EVESHAM residents are being warned to be on their guard after county trading standards chiefs closed a scam website which could still potentially see residents significantly out of pocket.
An illegal website under the name of Evesham company Bidwell Boats had been set up, cloning the genuine details of the High Street business.
The scam site advertised various boats for sale at a cost of thousands of pounds. The fraudsters asked potential purchasers to bank transfer funds for the purchase of the boat in question before the delivery process began.
No name or telephone number was given to the purchaser, with all correspondence taking place via email.
Peter Holmes, senior trading standards officer for Worcestershire County Council, said: “Our preliminary enquiries would indicate that www.bidwellboats.com has no connection with the business Bidwell Boats Ltd based in Evesham.
“I would urge all consumers to never part with large sums of money for goods or services unless they have seen the goods in question or have carried out background checks into the business they are dealing with.”
Coun Lucy Hodgson, cabinet member for Communities, added: “This case is a primary example of how hard our Trading Standards team continue to work to protect the people of Worcestershire against illegal and fraudulent activities and those who ignore the law.”
Anyone who has been a victim of an online scam is asked to call the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 040506 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk
