Scam Alert

Scam Alert

Hello Everyone,

With Christmas fast approaching we need to be ever more vigilant for scams, both for ourselves and more vulnerable friends and family. As we hunt for bargains and send and receive parcels scammers will try and take advantage of how busy we are.

You are never too young or old to be scammed!

A great way to keep up to date with current scams is to sign up for the Trading Standards Scotland Scam Share Bulletin - https://www.tsscot.co.uk/news/scam-share/

Or as you are a member of Neighbourhood Watch simply click to accept information from Trading Standards Scotland

Another great source of information is the Cyber and Fraud Hub, which also produces a fantastic booklet to help older people avoid scams -

https://www.cyberfraudhub.org/resource-database/a-guide-to-avoidingfraud-and-scams-forolder-people

It is difficult to describe every sort of scam but whatever the scammers story the ending will be that they want your bank details / money / personal details.

Scam red flags to be aware of –

A bank / utility company / government department contacting you unexpectedly by text or phone.

You are asked for personal details / passwords / PIN numbers – NEVER give passwords or PIN numbers to anyone, your bank will never ask for these details

You are being pressured or threatened to comply

You are asked to pay for a service / product / or fine in vouchers. No reputable business, bank or Government department will ever take payment in vouchers e.g. itunes / Amazon

You are told to keep a transaction secret or lie to family or bank staff. Scammers tell you to claim the money is for building work, a wedding present or holiday etc

You are told there is fraudulent activity on your bank account

If an offer sounds too good to be true it probably is!

Don’t automatically believe that someone on the phone or text is who they say they are!

If you think you have a scammer on the phone just hang up and if you are unsure of a message / text or phone call check with family or a friend.

If you think you have been a victim of a scam report it to Police Scotland via ‘101’ (non-emergency) or the Police Scotland web site Contact Police Scotland - Police Scotland

You can also report scams to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or through their website.

Scam emails can be reported to the National Cyber Security Centre via their new Suspicious Email Reporting Service.

For more information contact the Crime Prevention Team via edinburghpreventandintervent@edinburgh.police.uk

Or see the Police Scotland website

www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/scams-and-frauds

Regards

PC Campbell

West End Police Station

Edinburgh

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Message Sent By
Samantha Campbell
(Police Scotland, PC - Preventions Interventions and Partnerships, E Div - Edinburgh City)