Highland trading standards warning over new phone scam

MEMBERS of the public across the north are being urged to be on their guard over reports of a new telephone scam.

Highland Council trading standards staff say it takes the form of an unexpected call at your place of work, purporting to be from your bank. There is a sense of urgency about the call and it refers to previous letters sent and that you are due money.

As is usual with scam calls, the callers are attempting to gain personal information, particularly financial details.

Trading standards staff offer the following advice:

• If the call is unexpected be very aware
• Never give out any information
• The best advice is to simply put the phone down
• If you are unsure, contact your bank fraud team by another phone line and ask them

Mark McGinty, trading standards team leader, said: “We all know that at this time of year many of us are thinking about Christmas, what needs done at home, what needs buying, and also what needs done at work before the holidays. It is a busy time and of course the scammers know this only too well.

“My advice would be to simply end the call without saying a word. If the reason is real, any legitimate business will attempt to contact you in a different way.

“I would urge anyone who suspects a scam to contact trading standards or Police Scotland with what they know.

“And finally, please don’t attempt to outsmart a scammer on the phone. They are usually well trained, professional at what they do, and will leave with something of yours.”

Anyone who has been approached by scammers, or thinks they are a victim of a scam, should report it to Police Scotland on 101 or trading standards on 01463 644570. Free and confidential advice is also available from Consumeradvice.scot, a dedicated consumer advice service.

It can be contacted on 0808 164 6000 or by email at advice@consumeradvice.scot, or on Facebook

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