Spring Park Neighbourhood Watch

Information

Last updated 10th February 2012

Digital Switchover Scam

This week (10th February) has seen the first reported instance of a scam engineer calling to check TVs regarding the digital changeover. Two elderly ladies in Wickham Road received a call just before 6pm. The man said he had an appointment with them. Wisely, they refused him entry. He did not give up and then gave his mobile number for them to call him back when ready to see him. One of the ladies did call him back and asked for his company name, all he would say was “I am the engineer”.

The Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator became involved and rang Digital Switchover on 0800 40 85 900 to check. The company had no record of an appointment. They have now made a definite appointment quoting a reference number and agreed a password with the resident.

Digital will never call on a resident without an appointment being made. Please keep an eye on your vulnerable neighbours.

Croydon Trading Standards - Information Network Bulletin - Winter 2011

Welcome to the latest edition of the Information Network Bulletin brought to you by
Croydon Council Trading Standards Team.
It includes details of some of the latest scams and fraud alerts that we have become aware
of in recent months.

[View Bulletin ...]

Phone Fruadsters Target The Elderly

An elderly Croydon resident has been targeted by telephone fraudsters in recent weeks.

In this instance, an old lady with dementia received a call to say that she had won a large
sum of money and that someone would be calling around with the cheque. They required
an administrative charge for this of £1,600 in cash.

The telephone number given, although appearing to be a London number, was routed
abroad. When the lady’s son turned up, they called to say that they would be cancelling the
appointment. The caller gave his name as Mr Ashcroft and a number 020 3318 6746.
The importance of watching out for vulnerable elatives, neighbours and friends can’t be over-
emphasised in these instances. If you have any concerns about a close relative or neighbour, the nominated neighbour scheme is an excellent method for dealing with unwanted callers.

Details can be found in the Croydon Doorstep pack or by calling trading standards on
020 8407 1311 (www.tradingstandards.gov.uk)

Croydon Trading Standards No Cold Call Zone

Following consultation with local residents and other interested parties Shirley and Norbury residents agreed to set up local no cold calling zones as a way of reducing the number of bogus caller and rogue trader offences in their areas.

While this type of offence is still relatively rare the impact of being tricked and losing your money can be very serious. As most people who call at your home are genuine we do not ask you to turn away genuine callers such as election canvassers or legitimate door-to-door envelope collectors for well known charities.

However, a number of callers who turn up unannounced will try very hard to trick their way into your home to steal, or to get you to agree to household and garden work being done, that you do not need, and may be very poorly carried out.

Experiences in areas where similar schemes operate have found that by giving everyone the confidence to say 'No - I don't buy at the door' can protect the more vulnerable people in your road.

We put together a resident's pack full of useful information. It also helps you to find reputable businesses, and gives tips and advice on how to say 'no' with confidence.

Signs have also been put up on lamp posts to alert callers that rogues are not welcome in the zone. Click here to view The Shirley No Call Zone.

If you live in the roads covered by the Shirley or Norbury zones and would like a resident's pack then please contact Croydon Trading Standards.

Croydon Trading Standards Contact Details
Telephone	020 8407 1311
Fax	020 8760 5786
Minicom	020 8760 5797
Email	tradingstandards.webrequest@croydon.gov.uk
Address	Access Croydon Taberner House Park Lane Croydon CR9 3BT

Keep Warm but Keep Safe

The government are encouraging energy companies to get their customers to improve the
insulation in their homes. Many companies are doing this by offering grants if you have your loft or walls insulated by them.

However, rogues are aware of this and are jumping on the bandwagon, calling on people at home saying that they are from the energy companies, or even the council, and that they are offering grants for insulation. They will usually try to gain access to your loft there and then to carry out a survey. Whilst you accompany one to the loft, the other has access to your belongings. So be warned. Companies working with the Council will send out letters in advance to announce that the company will be calling in your area; also, their operators work alone, not in pairs.

If you want to find out about grants to insulate your home, contact your energy provider and ask what they can offer. That way you are in control of who calls on you and when, so you won’t get caught off guard.

Call in Time

Age UK Call in Time Call in Time - A free telephone friendship service
Call in Time is a free telephone frienship service run by Age UK since 2005. It has matched hundreds of older people with trained and supported volunteers who, together, enjoy a weekly phone chat about anything from the weather to hobbies to what's been going on in both their lives. Click here for more information.