Police in Cumbria are using bus stop adverts to step up their warnings to people about scam phone calls from fraudsters.
Officers have launched a campaign in the run-up to Christmas as criminals may use a traditionally busy time of the year to target people when they may be distracted.
The ads are being run across Carlisle and Barrow throughout December and contain the message: “Don’t be taken in by a friendly voice. Phone fraudsters use trust to steal.”
The idea is to warn people of a scam using the phone.
This scam often fits the pattern of fraudsters pretending to be officials, such as bank fraud teams, police officers or HMRC officials.
The scams can differ slightly from call to call.
But the fraudsters often request bank details, money to be sent electronically, cash to be withdrawn at the bank for collection or expensive items to be bought for collection at a later time.
Detective Constable Claire Keyes said: “The fraudsters who carry out these offences are very persuasive, very friendly and extremely good at making you believe their story.
“But police and other agencies would never request this.
“If you have any concern that the person on the phone may be a fraudster, put the phone down and call the police from a different phone on 101 for advice and guidance.”
Officers are asking anyone who has been victim to such a scam to come forward.
If you receive a call you’re not expecting, you should be suspicious. The vital things to remember are that your bank, other agencies and the police would:
- Never ask you for your bank account details or PIN number over the phone.
- Never ask you to withdraw money and send it to them via a courier, taxi, bank transfer or by any other means.
- Never ask you to send your bank cards or any other personal property to them via courier, taxi or by any other means.
- If you have any doubts about the identity of the person that you are speaking with, put the phone down and attend the bank or police station in person, wherever possible, to discuss the call you have received, or call a trusted number for the bank or police using a different telephone than the one that you have been contacted on.
- It’s recommended you wait at least five minutes and make sure you can hear a dialling tone before you call, as there have been cases of fraudsters keeping the line open after a victim has hung up.
DC Keyes added: “Not everyone sees the warnings we put out – so we’d ask people to please share this information with any vulnerable friends or family.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “Scammers are experts in gaining your trust and convincing people that they are from legitimate companies and organisations.
“Through their persuasion, they are able to scam innocent victims out of thousands of pounds, which is why it’s so important that we continue to educate the public on how to spot and prevent these scams.
“Anyone can fall for these scams so I would urge anyone to read up on the tips and advice provided by the police to spot any suspicious behaviour and, if you believe you have been targeted by one of these criminals, please report it to the police on 101.
“Remember: if you have any doubts, hang up the phone.”
If you think you have been the victim of a fraud you can report this to police on 101. Always use 999 in an emergency.