Scammers continue to trick OAPS
It doesn’t seem like too long has passed since I last wrote on this issue, but the instances regarding telephone and email scams continue to be reported to police regularly.
In recent weeks I have seen several incidents across our local area in areas such as Blackwood, Hamilton and Blantyre where a member of the public has been contacted by a person who claims to be from a legitimate organisation, such as a phone provider, claiming that there is an issue with the member of public’s bank account or phone account and claims to be on the phone to resolve the issue.
In reality what is happening is that the caller is in fact tricking the member of the public into giving over bank details or encouraging them to buy vouchers, such as itunes vouchers, as a means of resolving the problem, a problem that never actually existed in the first place.
The member of the public is then encouraged to provide the code on the back of the i-tunes voucher, which they in turn use for their own criminal gain to sell the codes or use these details to fraudulently obtain funds.
These heartless individuals are normally calling from another country and are often part of an organised crime group who do this on a daily basis, with no thought to the damage it does to financial accounts of those involved and damage to the person’s self- confidence, particularly the vulnerable or older people who are regularly successfully targeted.
Please do not pass any personal information to anyone over the phone or by email, without first checking with your own telephone provider, bank or building society that it is a genuine enquiry.
A recently-reported matter in Blackwood resulted in a man in his 70s being defrauded of a thousand pounds using such a scam as detailed previously. Police are investigating.
Blackwood and Kirkmuirhill has also seen a spike in break-ins to vehicles in recent weeks, particularly vans and on occasion work tools have been taken. It would appear likely that these incidents are happening overnight. I would ask everyone in this area to remain vigilant and to contact police if you see or hear anything suspicious.
The grocer’s shop in Howard Street, Larkhall, was targeted by would-be thieves who attempted to break through the outer wall of the premises around 2.45am on Monday, September 10. Fortunately those responsible were unable to gain entry but it is likely that someone in the local area knows who is responsible. If you have any information that would assist, contact PC Mcmillan at Larkhall Police Office.
Finally, a house was broken into on Dunlop Crescent, Bothwell, on the evening of Friday, September 7, and a quantity of jewellery was taken. A male was seen in the area just before the incident and is described as white, 5ft 11ins, slim build with short grey hair and wearing a blue top and dark trousers .This may have been a witness and would encourage him or anyone else with information to contact PC Clark of the Uddingston/bothwell Local Problem Solving Team.