Bank charges scam warning from OFT
Britons should never disclose bank account details to telephone callers claiming to be from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), the industry body advises.
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Friday 31st August 2007
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has issued a warning to Britons that a new bank charges telephone scam is in operation.
According to the OFT, a number of consumers have received calls claiming to be from representatives of the industry body.
During the communications, individuals are asked for their bank account details "in order for the OFT to reclaim bank charges on their behalf".
But the organisation says it is not undertaking any such efforts and that the calls are from identity fraudsters.
Emails requesting such details should also be ignored, according to the office.
"The OFT will never contact consumers asking them for personal bank details," the watchdog states.
Consumers who think they may have revealed personal details to a scam artist are now told to inform their bank for further advice.
The news comes in light of the test case currently being pursued through the courts by the OFT in order to establish a legal basis for Britons to reclaim what they believe to be unwarranted bank charges.
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(2) Comments so far | Post a comment
Carol Marshall wrote:
I keep being phones by a person who says he is from ministry of fair trade, they say they have got £4999, reclaimed from bank charges, but i can't get it until i pay £250, for the licence key or if i don't have that they will pay it for me, but i have to let them take remote control of my computor. Ithey are calling me from 0208 144 2703, but they sound indian, the name given is martin souzi,
how do i report this?
Monday, Jun 28 2010
Amanda Flay wrote:
I too have had calls from a person claiming to be from fair trade, telling me I have £700 to £1000 due from illegal bank charges. They gave me a name of Sam Cooper (though he was clearly Indian) Employee ID 00125UK Tel 08456007008. He asked for my bank details and when I refused to give him my 3 digit security no on back of card, argued with me. The phone was put down on him YET he persisted and phoned again at least 5 times to extract that info... even directed me to their website. These people are very convincing - but never give your details to anyone on the phone or internet - I have cancelled my debit card and informed the bank.
Friday, Oct 22 2010