DON'T FALL FOR A SCAM
Remember
Shred all letters and envelopes showing personal details.
Always check your bank and credit card statements.
Be on your guard when answering the phone - scammers often sound very friendly.
Don't let anyone worry or rush you into parting with your personal details.
Never automatically click on links, or open attachments in unexpected emails or texts.
If you receive a suspicious phone call claiming to be from your bank, utility provider or any official body asking for personal information, hang up and call the company yourself.
If possible use another phone. Or, wait at least five minutes before making a call. This ensures the line is automatically cut off, so you will no longer be speaking to the scammer or an accomplice (learn about courier scams)
If you sign up to a reputable credit rating agency, you will be notified when a credit check has been completed using your details. This will inform you that your identity has been stolen.
Think! If you suspect that you have had your identity stolen, or have become a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and also report it to Action Fraud.
Never rely on the caller ID displayed on the phone as the sole means of identification. Instead, hang up and find the phone number on your account statement, in a phone book, or on the company's or government department's website, to check the call is genuine.
Never answer any questions which might have financial consequences.
ALWAYS HAVE A STRONG PASSWORD AND CHANGE IT REGULARLY.
Only ever buy lottery tickets from trusted websites or retailers.
If you are told you've won a prize for a competition you've never entered, its a scam
If you are asked to call a number to find out what you've won, don't. You could end up being persuaded to pay for delivery of a prize that doesn't exist.
Lottery and prize draw letters are mass-produced. However, modern technology allows scammers to insert the recipient's name many times throughout the text, giving the impression they have written to you personally.
The HMRC do sometimes call people about outstanding tax bills and use automated messages. However, they would always include the tax payers reference number. They would never tell you about a tax rebate or penalty, or ask you for personal payment details.
If you receive a suspicious email or phone call, you can help HMRC's investigations by forwarding the email or sending the following
Your phone number
The callers phone number
the time and date of the call
a brief description of the call
Send to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk (NB; Your email and phone number will be shared with other organisations, if that's necessary, to close down the scam)
Forward suspicious texts to 60599
Tax scams can happen at any time but are most common around key deadlines, such as when your tax return is due.
REMEMBER
*The bank and police NEVER ask for PIN numbers; send couriers to collect bank cards; ask people to move money to another account; ask for help with investigations; or ask for cash or goods to be handed over.
These scams can be intimidating, so don't engage in conversation - hang up.
To confirm any call is genuine, never ring back using a number given to you by the caller.
Scammers are opportunists looking for easy targets.
These are just a few examples on how you can help yourself against being scammed. Although it can be scary reading about scams, be assured that no matter what a scammer might try to make you believe, the truth is they really don't know YOU!
Message Sent By
PCSO 3407 David Madden
(North Wales Police, PCSO, West Conwy)
