New Kent Frauds
Published: 04 August 2020
Kent County Council Public Protection department have alerted us to several new frauds that are circulation in Kent.
Doorstep criminals have been active in Sevenoaks, delivering leaflets offering home repairs and renovations.
What Happens:
• You receive a leaflet offering repairs or maintenance on your home.
• You contact the company and they offer to do some work for you.
• The cost of the work goes up.
• More work is found that needs to be carried out.
• The work is of poor quality and often unnecessary.
What To Do:
• Never respond to cold callers or unsolicited offers of repair work.
• If you need work carried out get 3 quotes.• Ask family and friend for recommendations.
• Find a trader who is Trading Standards Checked or is a member of Checkatrade who is Trading Standards Approved.
Anonymous leaflets containing misleading information about COVID-19 have been received through the letterbox by residents in the Maidstone area. Please be aware that this information is misleading and potentially dangerous. It may lead some people to ignore important advice about symptoms or avoiding infection. We urge you to follow the Government guidance (www.gov.uk/coronavirus)
A Hawkhurst resident has been targeted by a bank scam.
What Happens:
• The resident had a phone call from what they thought was their bank.
• They were told money had been taken from their account.
• They are asked if they would like to help catch the people responsible.
• They are told to go to a shop and buy a voucher, and the bank would put money into their account to cover this.
• They must then give the voucher code to the caller.
• This happened several times over a few days.
• Eventually when the victim went to purchase further vouchers their card was declined due to lack of funds.
• They then called their bank and were told they had been scammed.
What To Do:
• If you get a call from your bank – hang up.
• Check the line is clear and the caller has not stayed on the line, call a friend or family to check.
• Call your bank using the number on your card.
• Your bank will NEVER ask you to purchase vouchers or other items.
• Report to Citizens Advice. Please warn vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours.
A Gravesend resident was targeted by a Sky scam
What Happens:
• The resident gets a telephone call from someone claiming to be from Sky.
• They offer the resident a discount due to their age and the COVID-19 pandemic.
• After giving their bank details they become unsure.
• They call Sky who advises it was not a genuine call but a scam.
• The resident then calls their bank to alert them and are told by their bank to move their money to another account to safeguard it.
• The resident moved over £40,000 to an account he was told to on the telephone call.
What To Do:
• This is a scam.
• Never respond to unexpected or cold calls.
• This scam works because the criminal does not hang up the phone, so when the resident calls Sky and then his bank he is still connected and speaking with the criminals.
• If you think you have fallen for a telephone scam, check the line by dialling and speaking with a family member or friend.
• For advice and to report go online or telephone 0808 223 113. Please warn vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours.
To find out about how scammers may be trying to target you and your family during the Coronavirus pandemic.
We can all be vulnerable to these criminals and the best way to protect yourself is to make sure you are aware. KCC Public protection have created a page that lists scams that are using the Pandemic to target you. www.kentpublicprotection.info/covid19alerts