SCAM Telephone Calls in Ceredigion

Identity thieves and other fraudsters often pose as representatives of banks, credit card companies, creditors, or government departments to get people to reveal their account numbers and other sensitive information. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

​We have received reports that scammers are actively engaged in these activities in our local area. These callers may appear to call from local familiar numbers – e.g. 01239, 01970, 01545, 01570, 01559, 01267 etc. However, this information can be faked or spoofed. So do not rely on this information alone. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Never give out your personal information in response to an incoming call, or rely upon the Caller ID as the sole means of identification, particularly if the caller asks you to carry out an action which might have financial consequences. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If someone rings you asking for this information, don’t provide it. Instead, hang up and call the phone number on your account statement, in the phone book, or on the company’s or government department’s website to check whether the call was genuine. Wait at least five minutes before making the call – this ensures the line has cleared and you’re not still speaking to the fraudster or an accomplice. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

I think I’ve been a victim of Caller ID spoofing? ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

1. Tell Action Fraud
If you have been targeted by a scam, or know someone who has then call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk. Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and internet crime. However, if debit cards, online banking or cheques are involved in the scam your first step should to contact your bank or credit card company. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

2. Tell Trading Standards
If you think something may be a scam, please email tradingstandards@ceredigion.gov.uk or phone the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06 (English language service) or 03454 04 05 05 (Welsh language service), who can pass details of the case on to Trading Standards. The Trading Standards service is responsible for protecting consumers and the community against rogue traders and traders acting unfairly. More information can be found at http://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/English/business/trading-standards/consumer-advice/scams/Pages/default.aspx ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

3. Tell others
Warn family, friends, neighbours, the local Neighbourhood Watch scheme etc. If you get a suspicious circular or are contacted by someone you think may be a scammer, make sure you tip off others. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Further Reading:
OFCOM Guidance on Caller ID Spoofing: http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/phone/tackling-nuisance-calls-and-messages/phone-spoof-scam/
Action Fraud: http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/individuals ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​