Look out for Barnet scam artists, police warn (From Times Series)

Look out for Barnet scam artists, police warn

7:30am Monday 15th June 2009

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SCAM artists pretending to be courier companies and electrical goods suppliers have been operating across Barnet.

The Metropolitan Police has warned people not to respond to bogus electrical goods advertisements placed in local and national press, or to courier notices that ask for redelivery fees.

Customers who have attempted to buy goods from the advertisements have been asked to pay or transfer cash into a bank account. They are told that the items will be sent to them, but they never arrive.

The adverts have been placed in local papers and magazines nationwide under a variety of names including Arash Ltd, The Gadget Company, Gadget Limited, Office Bits Warehouse, Office Supplies Cabin and Office Brands Megastore.

The only contact details are telephone and fax numbers, and occasionally an email address that ends in @easymailorders.com.

The fake courier cards posted through the door are from a company called Parcel Express UK or Network Link Courier. They tell the householder they have missed delivery of a parcel and asks them to phone a number and pay for redelivery by credit or debit card.

Again, the money is not debited from the victims' account, but the details are later used fraudulently.

Norman Allen, 60, from Marlborough Avenue, Edgware, was not fooled by the note he received through his door from Network Link Courier this week.

"My wife, my daughter and I were all home when these people allegedly called, but nobody heard the doorbell go," he said. "And, to my knowledge, nobody was expecting any packages.

"I saw they were asking for a redelivery fee, which immediately got my heckles up. I've never seen that before.

"Then I rang them and there was no answer, no voicemail, nothing.

"These people have to be held to account. The note looks quite genuine and some people are bound to be misled, especially if they are actually expecting a parcel."

Councillor Matthew Offord, Barnet cabinet member for community engagement and community safety, advised residents to be careful with their bank details.

He said: "Residents should be extremely wary about giving out their debit or credit card details over the phone or paying money directly into a person's bank account for goods or services.

"These adverts and fake delivery cards look realistic but should be treated with extreme caution."

Police advise everyone who has placed an order or called one of the courier companies to inform their bank immediately and cancel their card.

Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Head, head of the Economic Crime Directorate at the City of London Police, the force investigating the frauds, said: "It is evident victims have been duped by bogus advertisements for reduced-price goods, placed in trusted newspapers and national magazines.

"Our advice to people is to only ever part with your financial details to a known and trusted company.

"Likewise, if an approach for delivery of a parcel is unexpected or unsolicited, be wary, question the reasons why and take time out to consider the validity of the request.

"Trading Standards or Consumer Direct can offer advice."

Anyone who suspects they have been a victim of this crime can report it to the City of London Police at ophukka@cityoflondon.police.uk

Further advice on consumer rights can be found at consumerdirect.gov.uk or by contacting Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.

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