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Scammers pretending to be clairvoyants or spiritual guides are trying to get money out of local residents by playing on any bad luck or times of hardship they may have faced.
Trading Standards said staff have been made aware of a number of letters sent from people calling themselves Christofero, Walter B Honurus, Laurella or Carmen although other names may also be used.
These letters are intended to convince you that you have a problem they can solve using their spiritual powers, however they are believed to be fraudsters.
In a statement, Trading Standards said:
"The four people mentioned above do not exist and the letters are actually sent out by criminal organisations. Any money sent to them will go to these criminals and any promised rituals will not take place. You may receive small items such as charms, talismans or personalised booklets but these will not have any special powers and will be worth far less than the money you will have paid for them. The people behind these mailings do not believe in what they are claiming and their activities are purely based on extracting money from their victims rather than providing spiritual help."
Trading Standards also said this warning is "in no way intended to discourage anyone from interacting on their own terms with legitimate religious or spiritual advisers and organisations" but they want all residents to be aware of the risk.
Pictured: File image.
There has also been a spate of reports of an insurance scam, with people saying they've received phone calls for selling cover for white goods such as cookers, refrigerators or washing machines.
Trading Standards said this insurance "is often overpriced and unsuitable and even if you try to make a valid claim you may not receive any money. Many of the callers are not licensed to sell insurance in either the UK or Guernsey and people who respond to them are likely to be contacted again, whether by the same company or by other companies, for further payments".
It's feared these callers may be deliberately targeting elderly people and those who have previously been victims of scams.
Trading Standards added that if you wish to insure your white goods you should make your own enquiries with a range of licensed insurance companies, whether you take out insurance at the time you purchase the goods or arrange insurance afterwards. If you are offered insurance then you should take your time when making a decision to make sure that the company offering insurance is legitimate and that you are getting the policy that is right for your circumstances. If anyone pressures you into making an immediate decision then that is a clear indication that they may not be trading fairly.
If you think you have been targeted by either of these scams then you can contact Trading Standards for advice on 234567. If you have lost money then contact Guernsey Police on 725111.
Pictured top: File image.
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