SEPTEMBER Cyber Scam Newsletter
In this month's edition, we're raising awareness of pension scams, fraudulent bank texts, the danger of counterfeit online goods and delivery scams!
Warwickshire Trading Standards has recently begun to receive more complaints from young people about bogus photographic/modelling agencies. These businesses, who often advertise on social media, claim to be able to get their clients modelling jobs.
The agencies offer to create a portfolio of photographs for their clients in return for payments which can total several thousand pounds.
Young people are often drawn in by being offered a few photos for a low price, before being pressured in to signing a contract for a vastly more expensive portfolio.
However, having paid their money, clients have claimed that the modelling jobs never materialise and that they are simply fobbed off.
TOP TIPS
- Always do research into an agency before you reply to any communications. Look for a phone number, website, UK postal address and what other people have said about the agency online
- Alert your bank if there is any risk of money being taken out of your account
- Make sure you report any scam or bogus agency to Warwickshire Trading Standards (details below).
Warwickshire Trading Standards
- Make a scam/rogue trader complaint to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.
- Avoid rogue traders. Use Warwickshire Trading Standards No Rogue Traders Here approved trader scheme.
