Scams and fraud
Childminders should take care not to fall victim to a
number of scams circulating.
For example, NCMA has heard of childminders who have received an
email from someone claiming to be a parent returning from abroad
and looking for a childminder. They may attach information such as
photographs or copies of official-looking documents to make them
seem more trustworthy.
When making a booking, the "parent" will make out a cheque
for far too much and, when the childminder gets in touch to point
out the error, they may suggest that the childminder writes them a
cheque refunding the difference. The "parent" will then cash the
refund cheque before the childminder realises that the original
cheque has bounced.
If you receive an email like this, you should report it. You can
complete a simple online
form (external link) at the Consumer Direct website.
Consumer Direct shares the information you provide with the Office
of Fair Trading and Trading Standards. You can also forward a
suspected scam email for investigation to email@actionfraud.org.uk. The
emails received by Action Fraud will be forwarded to the National
Fraud Intelligence Bureau run by the City of London Police for
collation and analysis. This will enable crucial intelligence to be
gathered and preventative action to be taken. The activity will
seek to disrupt the fraudsters and close down the links between
them and the victim.
Doorstep scams
Another example is a card through the door claiming that a
parcel is awaiting collection. The number printed on the card to
call for more details is a premium rate number and a long, recorded
message ensures a large phone bill. If you're in doubt about any
premium rate telephone number you're asked to call, you can visit
the PhonePayPlus
website, the regulatory body for the premium rate products
and services you can buy through your landline phone bill or mobile
phone account.
These are, unfortunately, just a couple of examples of many
scams around - many of which resurface year after year. The Office
of Fair Trading produces a leafet called Scambuster which
details how to regocnise scams. This gives some useful
guidance and numbers to call if you think someone is trying to scam
you.
As a general guide, if something sounds too good to be true - it
probably is!