April 16, 2015 4.05 pm This story is over 107 months old

Scam alert after surge in bogus council callers in Lincolnshire

Bogus callers: Lincolnshire Trading Standards has issued a scam warning after a surge in reports of bogus calls in Lincoln and the surrounding areas.
Photo: File/Dreamstime

Lincolnshire Trading Standards has issued a scam warning after a surge in reports of bogus calls in Lincoln and the surrounding areas.

Over the past few days, members of the public have contacted Trading Standards to say they have been targeted by ‘Mike’ calling from Lincolnshire County Council on behalf of the local NHS and Primary Care Trust. Many of the calls originate from a withheld or Lincoln based number.

The telephone cold-caller explains that they are ringing about an accident which happened in the previous year and, in some cases, says compensation is available to claim.

One Lincoln woman who was targeted by a bogus caller said: “I received a phone call from a man with a strong Indian accent saying he was from Lincolnshire county council investigating for the NHS an accident I had reported.

“I put the phone down and he rang back, he was cross I put the phone down.”

Pamela Allan, senior trading standards officer, said: “The NHS and councils don’t contact people like this, so if you do receive a call please don’t entertain this fraudster.

“It’s not clear what the fraudsters will do with any information gained so please do not give out any of your personal information to them. Just put the phone down.

“It is not always easy to tell if a caller such as this is genuine but be suspicious if the call is unexpected.

“If you’re not sure if the call is genuine please ask a family member, give Citizens Advice a call on 03454 04 05 06 or go online.”

Anyone that’s been caught out by this scam should contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk.