Alert over Phone Scam
Inverclyde Council is warning people to be aware of a phone scam following hoax calls to households offering council tax refunds.
Fraudsters call claiming to be carrying out a review on banding and ask for bank details in order to pay a refund.
Communities Convener Councillor Jim Clocherty said: “This is yet another example of con-artists trying to catch people off guard in the hope they will hand over confidential information.
“These fraudsters are known to have tried the same trick in Aberdeen, Dunoon and the Highlands & Islands over the past few months and it seems they are now trying their luck here in Inverclyde.
“The simple advice is never give anyone your bank details or other sensitive information over the phone. The Council would never cold-call you to offer a refund and certainly a bank or building society would never ask for your full personal or security details.”
This month is National Scams Awareness Month and Citizens Advice and trading standards offices across the UK, are sending out strong beware of being scammed messages by saying 'Play your part, act on scams'
Research has shown that 45 -60 year olds are most impacted, and by a wide range of scams, often losing large amounts of money. But there is also a disturbing rise in the number of 18-24 year-olds being scammed – and this is the group least likely to report a scam.
Councillor Clocherty added: “Scams come in all shapes and sizes – from the rogue trader charging for unwanted and badly done driveways to the fake, and potentially life threatening products, bought on-line.
“Throw into that mix email scams with non-existent lottery wins that demand payment up front, and are followed up by an endless stream of more and more threatening scam mail, and investment opportunities that are based on thin air and can rob someone of their life savings, and the picture becomes grim.
“People need to be more aware of how they could be scammed, and to report it if they get caught out. With so many vulnerable being snagged by scammers there is no reason to be embarrassed – and every reason to report incidents and help the authorities put a stop to it.”
Leon Livermore, Chartered Trading Standards Institute chief executive said: "Too many people are suffering from being scammed in silence and criminals getting away with their money – in some cases to the point where the victim need to sell their very home to pay them off. This campaign to raise awareness is vital –and we want people to not only report on being scammed but to look out for each other."
Know of a scam, or being scammed – be scam aware and call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.
Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)
CTSI is a training and membership group that has represented the interests of the Trading Standards profession since 1881 nationally and internationally.
CTSI’s members are engaged in delivering frontline trading standards services in local authorities and in businesses.