Con artists pretend to be Trading Standards officers (From Witney Gazette)

Con artists pretend to be Trading Standards officers

9:30am Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News

CON artists pretending to be Trading Standards officers have attempted to swindle Oxfordshire residents out of cash.

A victim from Headington, who initially lost £1,000 to a rogue trader in 2009, was contacted by someone claiming to be a Trading Standards officer.

According to Oxfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards department the fraudster phoned up and then visited the victim at home.

The bogus officer claimed the original criminals had been convicted and that if the victim made a payment upfront they would get their money back.

During the same month an elderly resident from Botley was also contacted by a man claiming to work for Trading Standards.

The resident was targeted by a rogue trader in 2011 looking to con him out of £18,000.

The victim was told if he transferred £17,200 to a bank account, he would get compensation.

In both cases the victims did not hand over any money and reported the matter to police and trading standards. It is thought to be a new pattern of fraudulent behaviour.

To contact Oxfordshire Trading Standards call 0845 051 0845.