May 10, 2010 2.27 pm This story is over 165 months old

Cold calling con on the rise in Lincolnshire

Money scam: Over 30 complaints about cold callers asking for personal and banking information charges have been put to Lincolnshire Trading Standards.

Lincolnshire Trading Standards has received 30 complaints about cold callers trying to con people into giving away their personal and banking details. The complainants reportedly refused to comply, but it is feared some have fallen victims to this scam.

“We have seen an increase in these cold calls from bogus companies offering to assist people in claiming back excessive unauthorised bank charges. Sometimes, these callers already have some personal information about the account holder, which helps lull them into a false sense of security,” said Nick Dawes, Divisional Manager at Lincolnshire Trading Standards.

“The caller suggests that the consumer could receive payments such as the repayment of bank charges or other debts. They are often asked to provide personal information such as bank account details, and make an upfront payment,” Dawes added. He praises those who reported the scam, but said he expects there will be people who have fallen victim to this.

Lincolnshire Trading Standards advises never to provide financial details or other personal information to cold callers, not to accept cold calls, however persistent a caller may be, and always seek legal or independent financial advice.

Source: Lincolnshire County Council