Surrey Police warn residents after rise in mobile phone fraud

Scammers have been trying to convince residents to hand over their debit cards and PIN numbers

Author: Grace McGachyPublished 12th Sep 2021

Police say fraudsters are making scam calls and asking for Surrey residents to post their debit cards and pin number to an address.

Often the scammers claim to be from the bank.

Officers are asking residents to take some action to protect yourself and your loved one from becoming a victim of fraud:

• Your bank or the police will never call you to ask you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone. • If you need to call your bank back to check, wait five minutes; fraudsters may stay on the line after you hang up. Alternatively, use a different line altogether to call your bank.

• Never share your PIN number, sort code or account number, or enter any of them onto a telephone keypad

• A genuine police officer will not be offended if you ask them to confirm their identity

• Your debit or credit card is yours – don’t let a stranger take it off you. You should only ever have to hand it over at your bank. If it’s cancelled, you should destroy it yourself

• Never transfer funds into a new account on the instruction of an unexpected caller – even if they tell you the account is in your name

If you or someone you know is vulnerable and has been a victim of fraud please call:

Surrey Police on 101 or visit their website.

To report fraud or attempted fraud, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or report to them online.