Warnings Issued Over Scam Phone Calls In Wrexham

Wrexham Trading Standards have recently released a number of appeals following reports of scam phone calls in the area.

The reports are in many forms – a telephone call to say that you have received a grant for some free new windows, an email saying you need to contact your bank immediately, or a letter saying that you have won a prize, or a text saying you are due compensation.

There have also been reports of email scams / phishing emails claiming to be sent by from HMRC (HM Revenues and Customs) in the run up to the July 31st renewal deadline.

HMRC warns tax credit claimants over scam emails Phishing emails that claim to be from HMRC often promise money back and if you click on a link, you are taken to a fake replica of the HMRC website. You will then be asked to provide credit or debit card details or other sensitive information such as passwords. The fraudsters then try to steal the money from your bank account.

During last year’s tax credits renewal period, which runs from April to July, nearly 24,839 phishing emails were reported to HMRC. This May there has been a 131% increase in phishing email reports on the same month last year, with 11,219 being recorded.

Although HMRC worked with other agencies to shut down 611 scam websites during the tax credits renewal period last year, others continue to be created.

HMRC took action to close down 1,740 illegal sites in 2013, most originating in Turkey, Spain and Bulgaria. Phishing emails also came from the UK and USA.

Although every scam may be different they all have the same thing in common – they are all designed to scam you out of your money and they are all too good to be true. There is also advice and steps that you can follow to help yourself from falling victim to a scam.

If you receive a phone call asking for bank details, to pay money or an admin fee – stop. Keep calm and simply hang up. Never part with any money, whatever the threat. Tell callers you do not deal with any business over the telephone and to put any information in writing and then simply hang up.

If you receive a text message that you don’t recognise – stop and delete it. Do not reply. If your phone has the function to allow you to block the number then do this too.

Finally, if you receive any suspect emails or letters simply put them in the recycle bin or your email trash file. Look out for family and friends who may fall victim to scams and spread the word with them.