From Jane Thirsk, Homewatch Co-ordinator, Cheshire Police
22 October 2007
I have received many enquiries concerning an email circulating concerning a parcel company called PDS. If you remember this email was going around last year [2006] and I sent out warnings concerning this company, which was then actually operating.
Since then, ICSTIS, the government's regulatory body for phone-paid services now known as PhonepayPlus, has stopped the company trading but it would seem that the email is doing the rounds again.
Trading Standards are aware of this email circulation, and they have confirmed that this is a hoax. For your information, please see the information provided by them:
We have had had a number of people forwarding alleged scams by email but many of them are chain emails about HOAX scams. Some of these emails refer to advice from Trading Standards but they are not true scams and the emails have not been issued by Trading Standards.
If you receive emails of this nature; please do not open any links and do not forward them on. Forwarding these emails creates unnecessary email traffic and can cause alarm about a scam that does not exist.
If you open any links on the emails you may make your computer vulnerable to viruses and may increase the amount of spam messages sent to your email account.
Hoax scam - Parcel Delivery Service
The latest hoax scam that has been circulated is an email referring to a postal delivery scam (PDS). This scam was closed down in 2005 and the information in the email is incorrect.
"A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number). DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize. If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £15 for the phone call. If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact your local Trading Standards Service or ICSTIS (the premium rate service regulator) at www.icstis.org.uk "
This is a hoax scam and the information is incorrect. A £15 automatic charge does not exist on any premimum rate number. Even if you rang the number you would only be charged £1.50 a minute. This scam was closed down by ICSTIS now called Phonepayplus. They have issued a statement 18/10/07:
http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/pdfs_news/postalscam2007.pdf
If you or someone you know has been a victim of a scam please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk for advice and information. Other websites that provide useful advice and information about current scams:
Hopefully this will put this email to bed !!!!
JANE THIRSK
Homewatch Manager
Cheshire Police
Hoax emails
I am often sent copies of emails many of you might also have received.
There are hoaxes of many kinds. One concerns claims that if criminals force you to withdraw money from an ATM, entering your pin in reverse will automatically alert police.
This email is a typical HOAX message.
If banks were to install this safety PIN number system they would provide information to their customers explaining how the system works and how to use it. It is absurd to suggest that a bank would go to the considerable expense of implementing a safety pin system and then not bother to tell customers about it.
Although this idea did come from America the idea has not been implemented.
Such messages contains potentially dangerous misinformation and should not be forwarded as it could put a victim of crime at risk.
JANE THIRSK
Homewatch Manager
Cheshire Police
