Be aware of these scams that have been reported in Cambridgeshire:

Fake letter boxes

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has noticed an increase in reports of fraudsters placing fake letter boxes on residential properties in an attempt to harvest the mail. Residents are sometimes unaware of the fake letterbox as the fraudsters will periodically remove the item, which may leave notable markings. The mail is then used to open various lines of credit with financial providers in the name of the innocent resident.

Protect yourself:

• Be vigilant and check for any suspicious activity, tampering of your post/letterbox or for suspicious glue markings on the wall.
• Check all post received from financial institutions, even if it appears unsolicited.
• Consider reporting theft of mail to your local police force and any cases of identity fraud to Action Fraud.
• If you have been a victim of identity fraud consider Cifas Protection Registration (https://www.cifas.org.uk/protective_registration_form)
• If you, or anyone you know, has been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Telephone scam

Cambridgeshire Constabulary has received reports that a telephone scam is operating in the county. The scammers claim they are from service providers, such as Microsoft and TalkTalk, and they need to take control of your computer to fix an issue with it. The fraudsters then offer you a compensation payment for the problem they have just fixed and claim that they have made a payment into your bank, building society or PayPal account. They then inform you they have accidently over paid you and ask that you transfer the money via a money sending service to an individual abroad.

Protect yourself:

Cambridgeshire Constabulary are issuing the following advice:

• If you are not expecting a call it might be a scam, even if the caller or emailer says they are from a legitimate company.
• Hang up and contact the company back, using contact information you have used before or researched on their legitimate website.
• Preferably call them back from another phone.
• Do not use the same phone if the caller has suggested you call them back. This is a different scam altogether where they don’t disconnect the phone line. Click here for more details.
• Never give the caller remote access to your computer by clicking on any links or opening attachments in emails that have been sent to you.
• If you have given remote access to them turn off your router at the mains electric, leave it for 30 seconds and then turn it back on.
• Do not give anyone your full password, pin numbers or bank account details. A legitimate company will not ask for any of these.
• If the scammer claims they have sent you money to your bank account never send money back. Especially if they ask for it to be paid via PayPal or a money sending service.
• Run an up to date anti-virus and anti-spyware program to detect and eradicate any malware and spyware. Alternatively seek help from a trusted vendor.

If you think you have been a victim of a scammer then contact your bank and then report it to Action Fraud on 03001 232 040.

For more information and advice about protecting yourself online visit www.getsafeonline.org.

Property repair payment scam

Fraudsters are targeting members of the public who are expecting to make a payment for property repairs. The fraudsters, via email, will purport to be a tradesman who has recently completed work at the property and use a similar email address to that of the genuine tradesman. They will ask for funds to be transferred via bank transfer and once payment is made the victims of the fraud soon realise they have been deceived when the genuine tradesman requests payment for their services.

Protect yourself:

• Always check the email address is exactly the same as previous correspondence with the genuine contact.
• For any request of payment via email verify the validity of the request with a phone call to the person who carried out the work.
• Check the email for spelling and grammar as these signs can indicate that the email is not genuine.
• Payments via bank transfer offer no financial protection; consider using alternative methods such as a credit card or PayPal which offer some protection and avenue for recompense.

Rogue traders - tree cutting

Huntingdonshire District Council has issued a warning that vulnerable residents have been targeted by cold callers who visit several times, putting pressure on them to pay to have their trees cut. If paid, these rogue traders then cut the tree and illegally abandon the cuttings (e.g. in alleyways), which leaves the residents with a case of fly tipping. If any one knocks at your door offering to do so, please do check to make sure they are genuine. If in doubt don't let them into your home, but gather as much information as safely as possible and phone the Police.

If you wish to report a crime you can call Cambridgeshire Constabulary on 101. Alternatively if you wish to remain anonymous you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Always call 999 in an emergency.

Person pretending to be a Luminus Tradesmen

The Police has advised us that a local resident (non Luminus tenant) was visited by someone pretending to be a Luminus Tradesmen. This person was not wearing a Luminus uniform or carrying any ID. Luminus only carry out repairs to homes they own, will ALWAYS show their ID and will be wearing a Luminus uniform. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of the Tradesmen, please contact us immediately on 0345 850 9994. DO NOT let the person in to your home until you are certain of their identify.

Cambridgeshire County Council fake officers

There have been two scams reported. In the first, someone is phoning residents claiming to be from Cambridgeshire County Council and asking about their recent fall. The person calling tries to engage the resident in conversation with the aim of finding out personal details. Do not give any personal information but ask for their name and tell them you will call them back. Then phone the council's general enquiries line on 0345 045 5200 and ask to be put through to that named officer. 

The second is a rogue trader scam from someone claiming to work for the council's Highways or Streetworks Team. They are approaching residents to say they are doing safety markings in the area and are offering their surplus thermoplastic paint to refresh any markings you may have (for example parish council owned recreation car parks) for a fee. Council officers would never do this. If you receive any approaches of this sort please decline the work, and you can always check the authenticity of one of the council's officers by calling 0345 045 5200. 

For further advice and guidance on scams and rogue traders in the county please see www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/scams.

Motorway scam - Huntingdon

Police have issued a warning over a motorway scam in which well-dressed drivers pretend to run out of fuel and ask for cash in return for worthless gold rings

• At least two incidents have recently been reported in Huntingdon with Luminus staff being approached by ‘scammers’
• "Stranded" men tell motorists a relative has died and they need to get home
• In exchange for the petrol money, conmen offer them worthless jewellery

Men in "immaculate suits" are tricking motorway drivers into believing they are stranded, then taking their money in exchange for fake jewellery.  The conmen tell innocent motorists who stop to help that they ran out of petrol and their loved one has died - so they need money to get home immediately.  In return, the gang members have been offering fake gold rings as 'security' in exchange for the cash to buy petrol.

The advice for anyone who comes across these conmen is to politely say no, drive a safe distance away and immediately call the police.

Rogue traders

Rogue traders are out and about. They knock on doors and offer to do work for you.

If any one knocks at your door offering to do so, please do check to make sure they are genuine. If in doubt don't let them into your home, but gather as much information as safely as possible and phone the Police.

If you wish to report a crime you can call Cambridgeshire Constabulary on 101. Alternatively if you wish to remain anonymous you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Always call 999 in an emergency.