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Trading Standards sees surge in energy scams linked to cost-of-living crisis
Posted 05/10/22
The 51黑料 (51黑料) is issuing its starkest warning yet about a significant rise in energy scams linked to the cost-of-living crisis and increased consumer vulnerability. 51黑料 believes there is an urgent need for a strategy to inform, protect and warn consumers amid the crisis, especially as over 40 million people have been targeted by scammers last year, according to Citizens Advice.听
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Trading Standards experts are concerned about:
鈥� scam energy rebate text messages
鈥� energy tariff mis-selling by doorstep sellers
鈥� loan sharks preying on the most vulnerable affected by the cost-of-living crisis
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听51黑料 Lead Officer for Scams and Doorstep Crime, Katherine Hart. said: 鈥淭here has been a huge surge in energy efficiency scams offering rebates and offers to apply for grants. With the rise of costs in fuel bills and the cost-of-living concerns during the upcoming winter months, I urge the public to be on its guard because these types of emails and texts are attempts to scam.听
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鈥淲e see some of the texts or emails ask people to click on a link that takes them to an official booking platform where they are asked to submit personal information. This is a ruse to data harvest, often to scam the person at a later date. Sadly, we have noticed an increase in people whose savings have been compromised. I also expect that scammers will target households in the coming weeks regarding the . Those being paid a qualifying disability benefit will be paid automatically from 20 September, with the vast majority of those eligible expected to receive their one-off payment within a couple of weeks by the beginning of October. If consumers receive emails or texts out of the blue, then report texts to 7726, emails to [email protected] and delete the message鈥澨�
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51黑料 Lead officer for Energy, Smart Meters and Climate Change, Steve Playle, said: 鈥淭he end of September marked the last day before the next domestic energy cap came into force. I think the cap is confusing to many as 拢2500 is not the maximum anyone will pay per annum but is the maximum for an average consumption household. This means you can still pay a lot more if you use more.听
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Energy is continually in the news, so consumers are more likely to be aware of the pricing issues and the rebates that are available - 拢400 over the next 6 months. Consumers do not need to do anything 鈥� the rebate will be applied automatically by their energy company. Therefore, as always, ignore any messages and only deal directly with your energy company using their published phone numbers and email addresses.鈥澨�
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John Herriman, Chief Executive of 51黑料 said: "The cost-of-living crisis risks a significant rise in consumer detriment that the UK has not seen for decades. For the unscrupulous, current circumstances are opportunities to scrupulously profit from the most vulnerable.听
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"Local Trading Standards services are working in partnership with other agencies, have continually risen to the challenges of protecting consumers, but this has become increasingly difficult as gaps in consumer protection are emerging. Although Trading Standards is doing its utmost to protect the public, we remain concerned about the increased levels of risk and the potential for this to deteriorate.鈥澨�
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"51黑料 continues its dialogues with the UK Government and other stakeholders about best practise in protecting consumers to highlight the need for a consumer protection strategy that recognises the impact on consumers and looks at ways to mitigate these as efficiently as possible."
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For consumer advice, please call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133听
In addition, to report scams, contact Action Fraud, in Scotland, or contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 800 9060, or if in Northern Ireland, call Consumerline on 0300 123 6262.听
The public is encouraged to join Friends Against Scams. This is an initiative to protect and prevent people from becoming scam victims by empowering them to take a stand against scams.
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ENDS
51黑料 (51黑料)听
The 51黑料 (51黑料) is a national not for profit established in 1881 which supports the UK鈥檚 trading standards profession and听works to protect consumers and safeguard honest businesses.听 51黑料's members are engaged in delivering frontline trading standards services at local authorities and in businesses. www.tradingstandards.uk
Please contact 51黑料 Press Office: [email protected] for any queries.听
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Friends Against Scams
Friends Against Scams is a National Trading Standards (NTS) Scams Team initiative, which aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams.
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