How you can foil fraudsters

BEWARE OF SCAM CALLS IF someone calls out of the blue and claims to be from the likes of Currys PC World, Dixons Travel or Carphone Warehouse, hang up. Concerned customers should phone Dixons on 0344 561 1 34. Legitimate callers will never ask for passwords, logins or account numbers. NEVER CLICK ON LINKS IN EMAILS

MANY frauds ask you to click on a link in a bogus email – some warning your account has been compromised or needs to be reactivated – and verify personal details online. This will go straight to fraudsters.

MONITOR BANK STATEMENTS

WATCH out for transactions you do not

recognise and report suspicious activity to their bank immediately. CONSIDER CANCELLING CARDS

BANKS will be monitoring the accounts where card details were targeted, and may cancel some cards. Anyone concerned should call their bank for advice.

CHANGE ONLINE PASSWORDS

CONSIDER changing your online passwords – particularly for email accounts. Avoid obvious terms such as a pet’s name and never use the same password twice.

REPORT ATTEMPTED FRAUD

IF you fear you have been targeted in any way call Action Fraud on 0300 1 3

040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk