Career Opportunity Scam

Ablestoke Consulting Scam Avoidance Guides – Career Opportunity Scam

Scams are schemes which are designed to con unwary people out of their money. Scams come in a variety of types and can be quite sophisticated; therefore even experienced people can be caught out. You may well have already come across scams in your life such as letters from abroad asking you to share in a fortune if your bank account can be used to release funds that are locked away overseas, premium rate competition scams, bogus sweepstakes and lotteries, and fake health cures. These are some of the favourite scams used by unscrupulous fraudsters. As the number of scams seems to be increasing, Ablestoke Consulting’s Scam Avoidance Guide is designed to make you aware and save your money.

Many of us consider leaving the drudgery of our jobs, why spend our life working in an industry we do not like, for a company that does not value us, for a pay we cannot control. The feeling of being trapped and helpless to accelerate our progression in our careers and lifestyle is a common one.

What do you do? Re-train?, change industry?, set up a business?

There are many opportunities out there and in today’s world you do not have to just be another low paid employee, you can be self employed, from contracting to setting up your own business or taking a franchise.

However one thing you need to be aware of are the number of career opportunity scams out there.

These scams prey on people like us, who want to better themselves and not be just another number on the payroll, fortunately there is an obvious tell tale sign

The “tell tale” sign

Work from home, flexible hours etc… all in exchange for a high income, seems too good to be true, and then they ask you for cash up front! 

How to avoid the Career opportunity scam

·         Is the company registered with Companies House

·         Do they have a landline telephone number

·         Do they have a registered office address

·         Are they a member of any recognised professional body, trade association

·         Are they regulated by a government authority

·         Do they have any customer testimonials

·         Never pay up-front fees to join a company

What Do I do if I have been scammed?

·         Inform the Office of Fair Trading

·         Contact the relevant industry authority

·         Call the police

For more information on how to avoid Scams read below

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Christmas Post Scam

Ablestoke Consulting Scam Avoidance Guides – Christmas Post Scam

Scams are schemes which are designed to con unwary people out of their money. Scams come in a variety of types and can be quite sophisticated; therefore even experienced people can be caught out. You may well have already come across scams in your life such as letters from abroad asking you to share in a fortune if your bank account can be used to release funds that are locked away overseas, premium rate competition scams, bogus sweepstakes and lotteries, and fake health cures. These are some of the favourite scams used by unscrupulous fraudsters. As the number of scams seems to be increasing, Ablestoke Consulting’s Scam Avoidance Guide is designed to make you aware and save your money.

With Christmas fast approaching, beware that scams may be on the increase

Apparently this scam has been confirmed by Royal Mail.

The Trading Standards Office are making
people aware of the following scam:

How the scam works:

A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel
Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and
that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a Premium rate number).

DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize.

If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will
already have been billed £315 for the phone call.

If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail
Fraud on 020 7239 6655.

For more information, see the Crime Stoppers website:
http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/crime-prevention/helping-prevent-crime/scams/postal-delivery-scam

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Identity Fraud

Ablestoke Consulting Scam Avoidance Guides – Identity Fraud

Scams are schemes which are designed to con unwary people out of their money. Scams come in a variety of types and can be quite sophisticated; therefore even experienced people can be caught out. You may well have already come across scams in your life such as letters from abroad asking you to share in a fortune if your bank account can be used to release funds that are locked away overseas, premium rate competition scams, bogus sweepstakes and lotteries, and fake health cures. These are some of the favourite scams used by unscrupulous fraudsters. As the number of scams seems to be increasing, Ablestoke Consulting’s Scam Avoidance Guide is designed to make you aware and save your money.

There can be little worse than someone stealing your identity and using this to run up bills that you end up paying. Using just a few of your personal details, criminals can apply for bank accounts, credit cards, benefits and official documents in your name.

How can someone steal my identity?

·         Finding out your bank details

·         Stealing or copying your passport or drivers license details

·         Copying credit card details

·         Using fraudulent websites to gain your personal details

·         Going through your dustbin for receipts, letters or envelopes

How do I know if my identity has been stolen?

·         Are there unusual payments on your bank statements or credit card statements?

·         Has any mail gone missing?

·         Have you received bills for goods or services you haven’t bought?

·         Are there new credit cards on your credit file?

How to avoid being scammed

·         Delete any suspicious emails without opening them

·         Always keep your computer protected with a good firewall

·         Don’t use the same password all the time

·         Never give personal information to people who email or call you

·         Never let your credit card out of sight when you are paying for goods

·         Don’t respond to emails asking for passwords, bank details or credit card details

• don't buy online unless you see the golden padlock on the payments page, and a web address beginning with 'https'

·         Shred unwanted envelopes, letters or any other personal information

·         Inform utility companies and authorities when you move home

• keep your banking and credit card PIN numbers safe - no bank will ever phone you to ask for your PIN
• if you live in a shared building, ask your bank if you can pick up cards at your branch
• Monitor your credit report
• Report missing mail to the Royal Mail

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Oveseas Bank Account fortune Scams

Ablestoke Consulting Scam Avoidance Guide

Scams are schemes which are designed to con unwary people out of their money. Scams come in a variety of types and can be quite sophisticated; therefore even experienced people can be caught out. You may well have already come across scams in your life such as letters from abroad asking you to share in a fortune if your bank account can be used to release funds that are locked away overseas, premium rate competition scams, bogus sweepstakes and lotteries, and fake health cures. These are some of the favourite scams used by unscrupulous fraudsters. As the number of scams seems to be increasing, Ablestoke’s Scam Avoidance Guide is designed to make you aware and save your money.

Below is an actual scam email received recently by a client – please beware

HELLO ,

MY NAME IS BARRISTER X. I AM A LEGAL PRACTITIONER WITH X LAW FIRM

I SAW YOUR CONTACT AND PROFILE AND I DECIDED THAT YOU COULD COOPERATE WITH ME

IN THIS PROPOSITION. I HAVE A CLIENT WHO WAS DECEASED ON X DATE, IN X HOSPITAL.

 I AM CONTACTING YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE SAME LAST NAME AS MY DECEASED CLIENT

AND I FELT THAT YOU COULD HELP ME IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUND THAT WERE LEFT IN MY

DECEASED CLIENT'S BANK ACCOUNT. THIS FUND IS CLOSED TO BE DECLARED

UN-SERVICEABLE BY THE BANK AS THERE WERE NO INDICATED NEXT OF KIN OR

NEXT OF BENEFICIARY OF THE FUND IN THE BANK ACCOUNT.

THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF CASH IN THE BANK ACCOUNT OF MY DECEASED CLIENT IS

US$ X MILLION. THE BANK HAD ISSUED TO ME A NOTIFICATION TO CONTACT THE NEXT OF KIN

OF MYDECEASED CLIENT FOR EITHER TO RE ACTIVATE THE ACCOUNT OR TO MAKE CLAIM

OF BENEFICIARY, OF THE FUNDING IN THE BANK ACCOUNT, WITH A MONTH

SURCHARGE OF X% TO BE DEDUCTED AS AN ESCROW SAFE KEEPING FEE OF THE

BANK ACCOUNT, SO AS TO AVOID TO MY PROPOSITION TO YOU IS TO SEEK YOUR

CONSENT, AND TO PRESENT YOUR KIND SELF AS THE NEXT-OF-KIN AND

BENEFICIARY OF MY DECEASED CLIENT, SINCE YOU HAVE THE SAME  LAST NAME

WITH HIM.  THIS MEANS THAT THE PROCEEDS OF HIS BANK ACCOUNT WOULD BE

PAID TO YOU AS HIS NEXT OF KIN OR THE LEGITIMATE BENEFICIARY.  WHEN

THE PROCEEDS IN HIS BANK ACCOUNT ARE PAID TO YOU, WE WOULD SHARE THE

PROCEEDS ON A MUTUALLY AGREED-UPON PERCENTAGE OF 60% TO ME AND 40% TO

YOUR KIND SELF.

ALL THE LEGAL DOCUMENTS TO BACK UP YOUR CLAIM AS MY CLIENT'S

NEXT-OF-KIN WOULD BE PROVIDED BY ME. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I WOULD

NEED IS YOUR HONEST COOPERATION TO IN THIS PROPOSITION. THIS WOULD BE

DONE UNDER A LEGITIMATE ARRANGEMENT THAT WOULD PROTECT YOU FROM ANY

BREACH OF THE LAW.

IF THIS BUSINESS PROPOSITION OFFENDS YOUR MORAL AND ETHIC VALUES, DO

ACCEPT MY SINCERE APOLOGY. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT ONCE IF YOU INTERESTED

BY REPLYING THE MAIL AND IGNORE IT IF YOU ARE NOT.

BEST REGARDS,

BARRISTER XXX

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Ablestoke Consulting Scam Avoidance Guides

Ablestoke Consulting Scam Avoidance Guide

Scams are schemes which are designed to con unwary people out of their money. Scams come in a variety of types and can be quite sophisticated; therefore even experienced people can be caught out. You may well have already come across scams in your life such as letters from abroad asking you to share in a fortune if your bank account can be used to release funds that are locked away overseas, premium rate competition scams, bogus sweepstakes and lotteries, and fake health cures. These are some of the favourite scams used by unscrupulous fraudsters. As the number of scams seems to be increasing, Ablestoke’s Scam Avoidance Guide is designed to make you aware and save your money.

Here are some of the most common scams:

·         Bogus Government Department Scams - letters or emails claiming to be from government departments such as the Financial Services Authority asking for your personal information or money.

·         Bogus communications form HMRC - letters or emails claiming to be from the Inland Revenue asking for your account information or payment or offering a tax rebate.

·         Bank Charge reclaim cold callers - telephone calls or emails out of the blue, offering to help reclaim your bank charges - often claiming to be from the Office Of Fair Trading

·         Identity Fraud - someone impersonates you without your knowledge, often by stealing discarded or lost documents.

·         Money In Overseas bank account Scams – a letter or email claiming that there is money in an overseas bank account left by someone with the same name as you who is deceased, and that the money has been frozen by the bank as there are no relatives. They suggest you can have the money transferred to your account and that you will receive a large part of the money as your fee.

·         Inheritance Scams – a letter from someone claiming to be a solicitor for a long lost relative, offering you their services in securing money left to you.

·         Advance Fee Scams - letters or emails that offer you large amounts of money if you make payments up front.

·         Credit Card Scams - a telephone call telling you that you have been a victim of fraud and asking you to verify your card details.

·         Fraud Recovery Scams – a phone call or email from someone claiming to be from an organisation tackling fraud and offering to help you recover money from a previous fraud.

·         Mobile Phone Insurance Scam – a telephone call soon after buying your mobile phone offering you insurance cover.

·         Missed call fraud – you receive a call on your mobile phone, but the person hangs up after one ring. If you call back, you are put through to a specially set up premium-rate phone number.

Generally, firms have to be regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the UK's financial services regulator, or be the agent of a regulated firm. Regulated firms and their agents are put on the FSA Register and have to meet certain standards. Always make sure that the firm you use is on the FSA Register before handing over your money. If they aren't regulated by the FSA, you won't have access to complaints and compensation procedures if things go wrong. To find out if a firm is on the FSA Register – www.fsa.gov.uk/register/

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Ablestoke Consulting

Ablestoke Consulting Scam Avoidance Guide – Missed Call Scams

Scams are schemes which are designed to con unwary people out of their money. Scams come in a variety of types and can be quite sophisticated; therefore even experienced people can be caught out. You may well have already come across scams in your life such as letters from abroad asking you to share in a fortune if your bank account can be used to release funds that are locked away overseas, premium rate competition scams, bogus sweepstakes and lotteries, and fake health cures. These are some of the favourite scams used by unscrupulous fraudsters. As the number of scams seems to be increasing, Ablestoke’s Scam Avoidance Guide is designed to make you aware and save your money.

What is a Missed Call Scam?

Scams using text messaging, emails or faxes are increasingly ripping off unwary consumers, the UK Government has warned. Most of these scams involve offering bogus prize draws and special offers lure people into replying, the Department of Trade and Industry has said.

The growing number of people with the internet and mobile phones has raised concern that the problem is increasing. There is particular concern that because of the popularity of texting among children, they could often be the victims of cons.

In one example hotel and restaurant owners were asked to fax copies of their brochures and menus to a potential client. The fax number turned out to be a premium rate line.

While much of the marketing conducted in this way is legitimate, unfortunately it also includes examples which are misleading or untrue. All too often people are taken in by scams and make the mistake of being too trusting and lose money as a result.

A European directive which came into force in the UK in August 2004 was designed to combat unwanted e-mails. Messages should make it clear in the title what they are so the recipient can delete it straight away if they wish. Under the Data Protection Act, companies collecting the e-mail addresses of visitors to their websites must make clear any intention to use or disclose the address for

Tips for Spotting Missed Call Scams:

·         Premium rate lines usually begin 090

·         Premium Reverse Texts usually have a 4 or 5 digit code number to reply to

·         All premium rate services should tell you the price before the call is connected

·         Most phone companies bar certain calls

Be suspicious if:

·         You do not enter prize draws

·         There is a short time to claim a prize

·         A processing or management fee is demanded up front

·         You have to purchase something or phone a premium rate number to obtain your prize

·         You get rewarded by getting others to join the scheme

·         They want your bank details or credit card information

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Ablestoke Consulting Scam Avoidance Guide – Credit Card Scams

Worryingly, according to a recent poll from Moneywise magazine, 60% of us have been the victims of credit card fraud at one time in our life

The common themes seem to be:

·         Fraud occurring after using your credit card at a self service petrol station

·         Overseas transactions whilst you are still in the UK

·         Using Unsecured websites

·         Throwing away old documents or post containing your personal information

Ablestoke’s tips to avoid Credit Card Fraud Scams are:

·         Try to use service stations which are not self service, and whether you are paying by cash or card, always ask for a receipt

·         Check your bank statements and credit card statements monthly to ensure that there are no payments you cannot account for, if there are call your bank or credit card company immediately

·         Never use unsecured websites, set up a PAY PAL account

·         Buy a shredder and shred all old documents or post with ANY personal information

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