Avoid falling into scammers’ trap
Falling prey to scammers is never nice. Let’s face it, they are criminals plain and simple and they do not have any empathy for you.
http://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/news/columnists/avoid-falling-into-scammers-trap-1-6933186
Alan Stainer I’ve seen exactly what you describe happen.
I’m sitting at my computer at one end of the room when my eldest gets a phone call just like you describe. He then starts to give them the details they want. He didn’t get beyond the first sentence before I grabbed the phone and got rid of the scammer.
One of the problems though is that the scammers are only copying things that perfectly legit organisations also do. HMRC is a good example as they will sometimes phone and ask for various personal details before proceeding. Enough info for a bit of identity theft.
What I have always failed to understand is why these organisations expect us to provide information to prove our identity yet they never do the reverse and supply information to prove their identity.
Yep, it is a problem Ian Dixon. The old gent I helped out said they sounded legit, like they were in a busy office or call centre.
It is entirely conceivable that they are in a call centre, just that they are scamming under the noses of their law abiding bosses. Who can say?
Purely by chance, they are talking about cold callers on Radio 4 right now. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b067x3w1
Don’t forget to mention, to not use the same phone to call a legitimate phone number, as the scammers can keep the line open after you’ve hung up.
That is a very good point.
Nicholas Berry
Just dug out another thread on scammers and it re-iterates what you say.
This is the advice from da boys in blue
If you think you have been a victim of fraud, hang up the phone and wait five minutes to clear the line as fraudsters sometimes keep the line open. Then call your bank or card issuer to report the fraud. Where it is possible use a different phone line to make the phone call.
Another trick to use is to first call a friend because if you get the scammer rather than the friend then it becomes clear that they have pulled th ‘line open’ trick.
Bit more for you all
To report a fraud and receive a police crime reference number, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use our online fraud reporting tool.
Page this is all coming from is http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/news/alert-watch-out-for-council-tax-scam-aug15
Notice the police.uk bit of the url.
It’s from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau which is PC Plod only this is the updated arm who understand digital crime.
Ian Dixon Good advice for all.
Ian Dixon would you mind if I post that on the website later? Can’t do it right now as I am out.
Post away Alan Stainer
If between what me, you and Nicholas Berry have said on this was to get one scammer stopped in their tracks then it is worthwhile.
Spreading it further may well get a few more of them so go ahead.
You may also want to include this page
http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/support-and-prevention/protect-yourself-from-fraud
Most of what it says is really obvious but it really does highlight what the scammers try to pull off.