Bromley Trading Standards are reminding residents that scammers can pose as psychics or clairvoyants, to make false promises of good fortune.
The warning follows a recent incident where a borough resident has sent a number of cheques in payment following a letter which was received in the post, which requested payment.
On this occasion, the monies, totalling over £100, was successfully returned to the resident. The Action Fraud website says, “Psychic and clairvoyant scams happen when a fraudster approaches you to tell you they have seen something either wonderful or terrible in your future. They ask for money in order to provide a full report about it.”
As part of the warning, the council’s Trading Standards team are warning residents that scammers can get in touch by calling, by email or by letter asking for money to be sent, sometimes in return for a ‘lucky’ charm, to ensure good luck is with you at all times or even to help ward off ‘bad luck’. But, the charm will be worthless. Regular payments may also be requested as part of this.
Scammers may ask respondents not to tell anyone else and to keep the information a secret.
Responding and sending money to these scammers will result the loss of money sent. Your personal details may also then be shared with other scammers, where you could be targeted again.
Protect yourself:
If you receive a letter or email purporting to be from a psychic or clairvoyant, the best advice is to not respond and do not send money or provide personal details or bank card details.
After forwarding the email to report@phishing.gov.uk, which will help with investigation, residents are advised to delete the email.
If you are unsure whether a letter or email may be genuine, show it to a family member, friend, or someone you trust.
Report
Protect yourself and others by reporting incidents.
Contact your bank if you have given your financial details - Call 159 | Stop Scams UK.
Contact Citizens Advice for help and advice on 0808 223 1133 or on the Citizens Advice website.
If you have given your details or lost money, report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or on the Action Fraud website.
Watch a video showing you how to stay safe when shopping online.
You can also visit the Bromley Council website for more information.
Bromley Trading Standards
To keep up with the latest scam alerts and warnings from Bromley Trading Standards sign up on www.bromley.gov.uk/TradingStandardsAlertSignUpForm.
Bromley Trading Standards also runs a fair-trader directory to help you find a safe, reliable trader that you can trust, visit www.bromley.gov.uk/tradingstandardschecked to learn more.