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| Dear Kent Residents
This week we are asking Kent resident to be alert to a new scam for purchasing gift cards. Scammers are impersonating friends and family members in emails, asking for them to purchase gift cards on their behalf as they are either short of money or having problems with their online banking. This is a scam and if you receive an email or text like this and have any doubts, contact the person using a known phone number to verify the request’s authenticity. Please continue to warn friends and family.
For the latest scams alerts as we receive them please add us on Instagram or Facebook.
Kind regards
Victim Safeguarding Officer |
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| Kent residents to stay alert to new fake DPD delivery scam.
⛔ This scam involves criminals stealing bank details from one person and the address of a second person to order items online. They order the items using the stolen bank details and track the parcel to the address of the second person.
This is a scam.
Once the parcel has been delivered they impersonate a DPD driver and knock on the door, explaining that it’s an incorrect delivery. As the person didn’t make the order they are likely to give it to the scammer.
For advice and to report contact Citizens Advice on consumer helpline 0808 223 1133 or report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. |
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| Kent Police report of a new gift card scam
We’ve received reports of a concerning scam targeting Kent residents. Scammers impersonate your friends or family members in emails, asking you to purchase gift cards on their behalf as they are either short of money or having problems with their online banking.
This is a scam.
If you receive such an email and have doubts, contact the person using a known phone number to verify the authenticity. Remember the Kent Police fraud awareness message: Never Assume, Never Believe, Always CONFIRM.
If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, contact your Bank immediately, you can do this by calling 159. Report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. |
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| ⛔ Criminals are cold calling Kent residents, impersonating their mobile phone service providers. They offer attractive mobile phone upgrades with lower monthly contracts that do not actually exist. The scam works by the residents agreeing to the new contract and giving the fraudster their personal and financial details. With this information, scammers place orders for different phones with genuine providers, using the victim’s information.
This is a scam.
Once the phone is delivered to the victim’s address, the criminals contact them, claiming the wrong phone was delivered and arranging to collect it. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Avoid sharing personal information with unexpected callers, ignore unsolicited offers, and consult legitimate phone providers for upgrades.
If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159. Report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. |
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| Kent resident lost money to online copycat website scam
❌ A resident paid for an item on a website only to find a few hours later their debit card was used for online transactions they hadn’t made. The money had been taken from their account but they never received the item paid for.
❎ Always make sure you are on the official website
❎ Check the website address – look out for spelling differences
❎ Get Safe Online says some scammers are using website tools to achieve high positions in search engines, often ranking them higher than the official site and making it appear as though they are an ‘authorised’ website.
Read more
For advice and to report contact Citizens Advice on consumer helpline 0808 223 1133. |
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| Did you know that fake toys often have toxic chemicals?
One of the most common toxic metals found in counterfeit toys is lead. Lead exposure is particularly dangerous for children, as their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to lead’s harmful effects.
Fake toys are also made with low-quality materials which often contain loose parts or sharp edges. Giving fake toys to children could have serious consequences, and could lead to choking, burns, damage to hearing, or even strangulation.
If you have information about fake products, tell CrimeStoppers what you know. You stay 100% anonymous. Always. No one will know you’ve spoken up, but what you tell us could make a big difference. Speak up here |
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To report scams and get advice on consumer issues call Citizen’s Advice consumer helpline on
0808 223 1133. |
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If you have information on doorstep criminals, counterfeit, fake or illegal goods, illicit tobacco, loan sharks or those selling restricted items to underage kids, call the charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 |
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| Trading Standards Checked carries out checks on traders so customers can have peace of mind when choosing a tradesperson to do work in their home.
Please help to keep your family and community safe. If you need work done in your home or garden, visit the website to find a safe local tradesperson. |
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