Offices raided in fraud probe (From This Is Lancashire)

Offices raided in fraud probe

6:00am Monday 15th March 2010 in

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COMPUTER equipment and documents have been seized from a Bolton office as part of an investigation into an alleged cold-calling fraud.

Officers from Bolton Trading Standards have been working with colleagues from Blackpool Trading Standards on the investigation into the practices of Telesales People Limited, following hundreds of complaints.

Cold-calling staff are alleged to have enticed customers to hand over credit and debit card details by promising them that they were going to be given money back after being mis-sold payment protection insurance.

But some say that up to £150 has been taken from their bank accounts without their knowledge.

Trading Standards investigators have now raided offices in Caunce Street, Blackpool, and Newport Street, Bolton, seizing computer equipment, software and documents as part of their investigation.

A spokesman for Bolton Trading Standards confirmed: “We assisted officers from Blackpool Trading Standards in the raids. Two computers and a quantity of paperwork was seized.”

Trading Standards chiefs said more than 300 complaints had been received about the firm.

A spokesman added: “It is possible hundreds more people have also been targeted but have not reported it.

“The investigation is currently ongoing and we are looking into both hardware and software from computers seized from offices in Blackpool and Bolton. We are also looking at a large amount of paperwork.

“It is important to get the word out to people that these allegations have been made and for members of the public to be vigilant.”

The investigation centres around alleged incidents under the Unfair Trading Regulations Act 2008 and the Fraud Act 2006.

No arrests have been made.

TPL refused to comment.

People can call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.