SCAM WARNING

 

Trading Standards officers are issuing a warning to residents in Cheshire East after a man from Prestbury was nearly conned out of £5,000.

The man had purchased an energy-saving device from a company in May.

On Tuesday, July 12, he received a call from a man claiming to be from that company, saying he had won £5,000 but in order for the money to be released he needed to transfer £462.92 to a Western Union account in India.

Fortunately the man became suspicious and contacted Cheshire East Council who confirmed that it was a scam.

Trading Standards officers say that if a prize is genuine you will NEVER be asked for money in advance to release your winnings.

Councillor Rachel Bailey, Cabinet member with responsibility for safer and stronger communities said: “A general rule of thumb is that if something seems too good to be true, then it usually is!

“Unfortunately get-rich-quick schemes such as this can become much more appealing during a recession, when money is tight for a lot of people.

“However people must remain vigilant and protect themselves from opportunistic fraudsters.”

For all trading standards issues contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.