'Safe Account' Scam

Beware of receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be calling from your bank, or from police fraud investigators.

The bogus caller states there is an issue with the victim's bank account and advises them to move their money to a ‘safe account’. The victim will often be told that bank staff are suspected of being involved in a fraud which deters them from seeking advice in their local branch. Often the victims have no reason to doubt the fraudsters as they appear to know the victims personal details. The fraudsters will urge victims to act quickly.

Your bank and the police will never ask you to transfer your money into a ‘safe account’. If you receive such a phone call, end the call immediately.

DVLA email scam

Be wary of an email scam claiming that your recent online car tax payment has failed. The email threatens the driver could be fined £1000 if they do not rectify the alleged issue immediately. The scam features DVLA branding and provides a link for the driver to enter their banking details.

The DVLA would never contact you by email or text. Drivers are reminded to only use the gov.uk website when dealing with car tax matters.

Heritage Walks

Thank you to all those who took part in the Heritage Walks led by Robert Swain.  These were to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the opening of the Lancaster Canal from Preston right through to Kendal, and were under the auspices of the Bolton-le-Sands Parish Council.  Amazingly, none of the walks had to be cancelled owing to bad weather, although it was a close run thing one day as there was a thunderstorm not very long before the walk was due to start, but two stalwart ladies turned up for it, so it took place.

Robert was delighted at how many people came on the walks in total, far more than he had expected, and he considered them a great success.  The collections at the end of each walk raised a grand total of £199.86 for Lancaster Canal Trust.  In addition, there was a generous donation for Canal & River Trust for their work on the Lancaster Canal.

The assorted dogs that came on the walks seemed to enjoy them as well!

Health Recovery Advisory Resilience Information

Come and meet HARRI near you!

HARRI is a health and wellbeing engagement vehicle, with it advisers are able to travel around Lancashire to talk with the local communities and individuals.

On board:

· They engage with you; to share their ideas and plans for the future and to gain insight into what your needs are.

· They offer simple signposting, advice and guidance to offer the right help at the right time in the right place for you.

On board there will be a mixed group from within the NHS and beyond, which will enable them to offer you a wide range of information on many of the issues you may be facing, such as debt, quit smoking, diabetic DESMOND, Steady On, sleep difficulties, and much more. The vehicle includes a private consulting area with disabled access.

People can visit HARRI at various locations and events throughout the year in Lancashire. It will be at Morecambe Carnival on Saturday 10th August from 10.00am until 6.00pm.

HARRI is one of the many ways Lancashire Care NHS Foundation is using to reach out to communities to promote positive aspects of mental health and wellbeing.

Drivers Beware!

Illegal and irresponsible parking.  Over recent weeks, the number of people parking outside school seems to be on the increase.  The school receives regular complaints from other road users, local residents and parents of children about this and so now the school have taken the decision that any car parked on the yellow zig-zag area will be photographed and the enforcement authorities informed.  This is a criminal offence so please please think before you park!

Gardeners Cold Calling

Reports have been received of a van going door to door in the Lytham St Annes area offering gardening work or asking if any odd jobs need doing. Unfortunately a resident in Lytham took them up on their offer, after minimal work was completed the consumer was driven to the bank (in the van) and asked to pay over a very large sum of money.

Other reports in the same area indicate gardeners advertising via a flyer, again minimal work done for a large amount of cash. Be wary of using flyers.

Trading Standards advice is to always say no to cold callers. The Safetrader scheme can help you find a trader in your area, contact 0303 333 1111 or go to www.safetrader.org.uk

Consumer Alerts.

Health Lottery Scam

Lancashire residents have been receiving a scam letter claiming they have won £425,000 with a claim deadline of the end of the month. The letter advises the claimant to call an 0122 number between 9am-5pm, Mon to Fri it looks very convincing and includes the Health Lottery logos. Anyone ringing the number will find they have to hand over bank details and make a payment to reserve their winnings. 

Universal Credit Scam

Beware fraudsters claiming to be able to help you access 'low cost Government loans'. The individual's personal details are used to make a claim for Universal Credit and then a request is made for an 'Advance Payment'. The fraudster takes a cut of the Advance Payment which in some cases is paid immediately by the individual and in others the fraudster returns to collect their fee, once the Advanced Payment has been received.

The individuals being targeted do not realise that this will affect their current benefits and they will have to pay back the loan in full from future Universal Credit entitlement. In some cases, false circumstances are being reported when an application is completed in order to maximise the potential payment. 

Scam call - internet to be cut off

Reports have been received of a telephone caller claiming your internet will be cut off due to non payment. This is a scam aimed at making you panic. The calls have been received at work places and private numbers, including people who do not even have internet access. 

Fraudulent street collection

Shoppers are advised to exercise caution when donating to street collectors after reports were received of a man and woman operating a street collection in Burnley for people with autism. When challenged, they claim to be registered at a non-existent address in Blackpool, and gave a false Community Interest Company number. Best advice is to only donate to charities you have heard of and believe in. If trading on the street, collectors should have a street collection licence from the district council that they will be able to show you. If trading door to door, they should have a house to house collection licence 

Trading Standards advice is to always say no to cold callers. 

The Safetrader scheme can help you find a trader in your area, contact 0303 333 1111 or go to www.safetrader.org.uk.  Contact the Trading Standards Service via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06