This week is romance fraud awareness week. Romance fraud is one of the top five most commonly reported frauds to Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Even if you have heard the scam before please warn and inform others, criminals change their tactics to try and catch us out.

For the latest scams alerts as we receive them please add us on Instagram or Facebook.

Kind regards

Victim Safeguarding Officer

How to stay safe from romance fraudsters:

Be suspicious of any requests for money from someone you have never met in person, particularly if you have only recently met online.
Be cautious about how much information about yourself you are sharing online and who you are sharing information with.
Speak to your family or friends to get advice. Fraudsters will subtly isolate you for their own purposes.
Profile photos may not be genuine. Performing a reverse image search can find photos that have been taken from somewhere, or someone, else.

Action Fraud also run the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVU) which provides support and advice to victims of fraud and to help prevent them from being victim to fraud again.

To report fraud to Action Fraud, fill out the online fraud reporting tool or call 0300 123 2040.

We are receiving more reports of renting scams on social media

Kent resident found a room to rent on Facebook and transferred a holding deposit over £500 after seeing pictures. After the deposit was received they received no more information and did not get their money back.

Watch our video on Renting and your Rights as a Tenant here

We have had more reports of Kent residents targeted with investment scams and are now being pressured to hand over more money

Watch The Billion Dollar Scam from BBC to find out how companies used Premier League sponsorship to target unsuspecting football fans.

How to protect yourself from Financial Investment fraud:

Investment opportunities: Don’t be rushed into making an investment.
Remember, legitimate organisations will never pressure you into investing on the spot.
Seek advice first: Before making significant financial decisions, speak with trusted friends or family members, or seek professional independent advice.
FCA register: Use the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) register to check if the company is regulated by the FCA. If you deal with a firm (or individual) that isn’t regulated, you may not be covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) if things go wrong and you lose your money.

If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud or call 0300 123 2040

We have received more reports of Facebook marketplace scams.

Scammers message you to buy the item with condition of seeing proof of posting before they release the funds but the funds never get released.

Learn how to buy and sell responsibly on Facebook Marketplace

Report and advice Citizens Advice consumer helpline 0808 223 1133

Recall for Saugatuck Brewing Co. Neapolitan Milk Stout and Blueberry & Maple Stout sold in Home Bargains due to undeclared milk and oats (gluten)

Product details
Saugatuck Brewing Co. Neapolitan Milk Stout
Pack size: 355ml
Best before: All best before dates

Saugatuck Brewing Co. Blueberry & Maple Stout
Pack size: 355ml
Best before: All best before dates

Advice to consumers
If you have bought the above products and have coeliac disease, an allergy or intolerance to milk and/or oats (gluten) do not drink them. Instead return them to your nearest Home Bargains store for a full refund or contact info@heathwick.com.

Full report here

Hotel Chocolat recalls Hotel Chocolat Choose Your Poison because it may contain pieces of glass

Product Details
Pack size: 160g
Lot number: 23205, 23206, and 23207
Best before: January 2024

Advice to consumers

If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund. For further information contact Hotel Chocolat at help@hotelchocolat.com