How to spot fake sellers of calendars in france

WARNINGS ISSUED AFTER THE NUMBER OF SCAMS BEGINS TO RISE ONCE AGAIN The public are being warned to beware of fraudsters posing as calendar sellers during the festive season. Scammers

pretending to be public service workers selling calendars for a charitable donation are keeping the money themselves, or also using the sale as a way to divert your attention and steal from

you. Several thefts are reported to have taken place across France in recent weeks. The Gendarmerie de l’Aveyron posted a warning to its residents on Facebook on November 16, stating that 10

Aveyron residents have already reported to the gendarmerie that they have fallen victim to the scam. “In our department, several elderly people have already been victims of these crooks who

at best robbed them a few dozens of euros and for the most unfortunate several hundreds,” it said. In the commune of Saint-Aygulf, near Fréjus (Var), residents have been victims of such

scams for several years. "We have been caught out twice... But it is always the same, they take advantage of our old age. We can’t open our front door to anyone anymore." Nicole

Boyer, a victim of these scams told _France 3_. Meanwhile, the Mairie d’Acy Romance, a small town located near Rethel (Ardennes), highlighted the “current increase in burglaries related to

the fake sale of calendars in the municipality”, in a post on Facebook. They have asked their residents to alert their neighbours and call 17 if they notice something suspicious or out of

the ordinary. WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR The fire brigade, postal workers and street cleaners are the only groups authorised to sell calendars in public areas in France. The police recommend that

you ask visitors for an official carte professionnelle, and never invite them into your home. These workers tend to sell calendars to the residents of their municipality and do so dressed in

uniform. However the uniforms of street cleaners are easy to fake so be sure that jackets have logos on them and are not just fluorescent vests. READ MORE: WATCH OUT FOR FAKE OFFICIALS AND

AID SCAMS AFTER STORMS IN FRANCE People are advised against giving out personal details such as that they live alone, or will be away from home at Christmas. Generally buyers can donate the

amount of their choice for these calendars, so be suspicious if the seller insists on a fixed amount. If the person becomes insistent or threatening, or if any behaviour seems suspicious,

call 17 or 112. READ ALSO WARNING AS ‘BLACK COMPUTER SCREEN’ SCAM TARGETS PEOPLE IN FRANCE SEVEN MUCH-USED SCAMS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN FRANCE