Warning over bank card phone fraud (From Haringey Independent)

Warning over bank card phone fraud

10:50am Monday 3rd September 2012 in News By Bruce Thain

Police are warning the public about a phone scam where some people have been tricked into giving their bank details.

Fraudsters have been phoning people claiming to be from their bank telling them their account has been compromised and they need to cancel their card.

They then tell the victim to call their bank, but the fraudsters then keep the phone line open so they are able to answer the call.

The victim is then asked to key in their PIN number into the telephone handset so their existing card can be “cancelled’.

The scammers then say they need to collect the card and will attend the persons address to get it.

In doing so the fraudster has obtained the person’s name, address, full bank details, the card itself and the PIN.

The cards are then used fraudulently without the victim’s knowledge.

During the last month there have been a number of cases of this type of scam in Haringey.

Most recently a 74-year-old woman, from Tottenham Green had £1,200 withdrawn from her cards after being hit by the scam.

Police are calling for anyone who has any information about this scam, or has been a victim of it, to get in contact.