Heard a new scam this morning

bromleymum

Got a phone call this morning and as soon as I heard the voice I thought "Not another computer error message scam, I'm not in the mood."

But, I was wrong. Infact they were ringing to inform me that the British Government were refunding me £481. Fantastic!!!

Why was I entitled to this refund? Well, apparently, over the years when I have been shopping or paying my utility bills I have been subjected to "unfair bank charges" and now "as a British citizen" I am entitled to get that money back as one lump sum.

Brilliant. What do I have to do? Oh yes, provide my personal details including bank information over the phone and ....Goodbye....

Anyone else getting this one. It makes a change.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Oh my - that one sounds fantastic.. Wish they would call me.

bromleymum

Jeff_Bridges_hair wrote: »

Oh my - that one sounds fantastic.. Wish they would call me.

Yes, I know, I'm getting bored of the windows error message wind ups.

What's really sneaky about this one though is that he used key phrases such as "unfair bank charges", of "you've been misled by your bank on the true cost of your account" etc. etc.

Sadly, someone vulnerable will fall for this especially if they are in the middle of a reclaiming bank charges case and there are a a lot of them out there.

Be careful folks....

crazyguy

These scammers will find new ways to rob people and no sooner than one scam is uncovered you can guarantee there is someone working on yet another one to try and rob unsuspecting people.

Some of the scams are pretty clever and some are terrible, it just puzzles me how so many people fall for them.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

bromleymum wrote: »

Yes, I know, I'm getting bored of the windows error message wind ups.

What's really sneaky about this one though is that he used key phrases such as "unfair bank charges", of "you've been misled by your bank on the true cost of your account" etc. etc.

Sadly, someone vulnerable will fall for this especially if they are in the middle of a reclaiming bank charges case and there are a a lot of them out there.

Be careful folks....

Aye thats a good point. Problem is is that a lot of people really do think that they can get money for doing nothing. Greed is a human trait after all.

pineapple

Apart from the unlikeliness of the whole thing, let alone that one would be informed via telephone (!!!) it would be very unlikely that a national of this country would use the phrase 'British government'. I think this needs to be reported - just not sure who to. There are people with learning disabilities, confusion etc out there who need to be protected if possible. It's not all about consumer greed and gullibility.

mttylad

Say to them "you know my address ok?" when they say yes, just say "then send me a cheque please" and hang off

moonrakerz

I really must get rid of my answer machine - I appear to be missing out on all this free money that is being given away ..........:D:D

coldcazzie

mttylad wrote: »

Say to them "you know my address ok?" when they say yes, just say "then send me a cheque please" and hang off

Indeed, we got a lovely cheque like that just yesterday!

Inland Revenue: turns out you paid too much tax, here's a cheque.
Us: Oh, thankyou kindly!

None of this "please give us your bank details" crap.

What worries me, as has been said, is the people who either have claims in for bank charges, or those who are elderly or have learning difficulties etc.