Luminus Group

If you are a Luminus resident, you may be at risk of one of these scams or safety issues. Please make yourself aware and follow the advice given.

 

Tumble dryer safety

The London Fire Brigade are urging all residents to check if their tumble dryer is a safety risk, after Whirlpool advised consumers to unplug and stop using dangerous, faulty tumble dryers. Go to http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/news/LatestNewsReleases_total-recalls-check-your-whirpool-tumble-dryer.asp to find out more.

 

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.

 

Royal Mail scam email

Fraudsters are sending out virus infected emails that claim a package has been seized by HM Revenue & Customs upon arrival into the United Kingdom. The official looking scam emails claiming to be from Royal Mail contain a link to a document which will install malicious software on your computer designed to steal credentials like account names, email addresses and passwords.

An example email reads:
Title: Your parcel has been seized
Royal Mail is sorry to inform you that a package addressed to you was seized by HM Revenue & Customs upon arrival into the United Kingdom.
A close inspection deemed your items as counterfeit and the manufacturers have been notified. If your items are declared genuine then they will be returned back to you with the appropriate custom charges.
You may have been a victim of counterfeit merchandise and the RM Group UK will notify you on how to get your money back. Please review the attached PDF document for more information.
Document (RM7002137GB).Zip
Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.

To help the spread of the virus, the email also says: “you will need to have access to a computer to download and open the Zip file”. If you receive one of these emails, do not click on any links or download any attachments and report it to Action Fraud.

Protect yourself:

  • Royal Mail will never send an email asking for credit card numbers or other personal or confidential information.
  • Royal Mail will never ask customers to enter information on a page that isn’t part of the Royal Mail website.
  • Royal Mail will never include attachments unless the email was solicited by a customer e.g. customer has contacted Royal Mail with an enquiry or has signed up for updates from Royal Mail.
  • Royal Mail have also stressed that they do not receive a person’s email address as part of any home shopping experience.

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online: www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone: 0300 123 2040

 

Rogue traders - tree cutting

Huntingdonshire District Council have 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 was visited by someone pretending to be a Luminus Tradesmen. This person was not wearing a Luminus uniform or carrying any ID. Please note that Luminus Tradesmen will ALWAYS show you their ID and will be wearing a Luminus uniform. If we send a contractor on our behalf, you will be notified of their attendance in advance. 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.

 

Fake letter re. incorrect disposal of waste

We have been notified of resident receiving a letter claiming to be from Luminus regarding a charge for improper disposal of refuse and recyling waste. This was not from us. If you receive a similar letter, or are in doubt, please call us on 0345 266 9760.

 

Fake gas inspection

We have been notified that a tenant was called by someone claiming they were from Luminus and tried to make an appointment for a gas inspection. However, this was not us. If you get a call and you are unsure if it is us, do not give any personal details. Ask for the name of the caller, end the call, then phone us on 0345 266 9760 to check if it is genuine.

Please also remember that Luminus employees who come to your home will always show their ID. Ensure you check their ID and report any concerns on 0345 266 9760.

 

Boiler scam

A tenant received a call to advise that she qualified to have a new boiler under a Government Scheme but needed to pay a deposit of between £300 to £500.  The caller requested the tenant’s bank details advising that she could reclaim the money through this Government Scheme. Fortunately on this occasion the tenant did not give her bank details.

Remember: Luminus tenants would never been asked to pay any money towards their normal repairs.

NEVER give out personal or financial details over the phone - remember, banks or genuine organisations never cold call and ask for your bank details.