If you have a landline in your home be on high alert.
UK police have issued an urgent alert this month and anyone with a landline would be wise to pay close attention. Cyber crooks are currently targeting UK homes with fake phone calls that claim to be from enforcement officers or bank officials. Once the phone is answered, it’s suggested there’s a problem with an account or it’s been hacked with the criminals then telling the victim they need to act fast to stop any financial losses.
The scammers will attempt to extract more personal details including a home address which is then used to send out a courier to collect bank cards from the unsuspecting user – this leads to money being stolen without the account holder ever knowing anything is wrong.
Cash and valuables, such as jewellery, are also being pinched as part of the vicious phone attacks.
It’s a real concern with City of London Police confirming that more than £28.7 million has been lost to courier fraudsters in the last year. Hackers are also attacking the most vulnerable with many of those scammed aged 80 and over – one victim alone is thought to have lost £56,000.
Speaking about the worrying attacks, Detective Sergeant Victoria O’Keefe, from the Lead Force Operations Room at the City of London Police, said: “This is a particularly nasty crime type often resulting in significant psychological harm and financial loss to victims, many of whom are living alone and suffering age-related illness.
“Led by the City of London Police, this operation was a joint effort by forces across England and Wales to intensify activity and jointly crack down on fraudsters who prey upon elderly people by cold calling landlines and posing as police officers and bank officials. Over a two-week period, we worked with colleagues in the Metropolitan Police and teams across England and Wales to proactively arrest offenders and safeguard vulnerable victims.
“Many elderly people rely on their landline phone to stay connected to the outside world and for peace of mind
“If you hear that your friend or loved one is being contacted out of the blue by the police or the bank and asked to withdraw money, handover bank cards or make purchases, report it to the police immediately.”
If you have a landline or are concerned about an elderly relative then police are now urging homes to consider subscribing to call blocker technology which stops the hackers in their tracks.
“Call blockers filter unwanted scam and nuisance calls and stop them from getting through to the person’s landline. The devices allow calls through from a trusted caller list set by the user for friends, family members, doctors and any other trusted contacts,” the police explained.
If you think you have been targeted, it’s a good idea to report it to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Remember, banks will never ask you to return cards or cash via a courier. If you get a call pretending to be from your bank, politely hang up and call the customer service number on the back of your bank card.
