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Spot a scam –
stop a scam
LIVERPOOL people are being
warned to be on the look-out for callers offering financial services,
but who will leave them out of pocket.
The warning comes from Liverpool Trading Standards and Speke and
Wavertree Citizen's Advice Bureaux who have teamed up to run Scams
Awareness Month throughout May. They are urging people to:-
'spot
scams to stop scams.'
In particular they are warning people to be wary of unsolicited
phone calls or texts offering financial services such as PPI claims,
loans or debt reduction services.
Trading Standards has seen an increase in complaints from consumers
who have responded to these types of calls and found themselves out
of pocket. Many of the calls ask for upfront payments, often by
electronic money, and then provide no service to the consumer who
has little chance of getting their cash back.
New figures reveal over 22,000 reports of scams were made to the
Citizens Advice service in England and Wales in the last 12 months
but this is likely to be an underestimate as many people fail to
report if they have been ripped-off.
Eileen Devaney manager of Speke CAB said:- "People are seeing
their money go down the drain as con artists rip them off by
promising loans, debt management, refund of PPI or bank charges,
lottery wins, or even a new job only to find there is nothing at the
end. In these difficult economic times to lose money over something
like this can be devastating for many people."
John McHale, of Liverpool Trading Standards said:- "This month
we are warning people to be on the look out for rogues looking to
make a quick buck at their expense and reminding them that scams are
crimes so it is vital they are reported. Scams come in all shapes
and sizes including adverts, people knocking on your door, emails,
letters, phone calls, texts and over the internet, so be alert to
all of them."
Key signs that something is a scam include being contacted out of
the blue, requests for money in advance or telling you to keep it a
secret.
As part of Scams Awareness Month both Speke and Wavertree CAB's will
be running open events for the public at Allerton and Picton
libraries in May.
Further information...
What to do if you have been scammed:-
► Report it to Action Fraud on:- 0300 123 2040, to help stop it happening
to others.
► Often you can't always get your money back if you've been scammed,
especially if you've handed over cash but If you've paid for goods
or services by credit card you have more protection and if you use a
debit card you may be able to ask your bank for a chargeback.
► Get advice and report it to Trading Standards through the Citizens
Advice consumer service on:- 08454 04 05 06 (for advice in Welsh phone:-
08454 04 05 05) or get advice
online.
Signs of a scam
► The call, letter, email or text has come out of the blue.
► You've never heard of the lottery or competition they are talking
about .
► You didn't buy a ticket – so you can't win.
► They are asking you to send money in advance.
► They are saying you have to respond quickly, so you don't get time
to think about it or ask family and friends before you decide.
► They are telling you to keep it a secret.
► They seem to be offering you something for nothing.
► If it seems too good to be true – it probably is.
How to protect yourself better
► Never give out contact details like your name, phone number or
address to strangers or to people who should have this information
already.
► Never give financial information or details of your identity, bank
accounts or credit card to strangers or to the
businesses that should already hold your details.
► Shred anything with your personal or bank details on; don't just
throw it away.
► If in doubt, don't reply. Bin it, delete it or hang up.
► Persuasive sales patter? Just say:-
"No Thank You."
► Resist pressure to make a decision straight away.
► Never send money to someone you don't know.
► Walk away from job adverts that ask for money in advance.
► Ask friends, neighbours or family about whether an offer is likely
to be a scam.
Common scams
► Lotteries — A phone call, text or email proclaims a huge
lottery win – even though the receiver hasn't bought a ticket. In
order to collect winnings you are asked to send money to cover "processing"
or "administration" costs.
► Phishing — an email (or Vishing for phone calls) pretending
to be from your bank asking for you to update, validate or confirm
details so that scammers can access your account.
► SMShing - mobile phone text messages lure you onto fraudulent
websites or invite you to call a premium rate mobile number or
download malicious content via the phone or web.
► ElectriCity meter credit – people
on pre-payment meters are offered cut-price electriCity but end up
paying for their energy twice. Criminals use cloned keys to top up
energy credit illegally. You end up paying for the energy twice, 1st to the fraudsters and
then to the company at the correct rate.
► Pyramid selling — This is an illegal trick where you are told
you can earn money by recruiting new members to a money-making
venture. In reality only a tiny minority make money, everyone else
loses. |
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GREAT DAYS OUT
ABOUT PADDLE STEAMER WAVERLEY
BOOKINGS are now being
taken for cruises aboard the famous Paddle Steamer Waverley for her
first sailings from Liverpool in more than a decade! Waverley
- the world's last sea-going Paddle Steamer, will sail from
Liverpool on the weekend of 1 June and 2 June 2013.
On Saturday, 1 June 2013 Waverley will set sail from the Cruise Terminal
at 10am for a cruise of the Lancashire coast towards Blackpool. She
will sail again at 7pm for a Showboat cruise where passengers can
join the party atmosphere created by the live band as they cruise on
the Mersey. Bars and restaurant will be open all evening.
On Sunday June 2, Waverley will retrace the route of the original
paddle steamers, steaming down the Mersey and along the North Wales
Coast, past Colwyn Bay to cruise round the Northern Coast of
Anglesey to Holyhead, viewing the Great Orme and Puffin Island.
Andy O'Brian, Waverley's Captain said:- "We are very much
looking forward to bringing Waverley to Liverpool once again. We are
very grateful for the support of the Cruise Terminal, Mersey Docks &
Harbour Company and Mersey Bunkering, all of whom have worked with
us to get the logistics right to allow Waverley to return to
Liverpool."
The paddle steamer's first visit to Liverpool was in 1977, her 1st
ever public sailings outside her home waters of the Clyde to mark
the Centenary of the opening of Llandudno Pier.
Tickets for the cruises start at £21 for adults, and there is more
information and booking available
online or by calling
Waverley's office on:- 0845 130 4647.
Everton scores
with a new app
ONE of the country's
leading football grounds has kicked the opposition into touch with a
new app showcasing its conference and event facilities.
Goodison Park – home to premier league Everton Football Club – has
turned to technology to showcase its newly refurbished conference
and function rooms to those planning to host a social or corporate
event at the ground.
The app, which can be downloaded free of charge, not only displays
360 degree images of the stadium's nine rooms and suites but also
offers users a full breakdown of the packages and special offers
available.
In addition it enables users to find out more about its executive,
pitch-side boxes which boast uninterrupted views of the hallowed
turf and outlines ways in which conference organisers can impress
their guests by combining business meetings with a dinner and a tour
of the famous ground.
Currently only available to ipad users, the Everton Venue Guide will
soon be available to download from mobile phones and is constantly
updated with details of packages and special offers including the
present offer of day delegate packages from as little as £19.95 per
person.
The basic package includes free room hire, lunch and refreshments
throughout the day, along with state-of-the-art audio visual
technology, free parking for up to 300 cars, free Wifi, multi plasma
widescreen TVs, air conditioning and stationery.
For those without access to the new app, further information about
conferencing and events at Goodison Park can be obtained by calling:-
0151 530 5250 or via
email.
Debate on Europe
letting British business down
NORTH West manufacturers are calling on the
Prime Minister to hold good his promise of leading a proper,
informed debate about Britain's relationship with the EU.
Making the call ahead of the vote on an amendment in Parliament on
an EU referendum, EEF, the manufacturers' organisation believes the
current debate is 'letting British business down' with
politicians making claims that the EU isn't working for Britain
rather than focussing on how to make it work better.
Instead, EEF is urging the Prime Minister to lead a debate which
will provide an informed choice for British businesses, those
working for them and, current and potential investors.
Commenting, David Ost, EEF North West Region Director, said:-
"Our future relationship with Europe is crucial for British
business, those who work for them and those companies considering
investing here. They deserve better than our politicians past and
present lining up to say things aren't working and that a vote is
needed now. We need a debate
based, as far as possible, on evidence to help the British public
make an informed choice about what they could gain from a reformed
Europe. In January the Prime Minister promised to promote the
benefits of the Single Market and work with like-minded states in
Europe to create a union focused on growth, competitiveness and job
creation. Whatever their views, the rest of his party must commit
themselves 100% to this approach for the benefit of Britain."
SAFE Update
THE next meeting of S.A.F.E.
(Southport Access For Everyone) will be held on Monday, 20 May 2013, at
Victoria Methodist Church, Sussex Road, at 7pm.
Guest speaker this month is Seftons Network and Infrastructure
manager Jerry McConkey to address members and anyone who is
interested in disability problems will be welcome.
The venue is fully accessible and there is adequate car parking.
Light refreshments will be served before the meeting commences.
For further information about S.A.F.E. For further enquiries
telephone:- 07866531036 or go to their
website.
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