Author: Fraser Pithie

Please DO NOT be fooled by Council tax Phone Calls

Warwickshire Trading Standards has received reports that fraudsters are making unexpected (cold) phone calls to Warwickshire residents, claiming that they are calling from the resident’s local district or borough council offices and stating that the resident is owed a refund on their council tax. The fraudster then asks for the resident’s debit or credit card details, so that the ‘refund’ can be paid on to the card or into their account.

Trading Standards Officers suspect that these bogus phone calls are being made now as new council tax bills for 2019/20 will shortly be sent to residents.

THESE CALLS ARE FALSE AND A SCAM

NEVER provide your bank or debit/credit card details to any cold callers, no matter who they claim to be. You could have money stolen from your bank account.

 

If you think a call is genuine, phone the organisation back using a publicly advertised telephone number. Use a different phone or wait a few minutes to ensure the previous caller has hung up.

If you look after vulnerable or elderly persons or relatives please make them aware NOT to provide any personal details.

Local Authorities DO NOT telephone people about “Council Tax Refunds”.

 

1) For more Trading Standards email alerts, visit: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/allscamalerts
2) Make a scam/rogue trader complaint to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.

3) Avoid rogue traders. Use Warwickshire Trading Standards No Rogue Traders Here approved trader scheme, visit https://www.noroguetradershere.com/

BURGLARY

Please be aware that between Friday 22 February and Tuesday 5 March 2019 offenders have scaled a flat roof and forced a rear window off its hinges to enter a property at Oaks Road, Kenilworth. Once inside the offenders made an untidy search of the upstairs and stole a number of items of value including jewellery.

 
This is incident 433 of 5 March 2019

 

ATTEMPTED BURGLARY
Please be aware that between 09.00hrs and 14.45hrs on Tuesday 5 March 2019 offenders have smashed a window by trying to force a window frame at a property at Knowle Hill, Kenilworth.

 
This is incident 244 of 5 March 2019

If you think that you may have seen or heard anything suspicious or have any information about either of these incidents then please contact Warwickshire Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

ATTEMPTED BURGLARY

Please be aware that around 19.00hrs on Tuesday 26 February offenders smashed the rear kitchen window of a property at Willoughby Avenue, Kenilworth but did not gain access to the property which was alarmed.

This is incident 111 of 27 February 2019

THEFT

Please be aware that between 14.30hrs and 18.45hrs on Saturday 2 March 2019 offenders have stolen the vehicle registration plates from a red Ford KA motor vehicle parked at Clinton Lane, Kenilworth.

This is incident 374 of 2 March 2019

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

Kenilworth residents are advised to remain vigilant and review their home and vehicle security. At around 01.30hrs on Monday 4 March 2019 three males dressed in hoodies were witnessed acting suspiciously around motor vehicles in the Priorsfield Road area of Kenilworth.

This is incident 48 of 4 March 2019

If you think you may have heard or seen anything suspicious or have any information about either of these incidents then please contact Warwickshire Police on 101.

ATTEMPTED BURGLARY

Please be aware that between 01.30hrs and 02.00hrs offenders have attempted to break into commercial premises situated on Warwick Road, Kenilworth by drilling through a rear wall and punching loosened bricks out onto the floor. Alarm systems operated and offenders did not gain access and made off.

 
This is incident 25 of 22 February 2019

 

CRIMINAL DAMAGE/VEHICLE INTERFERENCE

Between 15.00hrs on Thursday 21 February and 07.45hrs on Friday 22 February 2019 offenders have stolen the glass and parts from a set of wing mirrors belonging to black VW Polo parked at Brookside Avenue, Kenilworth.

 

This is incident 61 of 22 February 2019

 
If you think you may have seen or heard anything suspicious or have any information about either of these incidents then please contact Warwickshire Police on 101 or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111