Warning after pensioner hit by scam calls

A PENSIONER has warned householders to be on their guard after he was targeted by three separate phone scammers in the space of just a few weeks.

Graham Hendry received calls from a number of con artists trying to get bank details and access to his computer.

The scammers posed as customer service advisers from two phone companies, BT and TalkTalk, while another tried to get him to take out an extended warranty on a Panasonic television set he does not own.

Although the 72-year-old from Broughty Ferry was not caught out, he believes vulnerable and elderly people could easily be taken in.

Mr Hendry said he has been called repeatedly by scammers purporting to be from TalkTalk.

“I changed from TalkTalk to BT over a year ago for my broadband,” he said.

“But I had a call from someone who said he was from TalkTalk. He told me I had lots of errors on my broadband that were showing up in their system.

“To clear them he said he needed access to my computer and he wanted my details.

“Then I got a phone call from a chap called David who said he was from BT.

“He said they were going to be reducing their prices for phone calls and broadband in the DD5 postcode area but I would have to register my details with them to get it.”

F i n a l l y, a s c a m m e r attempted to convince Mr Hendry he should take out an extended warranty on his television.

“He said it was for a Panasonic television, but I have Samsung and Sony TVs,” he said. “I kept him going but some old dear of about 85 could be worried their warranty is running out and be taken in.”

A spokesman for BT said: “Our advice is that customers should never share their BT account number with anyone and should always shred bills. Be wary of calls or emails you’re not expecting.

“We will never ask customers for personal information out of the blue and we’ll never call from ‘unknown’ number.”

A TalkTalk spokeswoman said: “We have undertaken an extensive, proactive awareness campaign, including contacting every customer directly, so they can protect themselves.”