Kent Trading Standards warn residents about bogus Trading Standards officers

Kent Trading Standards are warning residents about criminals pretending to be Trading Standards officers to defraud vulnerable victims out of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

How it works

• The criminal visits or calls residents who have previously been victims of crime claiming to be a Trading Standards officer using false identification.
• They tell the resident that following a Trading Standards investigation into their previous complaint they are entitled to compensation.
• They tell the resident they need to pay some money to release the compensation awarded by the Court.
• Some residents are being told they must also pay the VAT that wasn't paid from the original crime

What to do

• Tell the caller you need to speak to a friend or relative and hang up.
• If they are at your door politely say you need to speak to a friend or relative and close the door.

REMEMBER: Trading Standards will NEVER ask for cash and you would NEVER be asked to pay money to receive compensation.

WARNING: Telephone callers may insist you hang up and check their ID by calling a number they give to you. This is part of the fraud. Criminals stay on the line and pretend to be Trading Standards to verify the caller. Report these calls to Kent Police at your local Police station.

Residents that have previously been victims of doorstep crime are particularly at risk so please warn neighbours, friends and/or relatives if you think they may be targeted.