Westminster Park Residents Association

Please be on your guard as residents in Northwich and Winsford have recently received elaborate money-scam letters.
Over the course of the last week, a number of residents have received letters purporting to be from an Asian finance company trading as Kexim Asia inviting the recipient to invest in the company and/or informing them that they are to be in receipt of funds as a result of a family death. ( There are also other similar letters in circulation from China and the Far East. )

The letters are in fact an elaborate hoax in an attempt to fraudulently obtain the personal details and personal banking details of the recipient.
Thankfully, as far as we are aware the recipients of these communications have had the presence of mind to recognise that this is a scam and to report it to police, however our concern is that the more vulnerable or elderly residents may fall prey to a scam such as this.
We would urge anyone who has had communications of this type to disregard the content and report it to Police. Any advice regarding matters of this nature can be sought from your local police, Trading Standards and Citizens Advice Bureau.

Please share this information widely, especially with any vulnerable neighbours.

Cheshire Constabulary Western Watch Office supports Home Watch Schemes across Chester, Ellesmere Port, Neston and Vale Royal, and is based in the Western Partnership Office, Northwich Police Station.       Telephone 01606 364291

TO CONTACT THE POLICE CALL   101

IF YOU WISH TO PASS INFORMATION VIA AN INDEPENDENT ANONYMOUS SOURCE YOU CAN
CALL CRIME STOPPERS ON 0800 555 111, OR E MAIL www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Many pharmacies offer repeat prescription collection schemes and patients can nominate a pharmacy to collect prescriptions on their behalf as part of this service.

It has come to the attention of Trading Standards via our Adult Safeguarding Team that an individual claiming to be a pharmacy representative has been attempting to order and collect prescriptions from GP practices without patient consent.

Some prescriptions have been dispensed in pharmacies other than the patient’s nominated or usual pharmacy and it appears that a number of these prescriptions have not been delivered to the patient at all.

If you are registered to a repeat prescription collection service and have not received your medication, work in a GP Surgery or Pharmacy that has been subject to this fraudulent act then please report to Marilyn Knass or Gail Curphey Pharmacy Leads for NHS Cheshire, Warrington and Wirral on 01606 544421

Residents are reminded to remain vigilant at all times. Please pass this information to family members, friends, neighbours and anyone you think maybe vulnerable.

For general consumer advice ring Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/
Cheshire Constabulary Western Watch Office supports Home Watch Schemes across Chester, Ellesmere Port, Neston and Vale Royal, and is based in the Western Partnership Office, Northwich Police Station.

TO CONTACT THE POLICE CALL   101 

Trading Standards has received a number of calls from consumers who have been targeted by imposters claiming to be from the Citizens Advice Bureau. The caller claims to be able to help with money worries by offering debt consolidation.

The Bureau has confirmed that no adviser, or anyone connected with the CAB service, would ever phone or text someone out of the blue and ask for bank details.

If you are cold called or get a text that offers you a loan, help dealing with debt problems or claims to be from your bank – it is almost certainly a scam.

Please make sure that you:

• Don’t give or confirm personal information
• Report the call immediately to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.org.uk/report_fraud

If you are facing financial difficulty there are many free credit advice services available for help and advice:

Citizens Advice Bureau: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS): http://www.cccs.co.uk/

Debt Advice Network: www.debtadvicenetwork.org Tel. 0300 011 2340

National Debtline: FREEPHONE 0808 808 4000

Pay Plan: www.payplan.com FREEPHONE 0800 716 239   8am -9pm

For advice on loan scams or any other consumer issues call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/consumer

Telephone Preference Service: You can register your wish not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing telephone calls at www.tpsonline.org.uk or call 0800 398893. It takes 28 days for the service to become effective.

Please pass this information to family, friends, neighbours and anyone you think maybe vulnerable.
Cheshire Constabulary Western Watch Office supports Home Watch Schemes across Chester, Ellesmere Port, Neston and Vale Royal, and is based in the Western Partnership Office, Northwich Police Station.     E-mail  western.watch@cheshire.pnn.police.uk

TO CONTACT THE POLICE CALL   101
IF YOU WISH TO PASS INFORMATION VIA AN INDEPENDENT ANONYMOUS SOURCE YOU CAN
CALL CRIME STOPPERS ON 0800 555 111