Update : Online Fraud or Scams Concern

Dear Resident,

I just wanted to share with you a scam telephone call, recently received by a Herts Connected Member, which is very well explained. Thank you for allowing us to circulate.

"I have just had a call from a DC Michaels-willow  WR 7314, New Scotland Yard serious fraud office regarding someone called Timothy Munford (not known to me) who had a card registered to me at my address. As I am his grandmother I’d given permission for him to use it. He was apparently trying to obtain £750 worth of goods from Argos South west London and has been arrested, I have been a victim of section 14.

When I asked for a crime reference number he wasn’t able to give me one as I don’t live in London and would have to report it to my local police force. He kindly put me through to the 999 operator, who transferred me to Hitchin police department.

During the call, which I have to say albeit very random was very convincing, a few red flags started to trigger.

- if someone is under arrest, why would I not be given a crime reference number?

- the 999 operator sounded like the original man putting on a voice

- I was put through to Hitchin police station

I told the ‘Hitchin’ officer that I wasn’t sure what was going on so I was going to hang up only she hung up first, I’m sure they wouldn’t do that and I didn’t get a call back to see if I was in danger and needed help.

I called the metropolitan police station (with some help from Stevenage Police Station) to verify if the officer actually existed and was informed it was a scam. I assume if I had carried on talking to the ‘Hitchin officer’ she would at some stage ask for my card / bank details.

Whilst waiting for the metropolitan station I checked my bank account and my credit report to see if funds were pending or other cards had been issued in my name. Nothing apparent.

The scammers apparently pick landlines because there is a higher chance that it will be an elderly person that potentially won’t question what is going on and give out details enabling the scammers to steal every penny you have.

Sadly Rav didn’t turn up on my doorstep to help me out, I had to do it myself.

Be careful, of the scammers out there!

Special thanks to Stevenage Police and The Metropolitan Police."

To report an incident of cybercrime or fraud and for further information visit the Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) website here UK's Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud - Report Fraud. 

Please also have a look at the advice on the Hertfordshire Constabulary web pages here.

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