Cold calling scam - Friday 26th June, 2020

Residents have reported that an individual has been cold calling stating that they are a council worker assessing the validity of installed 'lifelines' in consumers' homes.

Once in the home, the individual makes conversation regarding fake money in circulation. Consumers have then given money to the individual for them to check if they are counterfeit. The individual then makes an excuse to leave the room and leaves with the money.

Always check identification, confirm with the company the reason for any visit and if you are in doubt, do not open the door.

To report any concerns or for free advice and guidance, please call 0808 223 1133.

HMRC scam warning - Thursday, 11 June, 2020
Action Fraud are aware of scammers claiming to be from HMRC offering financial support as a result of coronavirus.

If you receive an email, text or call claiming to be from HMRC that asks you to click on a link or give information such as your name, credit card or bank details, it's a scam.

Don't forget you should forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk; and suspicious text messages can be forwarded to "7726" which spells SPAM on your telephone keypad.

DWP scam warning - Thursday, 4 June, 2020
Action Fraud are continuing to see examples of emails and texts sent by fraudsters purporting to be from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The DWP will never text or email asking for your personal information or bank details.
Do not click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails and never respond to unsolicited messages and calls that ask for personal or financial details.

If you are expecting a call from the DWP on your online benefit application, DWP work coaches will leave you a message in your online journal to let you know.

NHS Test and Trace guidance - Monday, 1 June, 2020
Unfortunately, criminals will exploit every opportunity they can to defraud innocent people of their money, or steal their personal details.

It is important to remember that NHS Test and Trace will never ask you for any form of payment or any passwords or PINs. They will also never ask you to download anything, ask any details about your bank account or send someone to your home.

Whilst it is possible for criminals to spoof official phone numbers, they cannot fake official website addresses. We would encourage anyone with concerns about a phone call, text message or email they have received, in relation to Test and Trace, to check the website address being provided to you carefully. If possible, type the official address, which will be

https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk

followed by unique characters given to you, directly into your browser.

Test and Tracer callers will NEVER

• ask you to dial a premium rate number to speak to us (for example, those starting 09 or 087)
• ask you to make any form of payment or purchase a product or any kind
• ask for any details about your bank account
• ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts
• ask you for any passwords or PINs, or ask you to set up any passwords or PINs over the phone
• disclose any of your personal or medical information to your contacts
• provide medical advice on the treatment of any potential coronavirus symptoms
• ask you to download any software to your PC or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet to anyone else

Reporting rogue emails and texts
Don't forget, if you think you have been sent a scam email on any subject, you can forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk, or if a text message, please forward to 7726 which spells "Spam" on your mobile keypad.

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