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Jingle Bells...who's REALLY phoning you? #FraudFreeXmas

Good afternoon,

We mentioned in a previous post we receive an average of 200 reports a week from residents of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who have been scammed.  The vast majority of those start with a simple phone call from an unexpected call, from an unknown or withheld phone number.

Ideally, don't answer the phone to unexpected calls from unknown/withheld numbers.  If you've already answered, remember:

  • They may not be who they say they are (even if they know personal/financial information about you).
  • Your bank, or the police will NEVER ask for your PIN, one-time password/code, bank card, passwords, or ask you to withdraw money, or help with an investigation or purchase items on our behalf.
  • Criminals use a tactic called “number spoofing” in order to make the call appear genuine. The number you see displayed on your phone may match that of one you know, or look like a local call, but in fact, the criminal has manipulated this number to disguise their identity.
  • They may not immediately ask for financial information, they may not make you feel rushed or panicked, they may talk to you for hours, days weeks, so you feel comfortable and have built up trust in them.

    • Prevention:

  • Register your number with Telephone Preference Service: 0845 070 0707
  • BT Call Protect helps you stop unwanted and nuisance calls. Call 1572 from your home phone to set this up.
  • Consider an answerphone to screen your calls, or other call blocking device
  • If you think someone is pretending to be from your bank to trick you into handing over money or personal details... Stop, hang up and call the Bank Fraud Service on 159 to speak directly to your bank. This is a secure number that connects you directly to your bank if you think you are being scammed. 159 will never call you.

    • If this message isn't relevant to you, please share it with someone who might be interested.

     

    If you've been affected by a crime please contact Victim Care Hub for free, confidential support: Home - Hampshire Victim Care Hub (hampshireiowvictimcare.co.uk) or phone 0808 178 1641

    If you would like to report a crime anonymously please contact: Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) or phone 0800 555 111

    Hampshire Alerts is not a crime reporting portal – please do not report crime here.

    If you realise you’ve been scammed and wish to report a fraud that has already happened, please report it to Action Fraud either phone 0300 123 2040 or online at: Action Fraud

    If a crime is in progress, and/or you are in fear for yourself or someone else, and/or there is evidence in situ that could be damaged/destroyed, please phone 999 immediately. 

    Otherwise, report online, or find out about other ways to report a crime at: Report a crime | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

    Thank you – Fraud Safeguarding Team

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    Fraud Safeguarding Team
    (Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, Fraud Safeguarding Officers, Hampshire and Isle of Wight)
    Neighbourhood Alert Cyber Essentials