Denbighshire’s Trading Standards Manager, Gary Sumner, is urging both businesses and consumers to be on their guard against unsolicited phone calls and faxes from conmen out to fraudulently obtain money.
We have received complaints from Denbighshire businesses and members of the public concerning the scams such as the ones below:
Trade Mark Registration: A local business received an official looking fax reminding them that a trade mark registration owned by the business was coming up for renewal. The business does have a trade mark which is registered in the UK with IPO (The Intellectual Property Office).
The renewal reminder was in fact from a private business, The Intellectual Property Agency Ltd, who are not registered as a company in the UK. Two addresses they use in London appear to be accommodation addresses and their website www.intellectualpropertyagency.org is registered to a company in the Seychelles.
Complaints about this company have been received elsewhere in the UK, following businesses returning the signed reminder confirming renewal of the trade mark. The firm has then sent out invoices demanding payment for sums in excess of £1000 for acting as an agent in arranging the trade mark renewal. The actual trade mark renewal fee with IPO is about £200.
Cllr. Sharon Frobisher, Lead Member for Environment, warned: ”Businesses should be vigilant when receiving unanticipated renewals or demands for payment. They may not always be what they appear.
“Be sure to treat any demand from a company with whom you have never dealt with as suspicious. Don’t send money right away, make enquiries with Trading Standards – they are there to help.”
Another scam is Advance Payment Request: Some members of the public have received unsolicited telephone calls in connection with obtaining finance and other banking services.
The callers provide a London telephone number and request advance payments from £85 up to £600 to provide the service. Instructions are given to the consumer for advance payments to be made in cash by money transfer using ‘Western Union’ or ‘Moneygram’. The payments are made to India and the name of a person is provided for collection. Once the transaction has been made, the money transfer reference number is given by telephone to the caller, which enables collection of the cash in India. The consumer then finds that no services are provided and the caller and those in receipt of the money are untraceable or ask for a further payment due to a ‘problem with the application’.
Sky TV Service Plans: Members of the public have received unsolicited telephone calls offering service plans to cover the repair of Sky TV decoder equipment.
The callers either deliberately say they are from Sky or fail to say who they represent, but give the impression that they are from Sky, when actually they have nothing to do with BSKYB. Consumers are asked to pay an upfront fee over the telephone which is believed to be an annual fee. A few weeks later they find that a direct debit has been set up on a debit or credit card account.
These callers may be operating a scam or are offering a service which may not be what was described over the phone and the cost may turn out to be much greater than expected.
Members of the public should never give personal information or banking details to unsolicited callers. If you receive an unexpected call, never make an advance payment by any method unless you have taken steps to make sure the company is genuine and the payment is necessary. These steps should include asking for a phone number so that you can return their call and confirm they exist. Ask for the name of the Company and the name of the caller.
With Christmas just around the corner, the activities of these companies will increase. If you want a loan seek guidance from your bank, building society or credit union. If you believe you need a service contract for a home appliance, contact the supplier or identify a reputable company who provide that type of service. Get the details in writing before entering into a contract. Do not opt for what sounds a bargain, it often is not.
If you require any further information on the above, or any trading standards issue, please contact Denbighshire Trading Standards Section at Russell House, Rhyl, on 01824 -706057
