development process
and as a result, Alfie provides them with exactly what they need; a
solution that is easy to use, engages youngsters and provides
instantaneous, qualitative results and reports. Feedback from
teachers showed that they wanted the Learning Platform to be easier
to use and to have a file sharing capability, so that’s exactly what
SkillSpace provides. Furthermore, teachers are provided with Learner
Activity Reports so they can monitor the time, date and frequency of
access to learning content, and pupils can post questions about
homework that perhaps they wouldn’t otherwise ask. I
would encourage local authorities, primary and secondary schools to
come along to the event and find out exactly how Alfie/these
products can help you." says Ric Thompson, director of Serco
Learning.
Serco Learning Solutions, part of Serco Group plc, are providers of
learning solutions including the Facility Management Information
System and the Facility Learning Platform to Schools, Further/Higher
Education and the Health Sector.
To register for the event call 08456 888500 or
email them. |
