Scammers are continuing to target householders, using elaborate means in a bid to fraudulently obtain personal details and cash.
Householders are receiving texts and emails, purporting to be from PayPal, informing them that their account has been ‘limited’ for ‘security reasons.’ The recipient is then asked to ‘confirm’ personal information. This will allow scammers to access details.
Meanwhile, the PSNI is receiving an alarming number of reports about HMRC scams. Scamwise NI is reminding people not to be lured into a false sense of security with emails and texts claiming they are owed a tax refund.
Their advice:
REMEMBER: HMRC will NEVER:
– ask for payment in vouchers.
– threaten you over the phone, by letter or email for not paying a fee.
– threaten arrest if payment isn’t made immediately.
– inform you about tax returns by email, text or voicemail.
Scammers struck over 100 times in Northern Ireland in November last year, with some people being conned out of five and six figure sums.
Police say October and November were particularly bad months for scams.
Figures show there were nine doorstep scams and 104 internet cons during November alone. Scammers conned people out of cash on 22 occasions by post, and 229 by telephone.
Police say scammers will not go away and that they will continue to prey on vulnerable people.