Residents in Bognor warned about postal scam

The Trading Standards Office want to make people aware of a recent scam originating from Belize.

A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting they were unable to deliver a parcel and you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number).

If you call the number and start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £315 for the phone call.

If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 020 7239 6655.

A chain email about the alleged postal scam is also being circulated on the internet. The email refers to Royal Mail, Trading Standards and ICSTIS (now PhonepayPlus).

PhonepayPlus said the email is outdated and no longer poses a threat as the premium rate number was shut down in December 2005.

PhonepayPlus’ chief executive, Paul Whiteing, said: “We shut this particular service down in 2005, but this chain email has been widely forwarded every year since then – even though the number no longer works and there is no cause for concern.

“We want to reassure consumers that they have no need to worry about this particular scam. However, if you do receive a delivery card through your letterbox which you do not believe is genuine and which asks you to dial a premium rate number (these numbers usually begin with 09), you can contact us on 0800 500 212 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) for further guidance.”

PhonepayPlus advises that, if you receive a copy of the email warning you about the alleged scam, you do not send it on to others, but forward this information instead. Visit www.phonepayplus.org.uk/For-The-Public/FAQ.

For more information, see the Crimestoppers website, www.crimestoppers-uk.org.