29
Aug
2014
By Calvin at 12:30 GMT, 9 years ago
Huge thanks to Graham Houghton, friend of this website, for bringing our attention to this important information.
The following information has relevance to all of us and some sharing would be appreciated
Press Release:
Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police are urging people to beware of a telephone scam in North Worcestershire following four incidents in Redditch in the past 48 hours. The fraud involves a cold caller pretending to be a police officer and then either urging them to hand their bank card over to a courier or taxi driver, or asking them to telephone their bank.
Victims may be asked to ring the number on the back of their card, thereby further persuading them the call is genuine. However, the scammer keeps the line open so that the victim unknowingly talks to another member of the gang, posing as a bank employee. If you do get such a call hang up immediately and dial 999 using another phone.
Inspector Jill Fowler, of West Mercia Police said: “We are exploring any potential links between incidents and some of these include phone calls from an officer claiming to be PC Bradshaw from West Mercia Police. Scammers may use a variety of names and pretend to be from different police forces. Please remember police officers and banks will never ask for account details or PINs over the phone and they would never visit your house to collect your cards or property.”
Please note
Police and banks never ask for your PIN or bank card
Never give your PIN or bank card to anyone
If you are contacted by someone who asks for these, hang up
Use a different line to report the call to police on 101 or allow at least five minutes for the line to automatically clear
Call 999 if the crime is actually taking place
Anyone with any information is asked to contact West Mercia Police on telephone 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website www.crimestoppers-uk.org
