Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
OAP falls victim to fraudsters & loses large sum of cash
POLICE are urging the public to be vigilant following reports of an itunes gift card scam involving fraudsters claiming to be from HMRC.
Officers said victims are being contacted in a number of ways and in some instances being asked for payment in voucher codes which are easily redeemed or sold on.
The scammers do not have to be in possession of the gift card to use it if they can persuade victims to read out the serial number over the phone.
Recently there have been a number of incidents reported to the PSNI.
While some attempts have been unsuccessful, in one case an older person lost a significant amount of money before officers intervened.
Supt Simon Walls said: “Police are urging members of the public to always err on the side of caution with any text, call, email or letter asking for payment or personal details in order to release money, refund fees, pay lottery wins or supply a holiday, giveaway or service.
“HMRC will never contact you by telephone and ask for payment of tax arrears by itunes vouchers or similar payment methods.
“Scammers are inventive and can be very convincing but each scam is designed to tempt you to drop your guard.
“If you are at all suspicious about a call you receive hang up and phone the organisation the person is purporting to represent to check their authenticity.
“Ideally make the call from another telephone so you can be sure the original caller has not remained on the line.
“If you have received a call of this kind, or are concerned by the intent of unsolicited calls, emails or letters, then please report it to Action Fraud via their website or by phoning 0300 123 2040, or call police on the non-emergency number 101.”
Further advice and information can also be obtained by visiting PSNI or NI Direct websites.
YESTERDAY