[PPT] - Kingston and Sutton Shared Environment Service Page 9 Trading PowerPoint Presentation

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Kingston and Sutton Shared Environment Service Trading Standards Sutton Local Committee Presentation

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Trading Standards Who are we?

Trading Standards are part of The Kingston and Sutton Shared Environment Service working across Sutton and Kingston.

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Trading Standards What is our aim?

To protect our most vulnerable and elderly residents from becoming victims

f crime.

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Elderly / vulnerable resident are most likely to become victims of: Scams Prize draws Telephone scams Rogue traders Bogus callers Criminal Damage Distraction Burglary

The problem

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What can we do?

Raise an awareness of scams and

doorstep crime, we aim to protect our residents from becoming victims.

Take enforcement action against the

rogues and scammers when possible.

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What we can’t do!

Respond immediately to every single complaint or incident that we become aware of. Prosecute every rogue trader. Prevent all our residents from becoming victims Save the world!!!!!

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What we can do together?

Keep our eyes and ears open when we meet vulnerable or elderly neighbours and residents. Report serious concerns in respect of their ability to handle their everyday finances to the Police Action Fraud Social Services or Trading Standards Join Neighbourhood Watch

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Scams

Scams are schemes to con you out of your

money. The scammers are clever and all

kinds of people from all walks of life get duped. Fraudsters can be very convincing so it’s important to stay vigilant

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Types of Scams

Phishing – fake emails that look genuine

they will harvest your personal details

Pyramid Schemes - get rich quick
Lottery Scams – you’re a winner!
Ticketing websites - bogus tickets
Racing tipster – the service doesn’t exist
Missed call scams – keep you on the line

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Types of Scams

Prize draw scams
Foreign money scams
Clairvoyant and psychic scams
Investment scams
Homeworking scams
Miracle cure / slimming pills
Bogus holiday clubs

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What you can do to help

See what the conman would see: Is the garden over grown? (good indicator of possible victim) House in poor condition – windows, driveways, roof, piles of rubbish? Parcels containing unwanted goods delivered by post?

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What you can do to help?

When visiting neighbours and residents, be aware of what else may be going on. Look out for piles of letters, special offers and prize draws which may be scams. Watch out for shoddy building work being done. Ask questions

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Scams – what are we doing about it?

We are working in partnership with Adult Social Services, the Police, the postal industry and Trading Standards Officers across the UK developing a strategy to identify the silent victims

f telephone and mailing scams.

Supporting victims Targeting mass mailing fraudsters Raising the awareness of scams with partners and through publicity and events across the borough

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Cheque Book Sticker

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Phone Sticker

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Distraction Burglary

The main offenders: Uninvited Coldcallers/Bogus Tradesmen An elderly person’s life savings could disappear

.........and cut short their LIFE.

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A family of offenders: the Brazils Conspiracy to obtain £55,000 by deception from brain-injured man.

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Distraction burglary: £840 taken from victim’s bank account using her cashpoint card, stolen from her home… …The brothers had previously conned the victim out of £50 by claiming she had “dangerously loose” roof tiles. Aaron & James VINCENT, each jailed for 30 months

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BUT BEWARE :

Cold Callers who make uninvited visits to your neighbours may well be committing Trading Standards offences, as well as more serious Police matters such as Fraud, Criminal Damage and Blackmail– EVEN WHERE WORK APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT

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The offenders will usually use false names, false addresses, pre-pay mobiles, 0800 numbers glossy fliers (accommodation addresses phone lines), incorrectly-registered vehicles…

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…So when it goes wrong, there is no realistic prospect

f ‘Civil’ recovery.

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But it’s not just about money.

The impact of these crimes on such elderly victims can sometimes be enough

to kill them…

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Repeat targeting of a 78yr old man, including being driven to the bank to withdraw cash. The victim was so ashamed that he attempted suicide.

£10,000

For this bodged windowsill at London Road, Staines

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£5000 obtained by deception. Targeting by offender Believed to have contributed to victim’s death.

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So how do these cons work?

Targets: usually the elderly & vulnerable Persuasive, with plausible stories Cheap initial prices quoted Inability of victims to verify need for work to be done (e.g. climbing ladders) Befriending victims over many weeks or months

More…

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So how do these cons work?

The offenders create fear of the consequences of not having the work done Prey on loneliness of victims Often don’t give victims a choice – they just turn up and start digging Exploit enforcers’ confusion re status

f the crime (“Sorry, it’s Civil ”)

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And what happens afterwards?

Victim feels shame & embarrassment No traceability - so no civil redress If the victim pays: Repeat Targeting If the victim refuses to pay:

Intimidation & Harassment…
Threats of violence & damage…

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What are Trading Standards doing about it

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Trading Standards receive reports from:

the Public the Police Banks/Building Societies via the Sutton Banking Protocol Citizens Advice consumer service Adult Social Services

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…About uninvited builders/conmen

(esp. roofers, tarmac, pavers, tree surgeons…)

Charging extortionate prices… Usually to vulnerable victims… For unnecessary, poor quality work… Aggressive practices ……..

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So what do Trading Standards do?

Doorstep crime related incidents are

investigated by Trading Standards Officers.

Trading standards have the power to

prosecute where necessary

Reassure and advise residents
Advise reputable traders on the law

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Safer Sutton Trader Scheme

A list of reputable traders checked and vetted by Trading Standards Officers

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Door stickers

Thousands of door stickers have been distributed to warn traders not to call at homes uninvited

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Cold Call Control Zones

Work in partnership with police and residents associations NHW to set an area where cold callers are not welcome

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Bank Protocol

Partnership with police to train front line bank staff to recognise when large amounts of cash withdrawn to pay rogue traders and report to police and trading standards

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ASSH Housing Partnerships & Trading Standards Working Together

Protection for the elderly / vulnerable Joint co-operation / investigation Information sharing / intelligence Contacts with residents Presentations

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Any questions?

Trading Standards can be contacted by calling the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06

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