Telephone Scams Are Becoming Increasingly Common and Require Particular Vigilance
Criminals use different tactics to deceive trusting people and obtain their money or personal information.
One common form of telephone fraud is phishing, in which scammers call pretending to represent banks, government bodies or other organisations. They may convincingly claim that you have unpaid bills or debts and demand immediate payment. If you disclose your financial information or make a payment, your money may be stolen.
Another common form involves lottery and prize scams. Fraudsters may call to tell you that you have won a prize or lottery, but must pay to receive it. In reality, there is no lottery or prize, and any money you send simply disappears.
To avoid telephone fraud, follow these recommendations:
- Never disclose financial information or make payments to unknown callers.
- Be cautious of suspicious calls, especially those promising free prizes or offers that sound too good to be true.
- Do not respond to calls from unknown people or suspicious numbers.
- If someone makes demands or threats over the telephone, contact the relevant company or organisation directly to verify the information.
- Never send money or personal information in response to a telephone request.
Following these precautions will help you avoid telephone scammers’ traps and keep your money and data safe.
