Menu
04/04/2005
Trading standards warns of holiday scams
The Trading Standards Service has called on the general public to be wary of unsolicited telephone calls offering free holidays.
Recent scams have fallen into two types. In one, the caller alleges that the consumer has won a free holiday in Florida and offers to upgrade the holiday for the apparently reasonable cost of approximately £300.
The second, offers a free holiday in Orlando and requires the consumer to contact a premium rate number, which can result in a charge of £20 a minute or even more.
In all cases the calls suggest that the consumer's details were obtained from a competition entered at various high profile retail stores, including John Lewis, Argos or Marks and Spencer.
Jimmy Hughes from Trading Standards said there are no such competitions.
"These scams use the good name and reputation of established retail companies to mislead the public into accepting a scheme that is wholly unworthy of their trust,” he said. “It is not advisable to respond to any such call as it can involve a premium rate phone call, at an exorbitant rate."
Those seeking further information or advice should contact Consumerline on 0845 600 6262 or report the call to ICSTIS, the independent watchdog on telephone services on 0800 500 212.
(MB/SP)
Recent scams have fallen into two types. In one, the caller alleges that the consumer has won a free holiday in Florida and offers to upgrade the holiday for the apparently reasonable cost of approximately £300.
The second, offers a free holiday in Orlando and requires the consumer to contact a premium rate number, which can result in a charge of £20 a minute or even more.
In all cases the calls suggest that the consumer's details were obtained from a competition entered at various high profile retail stores, including John Lewis, Argos or Marks and Spencer.
Jimmy Hughes from Trading Standards said there are no such competitions.
"These scams use the good name and reputation of established retail companies to mislead the public into accepting a scheme that is wholly unworthy of their trust,” he said. “It is not advisable to respond to any such call as it can involve a premium rate phone call, at an exorbitant rate."
Those seeking further information or advice should contact Consumerline on 0845 600 6262 or report the call to ICSTIS, the independent watchdog on telephone services on 0800 500 212.
(MB/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 August 2009
Petrol Prices Soaring
Drivers are looking at a considerable rise in petrol prices across NI. Last week, fuel prices returned to a peak not seen in over six weeks, with the average price at the pumps across the country now at 103.88p a litre, after it fell to 102.28 a litre in the last weekend of July.
Petrol Prices Soaring
Drivers are looking at a considerable rise in petrol prices across NI. Last week, fuel prices returned to a peak not seen in over six weeks, with the average price at the pumps across the country now at 103.88p a litre, after it fell to 102.28 a litre in the last weekend of July.
21 October 2022
£5.5m School Holiday Food Grant Announced
The families of children entitled to free school meals will receive a school holiday food grant until March 2023, Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has announced.
£5.5m School Holiday Food Grant Announced
The families of children entitled to free school meals will receive a school holiday food grant until March 2023, Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has announced.
20 November 2020
School Holiday Food Grants Extended Until 2022
The families of children entitled to Free School Meals are to continue to receive food grants during this years Christmas holidays, Education Minister Peter Weir has confirmed. The Minister said that the scheme has now been extended until Easter 2022 and is expected to benefit more than 100,000 children.
School Holiday Food Grants Extended Until 2022
The families of children entitled to Free School Meals are to continue to receive food grants during this years Christmas holidays, Education Minister Peter Weir has confirmed. The Minister said that the scheme has now been extended until Easter 2022 and is expected to benefit more than 100,000 children.
13 November 2008
Holiday Scratch Cards Scam Targeted
The Trading Standards Service is warning holidaymakers to beware of bogus holiday clubs. The prospect of escaping the cold, dark winter nights in Northern Ireland is luring some unwary consumers into signing-up to what the official consumer watchdog has branded fraudulent.
Holiday Scratch Cards Scam Targeted
The Trading Standards Service is warning holidaymakers to beware of bogus holiday clubs. The prospect of escaping the cold, dark winter nights in Northern Ireland is luring some unwary consumers into signing-up to what the official consumer watchdog has branded fraudulent.
19 February 2018
Vulnerable Man Escapes Injury After Petrol Bomb Attack In Banbridge
Police have launched an investigation after the home of a vulnerable young man was attacked with a petrol bomb in Banbridge, Co Down. The man, who has severe learning disabilities, was woken by the sound of his bedroom window smashing in the early hours of Sunday, 18 February.
Vulnerable Man Escapes Injury After Petrol Bomb Attack In Banbridge
Police have launched an investigation after the home of a vulnerable young man was attacked with a petrol bomb in Banbridge, Co Down. The man, who has severe learning disabilities, was woken by the sound of his bedroom window smashing in the early hours of Sunday, 18 February.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Apart from a little patchy drizzle it will be a dry evening and night with variable amounts of cloud. A few mist and fog patches forming. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
