Trading Standards Warn Of Latest Telephone Scam

Caerphilly Trading Standards are again warning residents to be aware of a telephone scam from callers stating they are from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Members of the public have contacted Trading Standards over recent days to report the calls, with the caller claiming that there is a lawsuit against the resident. They are then asked to press one to continue with the call. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Fortunately, residents have heeded previous warnings, realised it was a scam and hung up. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Over recent months, Trading Standards have also received complaints about callers claiming to be from official bodies asking for payment for things such as council tax, parking tickets, tax rebates – and these latest complaints stating they are from HMRC – all wanting residents to give their personal bank details. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Trading Standards would advise residents who receive an unexpected call to never confirm their name or address or give out bank details. Simply either end the call or ask that the caller put it in writing – if the call is genuine they will have the address details in their records. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Residents who think they may have received such a call or given bank or personal details should please contact Trading Standards on 01495 235 291 or visit www.caerphilly.gov.uk/tradingstandards ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​