Thanks to the Little Bit of Stone reader who got in touch to warn people in the town of a tax rebate scam that their elderly relative fell victim to.
Always refuse to give any banking details from anyone calling you to offer tax rebates. Report any calls of this nature to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online HERE.
“An elderly relative of mine was contacted by phone, by someone calling himself Simon Young. He informed said relative that she was entitled to a £9000 tax rebate. When my relative became suspicious the caller then handed the phone to a woman (claiming to be a supervisor, calling herself Angela Patel).
She then convinced my relative to draw out £250 pounds worth of Ukash vouchers in order to claim the rebate. Unfortunately, as is often the way, coming from a trusting generation my relative did so. This operation was very crafty, even suggesting to my relative which shops she should purchase these vouchers from (namely the closest to where she lived).
When another family member visited the next day and was told about what had happened, they immediately saw it for what it was. Family member then rang the number left and, when pressed, “Angela Patel” put phone down.
Mrs Patel then left several messages later in the day, urging elderly relative to ignore family member and to obtain yet more vouchers to the amount of a further £400. Thankfully the £400 was not obtained but the police, bank and fraud team were notified.
Could you remind readers that Tax and Pensions never contact anyone by phone and rarely email, they normally always send a letter.”
2 comments
Nick Gumbley
There is also a similar scam, which uses the same methods, but is from “your” bank, informing that “your” bank owes you money, they then try to take you into giving your details.