Postal Force Ltd of East Acton Lane, London, have been delivering cards through doors across the country saying they have tried to deliver a parcel, and to call a number to arrange collection. Customers are given a premium rate (090) number to call but in very small print, it says the call will cost £1.50 per minute for up to 13 minutes.
In this particular case, the premium rate line regulator has acted promptly following complaints and shut the number down, but these scams have a tendency to reappear, so Trading Standards is alerting consumers to this type of con.
"At this time of year, many consumers could be caught out as they are expecting parcels,” Councillor Bob Tidy, Lead Member for Community Safety, said. "If consumers do find a card through the door, they must think whether they have actually ordered something, read the card carefully and check the cost of the telephone call before contacting the courier. In particular, they should note that UK premium rate numbers all start 090,” he said.
Reference:
04/433/JW
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