Kent Trading Standards Warn of Telephone Scam
September 4, 2007 6:47 PM
Kent Trading Standards has been made aware of a scam involving consumers being telephoned by people alleging to be from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) asking for personal and financial information. This includes asking for bank account details in order for the OFT "to reclaim bank charges on behalf of consumers". The Office of Fair Trading is a government department and therefore consumers could easily be misled into thinking that such requests are legitimate. They are not.
These callers have no connection with the OFT, and their sole intention is to use the information for identity theft or to run up bills or commit crimes using stolen details. The OFT will never contact consumers asking them for personal bank details.
Kent Trading Standards and the OFT are warning consumers not to pass on personal or financial information to cold callers either over the phone or via email. If they have already done so they should contact their bank as soon as possible and review their credit card and bank account statements to see if there have been any unauthorised transactions.
Kent Trading Standards wants to advise consumers to be wary of unsolicited telephone calls. Never give banking or personal details out over the telephone.
Unsolicited marketing telephone calls can be restricted by registering with the Telephone Preference Service by calling 020 7291 3320 or registering online at www.tpsonline.org.uk.
For further advice or information call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
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