Police warn of bank charges scam

Police are appealing for people to be on their guard against fraudsters after an elderly widow was conned out of £175.

A company calling themselves ‘Reclaim Express’ contacted the woman, who is in her eighties and from Grange area, and told her that she was due £3017 back in bank charges.

She was then advised they would claim the money back on her behalf but there would be an administration fee of £175, which she would not have to pay until she had received her money.

She was told to obtain a UKASH voucher, which is available in many local stores, to the value of £175 and then re-contact them to provide the voucher number in order to check the money was present. Once checked, she would receive her money and she would need to send them the voucher to enable them to claim the £175.

UKASH is a genuine service that works as an internet money transfer scheme, and it is the voucher number which is needed to claim the money and not the physical voucher. Therefore the money has been withdrawn from the victims account but she has received no payments from Reclaim Express.

PC Neil Parkin said: “We want to warn people to be vigilant against calls from companies offering bank charges back for a fee. If anyone believes they are due bank charges, then we would advise them to contact their own bank or local established law firm.

“If anyone is using the UKASH voucher scheme, then they should only give the voucher number to people who they trust and who they want the money to go to and would advise that they treat these vouchers as they would cash.”

Please pass this warning on to elderly or vulnerable friends, neighbours and relatives so that they do not fall foul of these scams. If you have any doubts to the validity of anyone’s identification please call Cumbria Constabulary on 0845 3300 247 and an officer will be more than willing to give advice on the issue.

For further information about protecting yourself from financial crime contact the Action Fraud hotline on 0300 123 2040, or visit www.actionfraud.org.uk.