Beware of automated phone call bank scam
Following warnings of a spike in new scams, look out for automated phone calls from criminals posing as a representative of your bank or card company.
Banking trade association, UK Finance, has received dozens of reports over the past week involving automated calls from fraudsters.
Victims receive an automated phone call claiming to be from their bank or card provider, saying there has been a suspicious transaction on their account.
They are then asked to verify the transaction by pressing a number on their phone to take them through to an “agent” – who is actually a fraudster.
Katy Worobec, UK Finance’s managing director of economic crime, said: “It is crucial that people remain vigilant and question any phone calls out of the blue, even if they state there has been fraud on your account.
“Fraudsters may already have some information about you, so don’t take this as confirmation that their approach is genuine.
“Never give out any personal information if you are at all suspicious. Instead stop and think, and then contact your bank directly on a number that you can trust.”
Warning signs to look out for include:
The caller doesn’t give you time to think, tries to stop you speaking to a family member or friend, or is insistent and makes you feel uncomfortable.
The caller asks you to transfer money to a new account for fraud reasons.
They ask for your 4-digit card PIN or online banking password. Even if they ask you to give it to them by tapping into the telephone keypad rather than saying the numbers out loud, it’s a scam.
They ask you to withdraw money to hand over to them for safekeeping. They may claim you have fell victim to fraud and offer to send a courier to your home to collect your cash, PIN, payment card or cheque book. Banks or police would never call you asking for your online banking password or for you to transfer money to a new account.