Telephone scam warning issued by North Wales Police

North Wales Police are warning the public to be wary and alert to a particular fraud that is instigated by an unsolicited telephone call.

Police say victims in Flintshire have been receiving telephone calls informing them they are owed £3,000 by HM Government but in order to claim this amount they need to purchase Itunes cards from W.H. Smith.

Serial Numbers from the Itunes cards are then passed to scammers over the phone who then use the details to purchase high value items.

Calls are thought to have been made from abroad and W.H Smith are aware of the scam. At least one lady, aged in her 80s and from Mold, has been affected locally. Enquiries are currently on-going.

The following advice has been issued PC Alan Anderson from Mold Police Station:

· If you receive a telephone call from someone asking you to purchase Ttunes cards from W.H Smith, end the call immediately and report the incident to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk.
· Do not give personal details including banking details to anyone you do not know following unexpected requests for money made either in the street, on the doorstep, over the telephone or internet as these details can be used to steal your identity.
· Beware of cold calls even when the caller appears to have personal information such as your address or bank account details. Legitimate callers will never be offended if you ask to call back in order to confirm their identity. When doing so always use a phone number that you have obtained from previous correspondence or an independent source such as phone book or an official website.
· If you want to call your bank, then do so from another telephone or visit your local branch.
· If you have lost money call your local police on 101.
· We would encourage the public to use social networking to get this message out to as wide an audience as possible .The more people who know about it the less chance there is of them becoming a victim.