Energy scams
Which? Warn that they have received reports of phone calls to households, pretending to be from the council and asking for card details to make a £150 energy rebate payment. They also report that scammers impersonate Ofgem through emails, texts and websites asking people to enter their banking details to qualify for fake energy refunds. The latest scam focuses on the Government’s new energy grants – it’s a text that asks you to click a link to sign up for the grant. The Government are not sending text messages as the grant will be applied to your energy account automatically.
This text comes from various phone numbers – you can check phone numbers on the website ‘who called me’ which will tell you if a number has been reported as suspicious. Forward the message to 7726 to report the scam and then block the phone number.
Santander scam
Watch out for fake emails saying that your account has been suspended –especially fake if you don’t have a Santander account – but the email address ‘info@jeam.co.jp’ is also a clue!
Be scam–aware:
Were you expecting a call from this company? If not hang up, check for the correct number on their website – and ring them back. Don’t give out any personal informal information or bank details unless you are sure you are talking to the real company. Premium rate phone numbers beginning with ‘09’ can cost you up to £3.60 per minute.
Is the offer too good to be true? Then it very probably is a scam. Legitimate companies will always give you time to discuss the proposition with other people and think it over. Professional companies write professional emails that are checked – poor English is a sure sign of a scam.
If you have been affected by a scam – Victim Support has a free confidential helpline 0808 168 9111 and Mind 0300 123 3393.
Visit www.rainford-it.co.uk or call 07552 863996
Pictured: John, Logan and Dane of family business, Rainford IT.
