Trading Standards Impersonation Fraud

East Riding Council’s Trading Standards Service are warning people of a fraud that is currently circulating. The fraudsters are impersonating Trading Standards by claiming to be from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI).

The fraud involves claims they can help recover money that has been lost but ask for a fee to get it back.

Trading Standards would never request payment from consumers.

CTSI are a private company and membership organisation for trading standards professionals so would not be involved in any enforcement action.

They advise consumers to be extra vigilant and not respond to correspondence carrying CTSI branding, which has nothing to do with the Institute.

CTSI have published a Scam Alert regarding this:- https://www.tradingstandards.uk/news-policy-campaigns/news-room/2023/public-losing-thousands-to-scammers-impersonating-ctsi/.

If you or anyone you know have any concerns please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service by telephone between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday on 0808 223 1133 or online at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/.

Reporting and Support

If you have been a victim and lost money, call 101 and report it to Humberside Police.

Visit fraudwatch.org.uk for more information about fraud and where to get support.

You can also sign up to receive future alerts at alerts.fraudwatch.org.uk.

The full alert can be found on the FraudWatch website here