Reports that directors of failed funeral firm Safe Hands ‘helped themselves’ to £60 million trust money ahead of regulation being imposed has set alarm bells ringing in the industry. On July 29, 2022, firms who offer pre-paid funeral plans will be regulated by the Government’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Those firms which decline to be […]
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CHECKACO NEWS: check out the builders first if you plan to use them to construct an extension on your home (or you could end up with £100,000 bill like this MP)
Many people have engaged builders to extend their homes after being stuck inside with the Covid lockdowns and a need to work from home and create a professional office space. Having an extension can increase the value of your home and create more space making it a more attractive place to live – but beware. […]
CHECKACO NEWS: Beware of that invoice that arrives by email – it might be a scam
An email arrives on the family computer for a small amount of money from a DIY store requesting payment. Nothing unusual in that – in a busy life invoices come in for all manner of expenses and it’s always best to pay them promptly. Except this one, writes Harry Mottram. The invoice in question is […]
CHECKACO NEWS UPDATE: the perils of giving credit to firms as a sole trader
If only there had been Checkaco a few years ago when I worked as a graphic designer in the 1990s. During a short period of a few months a number of clients – all limited companies – went bust owing me just short of £20,000. They all seemed so professional. A magazine publisher, a private […]
CHECKACO NEWS UPDATE: the £3.2 million that Katie Price’s company owes in tax and to the public who paid for goods
Katie Price’s business is shut down owing millions to suppliers and members of the public who won’t get all of their money back. Much has been written about the demise of the glamour model Katie Price’s business which as a limited company is a separate entity from her personally. For the record her company Jordan […]
CHECKACO NEWS: Young people make up 70% of online cryptocurrency scams
People under 45 make the vast majority of victims of cryptocurrency fraud. Duped by fake adverts on social media promoting cryptocurrencies and meme stocks they are quickly fleeced by fraudsters who have no intention of investing the victims’ cash. Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis often has his name falsely linked to the adverts as are […]
CHECKACO NEWS: beware of the fake aid websites claiming to raise cash for Ukrainian refugees – we list the ones to avoid and the official ones helping to save lives
Fraudsters are pretending to raise funds for Ukraine by creating websites using the name of the country in the title in an attempt to fool people into donating to them. Unfortunately, all the money goes to criminals. Look out for these as they are fraudulent: help-for-ukraine.eu, tokenukraine.com, supportukraine.today, and ukrainesolidarity.org. These and many more have […]
CHECKACO NEWS: VAT fraudster arrested in Spain after nine years on the run
Sarah Panitzke was arrested in Santa Barbara in Spain while walking her dogs this week. The unremarkable looking 47-year-old woman was one of Britain’s most wanted criminals having skipped the UK after being convicted of a phone tax fraud in 2013. Born in Spain but brought up in England Panitzke was the bookkeeper and administrator […]
The Madbird con that saw victims end up in debt after working for free for a fantasist
There are such things as fake jobs where fake recruitment agencies contact workers to tell them they have been offered a new job abroad on a large salary only to be stung for arrangement fees before the victim sets off to join their new employer. However, the BBC has exposed something that perhaps could only […]
CHECKACO NEWS: be careful when buying from an unofficial ticket company for football tickets as your cash may not be refunded if the game is postponed – as shown in this case
There was a time when you went to a football match and paid a fiver as you went through the turnstile and maybe splashed out on a pie and a Bovril once in the ground. Tickets for a Liverpool, Manchester City or Arsenal game are between £50 and £80 but if you choose a hospitality […]