Fraudsters target vulnerable Cumbrians in new scam

Fraudsters are targeting vulnerable Cumbrian residents in a scam in which they try to bully people into handing over money.

Two incidents this week in south Cumbria have prompted the police to warn of the new tactic in which aggressive callers demand large amounts of iTunes vouchers.

Yesterday a man who lives in Holme near Kendal was called by the number 0208 122 0704. The caller stated they were from the Ministry of Defence, and that the man was owed £2,500 from a PPI refund.

He was told he would have to pay £125 in iTunes vouchers first, and that these would be picked up from their address.

This follows a similar incident the day before when a vulnerable woman in Flookburgh was called by 0203 322 1004.

The caller stated they were from the Tax Office and that the woman owed them a large amount of money.

The victim described the caller as very aggressive, telling her that if she did not pay up she would be arrested, fined and taken to jail.

The caller asked for £1,000 in iTunes and again stated that these would be picked up from her home address.

Both victims reported the callers to police for being persistent and aggressive in their approach.

PC Bethany Gardner said: “Unfortunately there are people out there who will attempt to gain money fraudulently and target the community. I strongly advise anyone who receives calls like this to hang up immediately and do not provide any personal details.”

For advice, please contact Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.org.uk or contact the Action Fraud Hotline on 0300 123 2040.