Friday 4 October 2013

Police warn public in relation to cold-calling scam

Police are warning members of the public to be vigilant following reports of cold-calling in the South Cumbria area.

Police were called yesterday on two separate incidents where a member of the public had received a phone call where the caller requested that they ring their credit card company immediately as money  has been withdrawn and that they need to stop it. The person receiving the call will hang up and dial their credit card holder on the same phone, whilst the fraudster who is on the other end has not hung up the call.

The call then goes straight to the fraudster and they will have passes the phone to an associate who will attempt to take down the victim’s security details. Police want to make the public aware that if you are called and the caller does not hang up, the line will stay active for 2-5 minutes and the call will go to the fraudsters.

The phone calls were made at 11.20pm on the 2nd October and before 9am on the 3rd October. On both occasions the caller’s voice was described as a male’s voice with a Scottish accent.

Sharon Livesey, South Cumbria Community Safety Officer, said: “We would ask that members of the public take great care when speaking about financial information over the phone. If you receive a suspicious call requesting you to contact your bank, we advise you do this by using a different phone and on a number you know to be correct for your bank.”

Anyone who believes they have been a victim is asked to contact Cumbria Police on 101 or alternatively report this to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. For more information about scams visit www.actionfraud.org.uk.

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