Medway residents warned about parcel delivery scam
by Nicola
Jordan
Customers across Medway
ordering online presents could get more than they bargained for
this Christmas.
Fake delivery messages over
the festive period may end up costing residents more than £300
pounds.
The bogus dispatch company is
posting calling cards through letter boxes claiming it had tried to
deliver a parcel but there was nobody to sign for it.
The name of the firm is PDS
or Parcel Delivery Service. It gives a premium rate telephone
number for the resident to phone to re-arrange another delivery
time.
But as soon as the call
connects to the number, it is diverted to an automated recording
and the caller will be charged £315. It is thought the company is
based in South America.
Medway Council’s trading
standards team have issued a warning in the run-up to Christmas
when many residents will have ordered packages due to arrive on
their doorsteps.
Cllr Mike O’Brien, who is in
charge of community safety and customer contact, said: "We advise
anyone receiving one of these cards that they should report it on
101 to the police.
"Of course they should not
call the number because the premium rate will mean their phone bill
could be as high as £300 or more.
"At this
time of year when people are ordering gifts online to be delivered
to their homes, they could easily fall into this trap if they
aren’t aware of the risks."
Have you
received one of these cards? Leave your comments below or contact
the newsroom on 01634 227803.
27/11/12
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