New Telephone Scam
South Gloucestershire Trading Standards would like to remind residents to be vigilant when dealing with unexpected telephone calls, after receiving reports of a new scam.
The calls are coming from a mobile number and a 0161 number may also be associated with the scam. The callers tells the resident that they are calling from their local council and proceeds to ask questions about home ownership, amongst other things.
Reports suggest that most residents have realised the call is a possible scam and have hung up, so Trading Standards officers have yet to discover the true purpose of the call.
Please remember, if you receive an unexpected telephone call to treat it with suspicion. You do not know who the caller is or that what they are saying is genuine or truthful. If they ask for personal details, financial details or money HANG UP immediately.
If the caller is trying to sell you goods or services and you are interested in those products, request the details in writing. Any genuine company will be happy to do this.
You can report any suspicious telephone call to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via their website, www.actionfraud.police.uk.
If you receive a lot of nuisance phone calls and have fallen for a telephone scam in the past, or you may have a condition that makes dealing with these calls difficult, you may qualify for South Gloucestershire Council Trading Standards’ call blocker project. Trading Standards have a small number of telephone call blocking units which, when installed, can help reduce the number of nuisance phone calls someone receives. For further details, please contact Charlotte Allard on 01454 864570.
