NHW: They’re at it Again…

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Hello everyone,

Although perhaps not for a while, I know that I have sent similar information in the past relating to this kind of activity but I have just received the message below from our local police force. In view of the recent reports of this scam taking place in Devon and Cornwall suggesting increasing activity by fraudsters, I thought a gentle reminder might not go amiss.

This message also gives useful advice on what to do in the event of contact by these people and also steps you can take if you have already handed vital personal information over to them and need to try and stop things going further.

Thanks,

Michael

Scam calls from fraudsters purporting to be from a bank/building society 


We ask for residents to continue to be vigilant of the scam in which residents are contacted by unexpected telephone calls from bogus callers claiming to be from their bank/fraud department/police, as we have received a number of recent reports in Devon & Cornwall.

The fraudsters claim the victim’s bank account has had fraudulent activity, or similar, and they need to urgently transfer their money – if you receive a call like this hang up the call immediately and do not provide any of your bank details.  

·  Any police, bank or fraud department will never ask for your PIN or to transfer or withdraw money – If you receive a call like this it is a scam, please hang up the call immediately and do not give any information.

·  If you need to contact your bank please wait at least 5-10 minutes for the line to clear before making a call, or clear the line by phoning a friend/family member, or make the call on a different phone to the one you were contacted on.

·  If you have already given your bank details over the phone or handed your card details to a courier, call your bank straight away – phone 159 to reach your bank’s fraud department directly.

Please then also report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040 and contact Devon & Cornwall Police on 101 or via the website.

Message from Linzi Berryman
(Police Alert Officer, Devon & Cornwall)