All areas general

Morning all.

Please see details below of a method being used by mobile phone call/ text scam artists. Of note is the use of a false UK landland number to lull the victim into a false sense of security.

Mobile phone users are asked not to accept a UK contact number as proof that a mobile phone cold-caller is genuine as 'fake' UK landline numbers can be used by fraudsters to mask their overseas location.

Police are aware of a number of 'scam' texts and phone calls designed to trick members of the public into making payments for non-existent services, such as Payment Protection Insurance compensation and computer fault repair.

A phone call or text is received by the mobile phone, using a UK landland number for the potential victim to call back to find out more. However, such landline numbers can in fact be based overseas and are not proof that the caller is genuine.

If such a call or text is a scam the fraudster is likely to be based overseas, despite the appearance of the landline number offered.

The scam caller will then ask for a 'U-Cash' voucher or similar to be used for payment to be made for services which do not exist.

Police would always recommend that members of the public who wish to use the services of a firms such as Payment Protection Insurance recovery company or a computer repair company do so by seeking a personally recommended and/ or reputable and established firm.

Anyone who has lost money to a scam like this should report it by contacting police on 0845 600 8000 and also using the Action Fraud website (www.actionfraud.police.uk). Members of the public who were not a victim but aware of an attempted fraud should use the Action Fraud service directly.
Further guidance -
Advice to avoid computer software service/ repair scam calls -

• Computer firms do not make unsolicited phone calls to help you fix your computer. Fraudsters make these phone calls to try to steal from you and damage your computer with malware. Treat all unsolicited phone calls with scepticism and don’t give out any personal information.
• Computer firms tend not to send out unsolicited communication about security updates, although they do send security software updates to subscribers of the security communications program. If in doubt, don’t open the email.
• Microsoft does not request credit card information to validate copies of Windows. Microsoft does validate requests to download software from its website via its ‘Genuine Advantage Program’, but never asks for any personally identifying information, including credit card details.
• The ‘Microsoft Lottery’ does not exist.

Thanks and regards,

Colin