The Isle of Wight Against Scams Partnership has issued an update on scams that have come to light in the local community over the past week.
Islanders are being urged to be very wary of any unsolicited phone calls, emails and texts and to remember to never click on links in any messages!
• A resident reported a very worrying call from a someone claiming to be a police officer at a London police station. They went on to say that her relative – name given – had been arrested and they needed money to help them. Luckily this lady knew that she didn’t have anyone in London of that name in her family and hung up, however, this could be very worrying and convincing for anyone with relatives on the mainland and who might be feeling vulnerable at the minute.
• Increasing reports around domestic/white goods insurances. These appear to be very prevalent at the minute and will call you to say that you need this insurance or your insurance has expired and you must make the payments. These companies are growing in number and the insurances are worthless. One customer who had taken the insurance out needed to use it as her washing machine had broken, she is met with a wall of silence/excuses. These are not genuine – Do NOT be bullied into taking them out.
• Reports of phishing emails from the banks, TV Licensing and Netflix have come through. This is a common theme in that your details are invalid, there is a problem with your account, click the link to put in the correct details – DON’T if you do the scammers will have access to your bank account.
• A worrying report from a resident that she received the Amazon scam call, but it came from a local Isle of Wight number. This number will have been spoofed by the scammers, but we are far more likely to answer if we think it’s a local number – Be Careful.
• Islanders should ignore communications about the COVID-19 vaccination which claim to be from the NHS asking for payment, or bank details. NHS England will never ask for bank details, PIN numbers or passwords when contacting you about a vaccination.
You can report scams online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or on the phone – 0300 123 2040. Phishing emails can be forwarded to [email protected].
As our illustrious and respected Prime Minister keeps reminding us, we Brits are outstanding innovators and inventors, leading the world in IT skills.
Makes you proud.
Our le aders here will soon be participating in the largest scale scam EVER, by sending out this years c ou n ci l tax bills to all Islanders, to charge us more, for providing far less, DESPITE getting in ever more by the huge increase in properties on the Island.
ENSURE you vo te accordingly in May. Do it by postal v ote free and safe
Two days ago I received a call from 07512 808904
The automated call said “we wish to inform you that your NI number has been compromised”
and before we take legal action against you “please press 1”.
I didn’t press 1.
I didn’t press end either.
I did report it to Action Fraud.
The irony of a story about Scams and a story about Big Black Cat Sightings on the same day.
Action Fraud are a complete waste of time. O2 or Carphone Warehouse owe me £2000 from an account fraudulently set up in my name. O2 told me to contact Action Fraud, they told me to contact Carphone Warehouse and they told me to contact O2. Bear in mind that each phone call (27 so far) has been between 25 minutes and 3 hours, and you realise that they are all completely useless. You only have to look at their feedback to see I’m not the only one to think this!