Index - click on a
date
Feb 22High Lane Burglaries Jun
15Police
warning after
spate of thefts and burglaries through
insecurities Jul
18Bogus
Caller,
Offerton Jul
20Residents urged to help stop scam mail Jul
23 Beware
of Council Tax Banding
Appeal Companies Jul
26Just a Reminder Aug
15
Test Purchasing (Alcohol) Aug
16 Alert
- duster sellers Aug
18Cosmetic Scam Aug
20
United Utilities -
Bogus Callers Aug
31
Vehicle Crime Alert Sept
04
General advice regarding Rogue Traders & Scams Sept
27
Rogue Traders/Bogus Official Oct
11
Early Warning Alert - scams Oct
26
Defrosting Vehicles Nov
27
Council Tax Cold Callers
Concerned householders in Stockport have contacted the Council’s
Trading Standards after being targeted by a company about Council Tax
re-banding.
Residents are cold called and informed that their house may be in the
wrong Council Tax band. For an upfront fee of £165 the
company say they will pursue an appeal to the Valuation Office on the
resident’s behalf which could secure “huge savings”
of thousands of pounds.
Trading Standards have been aware of several instances where the
company has made false representations by inferring they are from the
Council or the Valuation office, therefore giving credence to their
legitimacy. Some representatives also give the impression that the
promised “savings” quoted are taken from Valuation Office
data.
Trading Standards is looking into several consumer complaints and will
investigate any potential criminal offences.
The company provides cancellation rights so unsatisfied customers can
cancel in the prescribed period and get their money back.
Stockport Council stressed this week that any householder can apply to
have their Council Tax band reviewed free of charge by contacting the
local Valuation Office on 03000 501501 or by visiting their website
www.voa.gov.uk. They are happy to discuss any Council Tax matter
or concern with anyone who contacts them.
Councillor Kevin Hogg, Executive Member for the Public Realm, said
“This company asks residents to pay up front for a service
available free of charge through the Valuation Office. Whilst
this is not illegal, residents should be aware that this is a private
enterprise with no connections to the Council or the Valuation Office.
If a salesperson claims or implies otherwise, this is a criminal
offence and we urge residents to report this. Residents are
advised to exercise caution before entering into any agreement with any
company offering Council Tax Re-banding appeals.”
Stockport Council does not phone householders about their Council Tax
and does not make unsolicited visits. The Council Tax helpline is
0161 217 6014.
If anyone feels that they have been misled by a cold caller, please
report the matter to Citizen’s Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454
040506.
Message
Received: Oct 26 2012, 14:14 Defrosting Vehicles
Police are reminding people not to leave their cars unattended on the
drive while defrosting them following cold weather.
Seasonally, between October and March there is an upsurge in theft of
motor vehicles from driveways.
Simple crime prevention measures to protect vehicles include:
• ensure your vehicle is securely locked,
including passenger doors and sun roof, and that alarms
or immobilisers are switched on.
• remove all belongings from the vehicle –
even a bag of rubbish could convince a thief there is
something worth stealing.
• take your sat nav with you remembering to
remove the cradle and wipe any sucker marks off
the dashboard or windscreen. Leaving the cradle in place
tells the crooks that the sat nav might
be in the glove box or boot.
• park in a garage if you have one or park under
street lights if possible
• remove work equipment from your vehicle
• keep your car keys in a safe place so if
someone breaks into your home they cannot steal your
vehicle as well.
Message
Received: Oct 11 2012, 13:31 Early Warning Alert - scams
We have been made aware of a number of scams going on that could
potentially affect older people in Stockport. The information is from
the Action Fraud and National Fraud Intelligence Bureau. Brief details
are below.
Please be as vigilant with your emails and phone calls and do not
to give out personal details.
1. Ransomeware scam
2. Paypal themed scam
3. Lottery scam
4. Bogus PPI scams
5. Virus contained in supermarket voucher
6. Energy saving scam
7. Telephone warning scam
Message
Received: Sept 27 2012, 12:41 Rogue Traders/Bogus Official
Early Warning alert - Bredbury
General Information:
2 similar reports of cutting down trees and sharing costs with
neighbour. Unknown offender knocks on the front door posing as a
gardener. Offender advises householder that he is cutting down conifer
trees at the rear and the neighbours have asked if householder will
assist with the cost and pay half of the price. At the first address
the victim gives the offender the money which she has at home. At the
second address the victim states she has no money at home so it
escorted to the bank. The victim hands over the money and is driven
back home.
Offender/Vehicle description:
1. White Male, stocky build, aged 30-40 years, approx 5'8", round
chubby face, fair cropped hair, pale blue jumper or short with long
sleeves with Puma logo in black, light blue jeans.
2. White male, stocky build, approx 5’5”, aged 40-50,
chubby face, light brown cropped hair.
Early Warning Alert - Hazel Grove
General Information:
2 unknown offenders attend the address and speak to the householder on
the doorstep stating they are doing building work in the area, and
offer to complete work to the front patio to the value of
£1400. The offenders ask for £170 up front for
building materials. Victim hands over the money and the offenders leave
the property and do not return.
Offender/Vehicle description:
1. White male, 5'9" in height, well built, blue eyes with blonde fine
hair. Aged approx early 30'S. Wearing grey short trousers and blue
Plimsoles.
2. White male, 5'10" in height, slim build, aged in his early 30'S,
dressed all in grey and possibly had a hood up.
Early Warning Alert - Reddish
General Information:
2 males attended the address purporting to be gas workers and gained
entry to the address stating there had been a gas emergency and they
need to check her boiler. The victim has allowed them into the kitchen
and she has gone into the living room and phoned her son as she is a
repeat victim. It is believed the offenders have heard this
conversation and left the address without having the chance to steal
anything. Transco confirmed there was no gas emergency.
Offender/Vehicle description:
1. White male, middle aged, wearing dirty blue overalls, local accent.
2. White male, late teens, wearing dirty blue overalls, local accent
PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS INFORMATION:
When answering the door, always use a door chain, check who is there by
looking through a window or door viewer and always ask for
identification – IF IN DOUBT KEEP THEM OUT!
Don’t do business or accept services from a cold caller on the
telephone or at the door
Remind people to lock all doors and windows securely
Message
Received: Sept 04 2012, 16:52 Rogue traders will often turn up unannounced and say
they are doing work in your area. They will offer to do drive way work,
building work, install alarms or do other work for a very cheap price
as long as you agree to have the work done there and then. Don’t
do business or accept services from a cold caller on the telephone or
at the door.
Remember:
Get another opinion; don’t just accept the word at your door.
Take time to think and shop around. A reputable firm will always be
happy for you to do this.
You are in charge. Don’t sign or agree to anything there
and then unless you are completely happy, no matter what discounts are
offered.
Ask to see cancellation rights. These should be supplied in
writing.
If in doubt don’t sign or agree to work being done.
Never give bank details over the phone or on the doorstep.
If you are concerned about a trader or work that has been done call
Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
Message
Received: Aug 31 2012, 11:48 Vehicle Crime Alert
There have been a number of burglaries targeting car keys in the
Stockport Area recently.
Car thieves are increasingly turning to new methods of car crime,
particularly stealing the keys to the car first, rather than having to
break in and then start the car manually.
Make sure your keys are kept in a secure place at home and at work.
Burglars have been known to break into houses and offices just to steal
car keys.
And at home, don't be in the habit of leaving your car keys close to
the front door where they can be seen. This might make life easier for
you, but it's also very handy for a car thief.
Never leave the keys in your car even for a second. This is especially
important when loading or unloading your car, or at petrol stations.
Look after your car keys the same as you would your other personal
possession such as cash or credit cards. Even if you are just taking
shopping from the boot of your car into the house, NEVER leave your
keys in the car.
A thief will take any opportunity that you give them.
If you see anyone acting suspiciously or have any information regarding
vehicle crime please report this to GMP, tel no. 101 or Crimestoppers
0800 555 111
Message
Received: Aug 20 2012, 14:11 United Utilities -
Bogus Callers
United Utilities have made us aware that bogus callers posing as water
board officials are operating in the area.
Bogus callers are also telephoning consumers across the North West
purporting to be from United Utilities and trying to secure bank
details.
Never give out your bank details over the phone, and if you come across
any scams of this nature, please report them to Citizens Advice
Consumer Service on 08454 040506.
Doorstep criminals or bogus callers use all kinds of tricks to take
money and valuables from householders. They may operate alone or in
groups, be male or female and use a variety of guises to trick their
way into your home. They may claim to be from the utility services such
as water, gas or electric company. They may also claim to be from the
council, a charity or the Police.
The key message is to:
LOCK: Front and back doors while at home and away
STOP: Check through a window or door viewer when you have a caller at
the door
CHAIN: Put on the door chain or door bar before opening the door to
strangers
CHECK: Always ask for ID and check it carefully – keep a list of
official telephone numbers by the phone (Genuine callers will always be
happy to wait if you want to phone and confirm their identity)
IF IN DOUBT KEEP THEM OUT!
Contact your utility company and ask to join the password scheme. You
provide a password and when the representative from the utility company
calls they tell you your password to prove they are genuine.
Message Received: Aug 18 2012, 12:00 Noon
Cosmetic Scam
One Ringmaster member has reported the following scam (this has also
been sent to Stockport Trading Standards):
The member received an offer on the internet for free cosmetics, in
return for paying for postage and packing by credit card. The company
then starts sending cosmetics once per month and a charge of about
£70 appears on the customer’s credit card. She rang them
(in USA) to cancel. However, then received a package from a "Club" in
Brighton (charging £600 per year to join).
The member had already been charged £2.99 for postage and packing
and subsequently rang Trading Standards (Consumer Direct) who asked if
she’d bought anything from the internet.
This is known as "inertia selling". whereby the Company joins you in
their club, for which an extortionate charge is made, and it is up to
you to cancel within 21 days or they will go on charging you £50
per month (£600 per annum). The American company had passed the
credit card details onto the Club, - no address, just a PO Box number.
Beware of free gifts and passing credit card details to pay for postage
and packing. The advice given by Consumer Direct was to cancel the
membership of club by letter, keep a copy of the letter and get proof
of posting from Post Office.
Police and Trading Standards are concerned about reports
that
young men are attempting to sell household supplies such as tea-towels
and dusters etc. by knocking at homes in the Borough and claiming they
are recently out of prison and trying to make a living.
The goods are of poor quality but some householders are convinced to
make a donation because the men claim this is part of a Probation
Service initiative to help them stay on the straight and narrow.
We have confirmed that the Probation Service do not run such
initiatives.
If you get a visit from such individuals, who will usually have a large
black bag with them containing the goods, you are reminded that you do
not have to open the door to anyone and if you do, keep the door chain
on. If you do not wish to look at the goods or speak to the
person just say that you do not deal with anyone at the doorstep and
shut your door. Do not engage them in conversation.
Please make a note of the person’s appearance, any accent,
and
any distinguishing clothing and telephone the Police non-emergency
number, 101, to report the matter.
Message Received: Aug 15 2012, 09:55 AM
Test Purchasing (Alcohol)
Three licensed premises in the areas of Offerton, Cheadle and Heaton
Chapel sold alcohol to underage volunteers in a joint Police and
Trading Standards test purchasing operation on the 10th August. The
three licensed premises will now face prosecution for the sale of
alcohol to teenagers.
The test purchases were carried out on off-licences across Stockport,
six of the establishments involved asked the volunteer teenagers for ID
or refused to sell them alcohol.
The Police and Trading Standards are committed to tackling the problem
of underage sales and will continue to run similar operation during the
course of the year.
If you wish to report a licensed premises please contact:
Police non-emergency number - 101
Trading Standards - 08454 040506
Anti-social Behaviour Team – 0161 217 6111
Or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously - 0800 555 111
Message Received: Jul
26
2012, 10:03 AM
JUST A REMINDER
101 is the new police non-emergency telephone number.
It is part of a national programme to make it easier for you to contact
police in a non-emergency where you don’t require an
immediate
police response.
For instance:
Reporting a crime that has already happened
Getting crime prevention advice
Giving police information about crime in your area
Contacting local officers or,
Any other non-emergency
101 replaces the current GMP non-emergency number 0161 872 5050 and
provides one easy to remember number that will make it easier for you
to contact police wherever you are in the UK.
Call from landlines and mobile networks cost 15 pence per call, no
matter what time of day or how long you are on the phone for.
Using 101 for situations that don’t require an immediate
police
response will help to make sure 999 calls can be dealt with speedily.
Deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired callers can access the service
via textphone on 18001 101.
Remember …
In an emergency, where there is a threat to life or a crime in
progress, always call 999
Message Received: Jul
23
2012, 09:46 AM
BEWARE OF COUNCIL TAX BANDING APPEAL COMPANIES
Stockport Council is alerting householders about scam Council Tax
banding appeal companies.
The Council says that one company currently targeting Stockport
residents makes misleading claims on its website.
Companies which offer to change Council Tax bands often ask for a fee
upfront to process claims.
Stockport Council automatically refunds any over-payments and does not
phone householders to ask for bank details. If you think you
may
have overpaid, phone the Council on 217 6014 and ask for it to be
checked. If you want to check whether you’re in the
right
Council Tax band, contact the Valuation Office on 03000 50150 or visit
their webpages at www.direct.gov.uk If you wish to appeal against the
band you are in, this is dealt with free of charge.
The Council’s Trading Standards want to know if any companies
claim that they are working with, or on behalf of, Stockport Council or
the valuation office. Residents should report incidents to Trading
Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 040506.
Trading Standards advise householders to put the phone down on these
callers, and report all incidents as legal action is being considered
and this helps to gather evidence.
Trading Standards advise householders to put the phone down on these
callers, and report all incidents as legal action is being considered
and this helps to gather evidence.
Message Received: Jul 20 2012, 02:25 PM
Subject: Residents urged to help stop scam mail
Residents are being urged to help stop scam mail by
supporting a Scams Awareness scheme.
(Editors note: Banks and Building Societies do not send e-mail
messages. If you receive any then they are scams)
Businesses and residents are asked to 'turn them in and turn the tide'
by reporting any scam mail they receive to Action Fraud - the UK's
National fraud and internet crime reporting centre on 0300 123 2040 or
http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
Misleading mailings make false promises of huge bogus lottery wins or
other high value prizes but they always insist on payment to the sender
before any winnings can be claimed. Targets of these scams
are
often elderly or vulnerable people who can find themselves on the
receiving end of wave after wave of letters.
Mailings
received in this year's 'scamnesty' will be analysed and information
shared with partner enforcement agencies in the UK and abroad. This
will help build a picture of what is going on and crackdown on senders
and their networks.
For more information or advice contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service
on 08456 040506.
In the Offerton area, a company have approached a female resident,
overcharging her for cleaning her window frames. The company used
aggressive sales techniques to get her to agree to the work.
The
initial contact was made with the client by cold calling. Please report
any bogus caller information to the police by ringing 101.
REMEMBER:
1.When answering the door, always use a door chain, check who is there
by looking through a window or door viewer and always ask for
identification – IF IN DOUBT KEEP THEM OUT!
2.Don’t do business or accept services from a cold caller on
the telephone or at the door
3.Remind people to lock all doors and windows securely
Message Received: Jun 15 2012, 04:03 PM Subject:
Police warning after spate of thefts and burglaries through
insecurities.
Residents in Stockport are being warned to keep their windows and doors
secure and valuables out of view.
Throughout May in Stockport East, 27 out of 48 theft offences were
recorded where offenders have stolen items from vehicles due to the
doors being left unlocked or the windows left open. Items stolen
include laptops, mobile phones and sat navs.
In 11 out of 25 house burglaries the offenders gained entry through
open or unlocked doors and windows. Officers say that garden
sheds are also targeted at this time of year and a higher percentage is
through insecurities.
Sergeant Jim Wilson from the Stockport East NPT said:
"Neighbourhood officers are patrolling hot spot areas at key times and
we are conducting bail checks and home visits on our most prolific
offenders.
To combat burglary and vehicle crime we really need the support of the
public. They can support us by joining Home Watch and making sure they
are not an easy target for thieves.
Remove valuables from display in cars and most importantly make sure
they are secure when leaving them unattended. When at home
people
should make sure they close and lock their windows and doors, even if
they are just going out of the room to make a quick cup of
tea.
It only takes an opportunistic burglar a few seconds to enter an
insecure property and steal valuable items."
People can contact police with information on 101, the new national
non-emergency number.
Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Crimestoppers is an independent charity that will not want your name,
just your information. Your call will not be traced or
recorded
and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.
Wendy Warburton
PCSO 65374
J Div. East NPT
Marple & High Lane
Greater Manchester Police
0161 427 0115
Ext: 69792
Message
Received: Feb 22 2012, 02:34 PM
Subject: Burglaries
Dear Neighbourhood Watch Member,
I am sorry to tell you but there have been 3 more burglaries
reported this week in High Lane.
Fletcher Drive happened between 4pm and 7.45pm on Sunday evening,
Castleton Drive between 8am on Sunday and 8am Monday. The
third
on the A6 end of Windlehurst Road happened sometime over the
last two weeks while the resident was away on holiday.
Please report any suspicious circumstances to Greater
Manchester Police on
101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Wendy Warburton
PCSO 65374
J Div. East NPT
Marple & High Lane
Greater Manchester Police
0161 427 0115
Ext: 69792
Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/@GMPStockEast