Phone Scam Warning

A scam that left an elderly woman thousands of pounds out of pocket could be operating in Fife.

Fife Trading Standards are reminding householders to stay alert against callers posing as bank staff claiming to have spotted a fraudulent payment on your card. The warning comes after a 65 year old Londoner who, during a series of phone calls, was persuaded to transfer £12,000 into the fraudster’s bank account.

Using a trick known as number spoofing, the phone number on her bank card even appeared on the phone display convincing her it was a genuine call.

Dawn Adamson, Lead Trading Standards Officer explains “UK banks, building societies and card issuers, with the support of the Police, have published a Joint Declaration which clearly explains they will never phone customers to ask for personal information or card details”.

“These scams are organised and highly professional. Spotting whether the call is genuine or fake can be very difficult. If you’re contacted out of the blue and asked for banking or personal details, treat it as a scam and do not provide any information”.

What to do if you have been scammed:

• Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at www.actionfraud.police.uk
• Report it to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland