Scams Archives - Page 3 of 5

Covid-19 Scams – Fake Tests and Fraudulent Vaccinations

Consumer Protection, Coronavirus / Covid-19, Online Scams, Scams / January 11, 2021 March 21, 2022

Throughout the pandemic, consumeradvice.scot have seen scammers targeting consumers, with scams including the sale of fake PPE and the targeting of the Test and Protect programme. Criminals are now targeting the crucial roll-out of the vaccination programme. consumeradvice.scot have received reports of Covid-19 vaccination scam emails and texts sent to consumers containing links to websites …

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Avoid A Money-Mishap this Boxing Day

Christmas / Seasonal, Consumer Protection, Consumer Rights, Consumer Spending, Online Scams, Online Shopping, Retail, Scams / December 18, 2020 March 21, 2022

Research carried out by The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) and Vouchercodes.co.uk suggests that in 2019, the average UK household spent over £450 in the December and Boxing Day sales. With stores already slashing their prices in advance of Boxing Day 2020, it is easy to find yourself caught up in the excitement of bagging …

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Shutting the Door on Scammers -Direct Mail and Postal Scams

#ShutOutScammers, Consumer Protection, Consumer Rights, Online Scams, Post, Scams / December 2, 2020 March 21, 2022

The various methods used by scammers to gather consumer information is startling. With technology evolving daily and the channels we use to communicate with one another expanding, so do the tactics employed by unscrupulous individuals to collect our data in attempts to defraud us of our hard-earned money and precious time. Despite the development of …

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Using Video Conferencing Applications and Software Safely this Festive Season

Coronavirus / Covid-19, Cyber Security, Online Scams, Safety, Scams, Technology / November 23, 2020 March 21, 2022

With the announcement of tier 4 restrictions across Scotland taking effect from Boxing Day, many of us will be turning again to video conferencing as an alternative to physically attending gatherings this New Year’s Eve. With the various platforms that are out there, ensuring that any interaction is safe and secure is as important now …

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Counterfeit Goods: Impacts on Consumers and the Economy

Consumer Protection, Consumer Returns, Consumer Rights, Consumer Spending, Counterfeit Goods, Online Scams, Online Shopping, Retail, Scams / November 22, 2020 March 21, 2022

We all like to feel like we are getting value-for-money in anything we purchase, but sometimes a bargain can leave us feeling cheaper than expected when it turns out to be a counterfeit, sub-standard imitation of the real thing. Questions are raised about the multiple perspectives involved in the operation of the movement of these …

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Cyber Security – Protecting Your Information When Shopping Online

Consumer Protection, Consumer Returns, Consumer Rights, Consumer Spending, Cyber Scotland, Cyber Security, Online Scams, Online Shopping, Scams, Technology / November 20, 2020 March 21, 2022

Cyber scams can come in various forms and impact consumers in different ways. With a variety of methods employed by scammers to gather consumer information, being aware can ensure that we are not caught out. This is particularly relevant when shopping online, with scammers utilising social media platforms and cloned websites to gather personal information. …

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Online Shopping – Understanding the Gimmicks and Making the Most of Your Money

Clothing / Accessories, Consumer Protection, Consumer Returns, Consumer Rights, Consumer Spending, Online Scams, Online Shopping, Retail, Scams / November 16, 2020 March 21, 2022

Online shopping means easier access to purchase the things that we want, with delivery straight to our doors. With many offers available, and clever online and email marketing directed towards consumers, understanding the tricks of the trade that are used to convince us to make purchases are important in ensuring we avoid the pitfalls, and …

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Contactless Fraud: Changing Payment Methods Mean Increased Risks

Consumer Protection, Consumer Returns, Consumer Rights, Consumer Spending, Finance, Legislation, Online Scams, Online Shopping, Scams / November 6, 2020 March 21, 2022

We have seen many changes in retail since the start of the year. The coronavirus pandemic has meant that shopping looks and feels very different for most of us. Limits to the numbers of shoppers allowed in store, as well as one-way systems and rules about spacing have had an impact on the retail store …

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Energy Efficiency Social Media Scams: Spotting and Avoiding the Fraudsters

Consumer Protection, Consumer Returns, Consumer Rights, Consumer Spending, Energy, Online Scams, Scams, Uncategorized / October 16, 2020 March 21, 2022

There has been an increase in reports of scams that target people who need maintenance and energy efficiency works carried out on their homes through social media. Scammers often appear legitimate through the use of ‘buzzwords’, such as ‘bounce-back loans’, and by mentioning official bodies, such as the Government, when in reality they are not …

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Amazon Prime Day: 13th & 14th October 2020 – Avoiding Disappointment through Informed Choices

Amazon Prime Day, Consumer Protection, Consumer Returns, Consumer Rights, Consumer Spending, Deliveries, Online Scams, Online Shopping, Retail, Scams / October 9, 2020 March 21, 2022

There are considerations for consumers when making purchases online at any time, but care should be taken during online events to ensure your purchases are safe and provide value-for-money. The impulse to purchase something straight away when we see a bargain is all too familiar for most of us. To ensure that our expectations are …

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