Trading Standards Alert – Plastic Card Scams

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Scams can take many forms and one prominent scam involves the use of credit cards. This is where customers give credit card details to buy a genuine product/service and those details are sold to a scammer. The scammer sets up a fraudulent purchase of, for example, an expensive mobile phone. They then send you something of no or little value by tracked delivery so that when you challenge the purchase, they have a delivery receipt.

Plastic card fraud can include frauds perpetrated by use of a card online, over the phone or by mail order, and counterfeit card fraud.

Protect yourself against plastic card fraud

Keep all your cards and financial details safe:

  • always look after your cards and card details. Try not to let your card out of your sight when making a transaction.
  • check receipts against statements carefully. Contact your card company immediately if you find an unfamiliar transaction.
  • store your statements, receipts and financial documents safely and destroy them, preferably using a shredder, when you dispose of them.
  • sign any new cards as soon as they arrive.
  • cut expired cards through the magnetic strip and chip when replacement cards arrive.

Secure your PIN:

  • memorise your PIN and destroy any paper notification as soon as you receive it.
  • ensure that you’re the only person that knows your PIN. Never write it down or record it. Your bank or the police will never phone you and ask you to disclose your PIN.
  • when entering your PIN, use your free hand and your body to shield the number from prying eyes or hidden cameras. If you think someone has seen your PIN or if you want to change it to something more memorable, you can change it at a cash machine (ATM) or by contacting your bank.

Take care when using cash machines:

  • put your personal safety first. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, cancel the transaction and use a different machine.
  • if you spot anything unusual about the cash machine, or if there are signs of tampering, don’t use it. Report it to the bank concerned immediately.
  • be alert. If someone is crowding or watching you, cancel the transaction and go to another machine. Don’t accept help from seemingly well-meaning strangers and never allow yourself to be distracted.
  • once you’ve completed a transaction, put your money and card away before leaving the cash machine. If the cash machine doesn’t return your card, report its loss immediately to your card company. Destroy or preferably shred your cash machine receipt, mini-statement or balance enquiry when you dispose of them.

Contact your bank immediately if you think your card or personal information has been compromised.

If fraud has been committed, report it to Action Fraud 0300 123 2040 https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime.

Planning Report – July 2022

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To find out the latest news on what is being planned in your local area, check out our latest Planning Report with up-to-date information on Planning Applications including developments in:

  • Addiscombe Road
  • The Glade
  • Gladeside
  • Land S/O Firsby Ave, E/O Verdayne Ave
  • Orchard Avenue
  • Orchard Rise
  • Orchard Way
  • Shirley Avenue
  • Shirley Road
  • St. George’s Church
  • Wickham Road and Woodmere Avenue.

With the all the latest information on MORA’s statement to the Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry regarding the reassessment of the Croydon Local Plan Review,  information about the Planning Advisory Peer Review that MORA has contributed towards and the latest news on the Draft Revised Croydon Local Plan.

Also, take a look at the MORA Planning App, which gives you an easy way to track all the current and recent planning applications within the MORA area. It’s simple to use and free for you to access

Trading Standards Scams Awareness Campaign – Doorstep Selling & Cold Calling

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Scams can start with an unsolicited cold call door knock, often from people trying to sell their services or products. One of the most common in Croydon is rogue traders trying to push consumers into having expensive home improvements carried out that are either not necessary or where some work may be required but they then grossly overcharge and carry out sub-standard work.

We would encourage you NEVER to engage with a cold caller and NEVER to sign up for any work or services from your home without taking time to seriously think about what you actually need and to research the trader in question.

ALWAYS get several quotes in writing before having any work done, ensure you have time to think about the quote and ensure the companies or traders are legitimate by finding traders using Approved Trader Schemes such as:

 

Trust Mark www.trustmark.org.uk/find-a-tradesman
0333 555 1234

 

 

Buy With Confidence www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk  01392 383 430

 

 

 

Which? Trusted Traders https://trustedtraders.which.co.uk/  0117 405 4689

 

 

For further information please see the Croydon Trading Standards link below:
https://www.croydon.gov.uk/advice/tstandards/busadvice/taschemes

Read more information on the Citizens Advice website about consumer’s rights if you think you have been mis-sold items on the doorstep or have been pressured into signing a contract:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/changed-your-mind/if-you-were-misled-or-pressured-into-buying-something-you-didnt-want/

Please remember to report to Action Fraud 0300 123 2040 https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime if you have actually been the victim of a scam or fraud.

Call Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline 0808 223 1133 or visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ to report a scam or if you require further advice in regards to scams or consumer matters.

Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) Expansion Consultation

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Transport for London are consulting on proposals to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) London-wide on 29 August 2023. We want to hear your views on our proposals. These proposals are part of the commitment by the Mayor of London and TfL to help improve air quality and public health, tackle the climate emergency and reduce traffic congestion across Greater London.

See the consultation brochure for more details.

These are our proposals for the London-wide expansion of the ULEZ from 29 August 2023. The new boundary would cover almost all (96 per cent) of Greater London, up to the existing Low Emission Zone (LEZ) boundary.

Details of the proposals:

  • It would cost £12.50 per day to drive anywhere within the London-wide ULEZ area for drivers of non-compliant vehicles. Check whether your vehicle is already ULEZ standards compliant using the ULEZ vehicle checker.
  • It would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 364 days a year, excluding Christmas Day.
  • We would remove the £10 annual per vehicle registration fee for Auto Pay for the ULEZ, LEZ and Congestion Charge from 30 January 2023. It would then be free to register for Auto Pay. You would still have to pay the ULEZ charge if your vehicle is not compliant. (Auto Pay is a mechanism for automatic payment of the ULEZ, LEZ or Congestion Charge that ensures that drivers will not receive a Penalty Charge Notice)
  • The penalty for non-payment for ULEZ and Congestion Charge would increase from £160 to £180 from 30 January 2023. If paid within 14 days, the amount would reduce by half.

HAVE YOUR SAY
Transport for London would like your views on the proposals to expand the ULEZ London-wide from 29 August 2023, removal of the annual Auto Pay vehicle registration fee, increases in the penalty charge notice levels for non-payment of the daily ULEZ charge and the Congestion Charge, changes to the Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS) and your thoughts on how we shape the future of road user charging.

TfL would also welcome your views on minor operational changes we propose making to the Congestion Charge and ULEZ schemes.

You can do this by completing the online survey. You will need to register with our Have your say platform to take part in the online survey. Your details will be kept secure . The consultation will close on 29 July 2022 at 23:59.

If you prefer not to complete the survey, then please submit your response to us in writing to cleanairyourview@tfl.gov.uk or FREEPOST TFL HAVE YOUR SAY (no stamp required). You can also phone this number 0343 222 1155 to leave your feedback or ask a question about our proposals.