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Criminals are targeting Instagram users with fraudulent investment schemes.

In just the last week two Suffolk residents have reported being duped by scammers on the platform. One was encouraged to invest into a Bitcoin Investment scheme in which they would get a quick return on the investment of £80. The other paid £500 into what they thought was a cryptocurrency investment scheme.

In both instances, as soon as the money was paid the scammer blocked the victims so that no further contact could be made.

Fraudsters approach (or are approached by) victims via the instant messaging feature of the platform after advertising their service. They claim to only require an initial investment of a few hundred pounds which they say will be used to trade on the stock market or to buy and trade foreign currency (Forex) until they have multiplied the investment several times within a matter of days which is paid to the victim after a small commission is deducted for the service.

In reality, once the initial investment has been transferred the victim is given a series of excuses as to why their money and ‘profits’ cannot be returned unless more money is sent. Eventually all contact is severed and the victim is blocked by the suspect. Victims are usually requested to send the money by bank transfer or through a cryptocurrency platform which means it is nearly impossible to retrieve

Whilst individual financial losses from this fraud are comparably smaller than other types of fraudulent investment schemes, this fraud targets a younger demographic, typically aged between 20 and 30, with less savings or those who are financially vulnerable and are searching for a quick and easy way to make money.

Spot the signs and protect yourself!

Unsolicited offers: A common tactic used by criminals is to promote “investment” opportunities via social media accounts, promising large returns from a small up-front payment. Never respond to any requests to send money, or have money transferred through your account, by someone you don’t know and trust.

Investment opportunities: Don’t be rushed into making an investment. Remember, legitimate organisations will never pressure you into making a transaction on the spot.

Seek advice first: Speak with a trusted friend or family members, and seek independent professional advice before making significant financial decisions.

FCA register: Use the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) register to check if the company is regulated by the FCA. If you deal with a firm (or individual) that isn’t regulated, you may not be covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) if things go wrong and you lose your money.

 
The UK has warned of the threat from targeted spear-phishing campaigns against organisations and individuals carried out by cyber actors based in Russia and Iran.

Spear-phishing involves an attacker sending malicious links, for example via email, to specific targets in order to try to induce them to share sensitive information.

The attacks are not aimed at the general public but targets in specified sectors, including academia, defence, government organisations, NGOs, think-tanks, as well as politicians, journalists and activists.

In an advisory published today, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – a part of GCHQ – shared details about the techniques and tactics used by the attackers as well as mitigation advice to combat the continuing threat.

The advisory recommends organisations and individuals remain vigilant to approaches and follow the mitigation advice to protect their online accounts from compromise.

Contact may initially appear benign as the attacker looks to gain targets’ trust and build a rapport, before using typical phishing tradecraft to share malicious links that can lead to credential theft and onward compromise.

If individuals or organisations in the identified sectors recognise the specific and targeted activity described in the advisory, they should report this to the NCSC.

The advisory includes the following advice to mitigate the spear-phishing activity:

- Use strong and separate passwords for your email account
- Turn on multi-factor authentication (also known as 2-step verification, or 2SV)
- Protect your devices and networks by keeping them up to date
- Exercise vigilance
- Enable your email providers’ automated email scanning features
- Disable mail-forwarding
 

We’ve had reports that Nottingham Knockers were calling at properties in Brantham this week, with one resident advising that the person calling at their door became aggressive when they refused to buy from them.

They may still be in the area, or could have moved on elsewhere in the County.

These individuals are claiming to have been in prison and are on a youth offending scheme, attempting to mend their ways. The individuals go on to then try and sell the householder everyday household products at very high prices.

Trading Standards always advise residents to refrain from buying at the doorstep and not to buckle to pressure from salespeople offering supposedly one-off ‘buy it now’ low prices.

These Nottingham Knockers work in groups across the country but they are not involved in any officially recognised offender rehabilitation programme and many do not possess Pedlar’s Certificates, which are issued by police.

If you are approached at the door, please refuse to buy.

Report all doorstep callers to us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.

 

The cost-of-living crisis is making 2023 a harder year financially, putting more people under pressure. In fact, 71% currently have less disposable income compared to an average month before the crisis. There are scammers out there looking to make it even harder. Loan fee fraud is an increasingly common scam, where people as asked to pay an upfront fee but then never receive the loan.

Now, it’s even more important to take a moment if you are looking for a loan.

Pause and do the 3-step check before you make any decision and avoid the scammers.

Cold called?
Asked to pay an upfront fee?
Pressured to pay quickly or unusually?


Tick any of these? STOP
Protect yourself from loan fee fraud.

 

The Import Surveillance team at Suffolk Trading Standards have detained a a consignment of mixed products, all found to be unsafe. The goods were due to be be delivered to a fulfilment warehouse in Northampton and sold on eBay. All listing have now been removed.

The consignment included 192 facial guns, 192 manicure and pedicure sets, 2 nail lamps, 4 induction cookers and 38 heat lamps.

The facial guns and nail lamps pose a risk of electric shock resulting from detached wires. There is also a risk of overheating due to the inadequately sized plug pins.

The manicure and pedicure sets posed a risk of fire due to overheating as well as non compliant fuses in the plug.

The induction hobs pose a risk to injury. The plug on the product did not comply with BS1363 as it had not been fitted with a fuse complying with BS1362.

The heat lamps pose a risk of electric shock. The plug attached to the lamp is counterfeit and did not comply with the Plugs and Socket Regulations 1994.

In addition to all the above safety failures the products were not marked with the required type, batch, serial number or other element allowing its identification. They were not marked with the name or address of the manufacturer or importer, and no instructions were available for the products.

The importer failed to provide a Declaration of Conformity for each of the products. They also failed to provide any test certificates.

The importer is responsible for ensuring that all the products comply with product safety legislation. It is a criminal offence to supply an unsafe or non-compliant product.

If you are an importer of toys, electrical goods, electric scooters or cosmetics or Import Surveillance team have produced guidance in English and Chinese:

https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/ImportingToys
https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/ImportingElectricalGoods
https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/ImportingEscooters
https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/ImportingCosmetics

If you have purchased a product that you think may be unsafe, stop using it immediately and report it to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.

 

1 in 4 of us is considering secondhand appliances for our home.

It’s important to register any secondhand buys at https://www.registermyappliance.org.uk/registration/ so you can be found if there’s a safety recall. It’s free and easy to do so

 

 

Tesco is recalling Tesco Creamfields Grated Cheddar because it may contain small pieces of plastic, making it unsafe to eat.

Pack size 500g
Best before 23 March 2023

If you have bought the above product, do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund, no receipt is required. If you would like any further information, please contact Tesco Customer Services on 0800 505 555.

 
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