Top tips to foil phone scammers

Phone scams are on the increase in the East of England Credit: ITV News Anglia

With phone scammers becoming a bigger menace then ever across the East, Trading Standards are offering advice and tips on how to beat the fraudsters

In the latest cold call scam someone claiming to be from the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk is making bogus calls claiming they are on ‘investigating an accident’ and the caller is attempting to obtain personal details which they would then use to commit fraud offences.

These calls are not from the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk and the advice is not to provide any personal details over the phone.

TOP TEN TIPS ON HOW TO BEAT PHONE SCAMMERS

  • If it sounds too good to be true it probably is

  • Never give out your bank details or send money unless you are certain you can trust the person who has contacted you

  • If you receive a sales call you have not requested, be suspicious

  • Neither your bank or the police would collect a bank card, ask for your PIN or come to your home to collect financial paperwork

  • You shouldn't have to pay money to receive a prize

  • You shouldn't have to pay money via Ukash or Western Union to claim mis-sold PPI

  • If you are put under pressure to make an immediate decision be suspicious and politely decline

  • Computer firms do not make unsolicited calls to help fix your computer

  • Register with the telephone preference service on 0845 070 0707 to block unwanted calls

  • If you're still concerned, consider installing call blocking technology to

  • reduce nuisance calls.