Please note: “Scam Advice” has been created to try and help residents find information, to make people aware of SCAMs in order to avoid fraudulent activity, such as removing money from accounts. HPC can not take responsibility for any issues that result from using the information.
2nd Rule: Never give your password to anyone.
If someone is asking you for your password it’s almost certain YOU should NOT tell them.
3nd Rule: Report all SCAMs
Even if you are not 100% sure it is a scam. Better safe than sorry!
New to the internet ? Want to learn more ? Help is at hand. "Click on the image"
Please Note: Link to a Commercial antivirus website "Avast"
TIP: Get the contact numbers for your Bank and credit card providers from original valid documents, i.e. statements, that the Bank/Credit Card provider has sent to you and add it to your Contacts in your mobile phone or write it down and keep near your telephone. This way you have the correct number to use if you need it quickly
Unfortunately new SCAMs will always pop up but they tend to follow the same format: the caller will want information and a quick response to what they say is some sort of urgent issue where only you can help.
Don’t be panicked by them in to giving ANY information.
If anybody contacts you saying they are from your bank or credit card provider:
Be suspicious.
Ask their name then end the call – however rude it may seem, just put the phone down/end the call. A genuine caller will understand.
Using your saved numbers for your Bank/credit card provider that you have stored or noted down, call the bank or credit card provider and tell them about the call you have just had.
DO NOT use any phone numbers given by the person who contacted you or in the text/email.
If a scammer calls on your landline/house phone, hang up and then use your MOBILE phone to make the call to your bank.
You can also use a New Banking Phone Service for suspicious calls: :
*Stop – Hang Up – Call 159
Using 159, end the call and get you back to your bank via 159
See how to make use of he service.
TIP: These despicable people are constantly looking for new ways to run old Scams. They will look for news items where details of what will happen are unclear; like the Government giving heating support and people cold calling saying they need your bank details to pay you the money, its a SCAM. Do not give any account details or PINs.
Consider using the free “Telephone Preference Service” The free opt out service enabling you to record your preference on the official register and not receive unsolicited sales or marketing calls.
TIP: Add the contact details for reporting SCAMs to your contacts in your mobile phone. This way you are able to forward emails and texts you suspect are SCAMs quickly and easily. Add them in the same contact and your phone will sort out which it needs to use.
Remember if you have the slightest doubt or it seems odd, report it as a SCAM.
Text messages: to 7726 Emails: to report@phishing.gov.uk
TIP: Online shopping? Something not quite right? Deal too good to be true. Check the website you are on to see if other people have reported it as a problem “Click Here“
Its free just paste the full web address in the box and it will check the site for known issues; remember its a guide.
Caution: if it’s too good to be true its probably a SCAM
Tip: Your Digital Footprint: Take great care what information you place on social media. Caution when completing surveys, competitions and any type on data gathering process. Scammers gathther such data to build a profile about you. This can give them a lot of information about you before they contact you, the more personal data they have the more convincing they can be. Help to reduce its’s size.
