Police seek to remind the public about fraudulent bank phone calls

31st December 2013

After a recent number of reported fraudulent telephone calls, Police Scotland is again warning householders across the Highlands and Islands, and in particular Inverness, not to give out any details to cold callers claiming to be from a bank.

A number of bank related frauds have been reported to Police in Inverness over the past few days with the caller claiming to be from a Visa Debit Payment Verification department. The caller advises that the recipient should hang-up and call the number on their bank card. When the individual does so the caller stays on the line, subsequently not clearing the line, and waits quietly for the individual to call the bank. The caller then proceeds to act as the bank, taking details for their own purposes.

Whilst Police do understand that such types of fraudulent calls are sometimes difficult to detect, police are urging householders not to give out any details to individuals claiming to be from the bank, especially details such as bank account numbers, passwords and other sensitive information.

Police would ask members of the public to exercise extreme caution in relation to any telephone calls they may receive in relation to their bank accounts. It is not normal banking practice to ask for details of accounts, passwords or P.I.N codes on the telephone.

Police say that if people are in any doubt with regards to the authenticity of calls they should terminate the call and only contact their bank after a suitable period of time, checking for a ringtone first, and through a genuine number which can be found on a bank card or statement or from the phone book.

The best and most simple security advice is do not give out personal information over the phone and if in doubt call your bank yourself from a separate line, possibly a mobile phone, and ask the bank if they have tried to contact you.

Should anyone feel they have been a victim of a fraud they should contact their local Police station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.