A SPATE of bogus and scam phone calls in the area have prompted warnings from Warwickshire Trading Standards for people to be alert.
Callers claiming to be from HMRC and the Telephone Preference Service have been reported in the area and people are warned to be extra vigilant when when answering calls from unknown sources.
Trading Standards are advising people never reveal personal or financial information to cold callers and if they receive a unexpected phone call from someone claiming to represent HMRC demanding money, to put the phone down immediately.
Recipients of these fake HMRC phone calls are told that they owe money to HMRC and are threatened with legal action, bankruptcy or a visit from the Police or a bailiff if they don’t pay up.
Some victims have paid these bogus debts with itunes vouchers.
A spokesperson from Trading Standards said: “These are criminal gangs that are only interested in stealing your account information or setting up direct debits for bogus services.
“If you believe the phone call to be genuine, phone HMRC back on a publicly listed phone number.”
Make a scam/rogue trader complaint to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.
