Police Warning Over Scams

Dyfed Powys Police is warning homeowners to be aware of a new approach being taken by scammers to carry out vishing scams.

Fraudsters phoning victims telling them they are calling to let them know they have been placed in the wrong council tax bracket for a number of years and they are entitled to a rebate. They normally say this should be worth £7,000.

Once the victim is convinced, the fraudster tells them that in order to receive the rebate they will need to pay an administration fee in advance; the payment they ask for varies between £60-350. The victim provides the details and makes the payment, but then is no longer able to make contact with the person they spoke to on the phone.

When they phone their council about the rebate and the fact that they are in the wrong tax bracket, the council will confirm that they know nothing about it and that they have been contacted by fraudsters.

DI Anthony Evans, of Dyfed Powys Police’s Financial Crime Team, said: “The fraudsters have been targeting over 60s and it is likely the scam will spread across the UK.

“We have a large older population in Dyfed Powys making it important that they, their families and carers are aware of the dangers of such scams and provide them with the advice and support they need to avoid being scammed.

“Other scams to be aware of often come from people purporting to be police officers, bank workers or phone and internet providers.”

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has received 16 reports of this particular scam since July.

How to protect yourself:

·         Never respond to unsolicited phone calls

·         Your local council won’t ever phone out-of-the-blue to discuss a council tax rebate, if you receive a call of this nature, put the phone down straight away.

·         No legitimate organisation will ask you to pay an advanced fee in order receive money; so never give them your card details.

·         If you think you have been a victim of fraud, hang up the phone and wait five minutes to clear the line as fraudsters sometimes keep the line open. Then call your bank or card issuer to report the fraud. Where it is possible use a different phone line to make the phone call.

To report a fraud and receive a police crime reference number, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use their online fraud reporting tool.

You can now also sign up for free to Action Fraud Alert to receive direct, verified, accurate information about scams and fraud in your area by email, recorded voice and text message.