Trading Standards warn of bank charges scam
From Cllr Mrs Diana Holl-Allen, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities on 25 January 2012
Solihull Trading Standards are warning people to be on their guard against fraudsters after a local man was conned out of £316.
A company calling themselves “Reclaim Express” contacted the man, from the Olton area of Solihull, and told him that he was owed £3160 for bank charges administered on his account.
He was told that he would need to pay 10% of his claim up front in order to process his claim. He was told to make the payment by a MoneyGram cash transfer through the Post Office.
MoneyGram is a genuine money transfer service run by the Post Office to enable easy transfer of funds abroad for a fee.
The victim sent the money off to the company but instead of receiving his funds he was contacted again by “Reclaim Express” and told that there had been a mistake and that as his claim was over £2500 he would have to pay a further £360 for tax purposes.
Fortunately the victim did not respond this time and contacted Trading Standards but since then he has received several phone calls asking him for money to process his claim.
Councillor Diana Holl-Allen cabinet member for safer communities said: “If you believe you are entitled to claim back fees paid to your bank for unfair charges or payment protection schemes from credit cards or loans then contact your bank directly and they will advise you how to do this”.
“If anyone is contacted by companies offering to recover funds for them for an up front fee then they should be extremely sceptical as it is most likely a scam”.
People are being asked to make others aware of the scam particularly elderly and vulnerable relatives, neighbours and friends so that they too do not fall victim.
Anyone with doubts about the legitimacy of a company offering these services should contact Consumer Direct on 08454-040506.
Media enquiries only - Angharad Lynch - 0121 704 6164
Email: alynch@solihull.gov.uk