Watch out for phone scammers - warns Durham Police

People in County Durham are being warned not to trust Caller ID - after a spate of scams.

Durham Constabulary revealed fraudsters can often fake their locations and call names, meaning unsuspecting victims think the phone calls are legitimate, handing over personal details and money.

The force revealed thousands of pounds has been lost by residents to scam artists.

As well as faking the Call ID on people’s phones, scam artists will pretend to represent real companies you do business with – such as banks, Sky, BT or even HMRC. Often the criminals have bought your data off Dark Web sites and know personal information you’d only expect your bank to know.

Durham police are backing the Take Five campaign - telling us to hang up on any unexpected cold-call, then wait five minutes before calling back on a number we trust – from a bank statement or official letter, or alternatively call the police on 101.

The reason we need to wait is fraudsters can hold onto a phone line for up to 10 seconds after we hang up – meaning if we call straight back, we’ll end up back on the phone to the scam artists.

PC Tony Murray, of Durham Constabulary’s economic crime unit says there are a number of practical steps we can all take to defeat the phone fraudsters.

“Caller ID can be spoofed to look genuine, so never assume any call from any business is legitimate, even if they know you name. Fraudsters lie and may already have your details.

“You are especially at risk when fraudsters pretend to be companies you do business with such as HMRC, the banks, police, DVLA, phone and broadband companies."

“If you are worried and want to check if a call was genuine then after a few minutes ring a number you trust, a friend or family member for example. Don’t ring a number given in a phone call or text you have been sent - fraudsters can keep a home telephone line open for up to 10 seconds and can even spoof a dial tone.

“By giving yourself time to think you know the next call you make to a trusted number will be a safe one.

“It’s also important not to give criminals any information to feed off, I recommend simply saying ‘Sorry I don’t do business on the phone’ then hang up.”

KEY FACTS:

In the six months from April to September 2016 in the Durham force area there were;

• 1,949 offences reported to police

• With total losses coming to £2.2m

• 44% of frauds were via phone

• 45% were losses suffered by individuals, the rest by businesses

For more information or help if you think you’ve been a victim of a scam, visit https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/orhttp://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report-a-fraud-including-online-crime