Scamwatch: hoax "council" calls

Updated
Pretty young woman using mobile phone
Pretty young woman using mobile phone



Stay one step ahead of the fraudsters with our series of articles giving you the lowdown on the scams they use to trick people out of their hard-earned cash - and how to avoid being taken in by them.

This week, we explain how dodgy claim management companies are posing as council and insurance company workers in a bid to win clients.

How does it work?
Claims management companies can make thousands of pounds from each personal injury or payment protection insurance (PPI) claim they win.

That's why so many Britons are bombarded with nuisance calls from companies of this kind.

Not all claims managers are upfront about where they are calling from, though. Some try to gain your trust by pretending to be calling from the local council or an insurer.

And not all those who do are even calling to try to persuade you to let them take on your case - some are just fraudsters whose aim is to obtain your bank details, something they claim is necessary for you to receive your "compensation".

How can I avoid being caught out?
It pays to be wary of all unexpected calls from authorities and companies, especially if the caller asks for personal details.

You can be sure that the call is a scam if the person on the other end of the phone asks for your bank details, while inaccuracies are another sure sign that it's a hoax.

In one recent case, residents in the Dorking area received calls purporting to be from "Dorking City Council", which does not exist.

What should I do?
If you have been tricked into handing over your bank details, contact your bank immediately to secure your accounts.

You can also report the fraud to the police via Action Fraud on 0300 123 20 40.

If, on the other hand, you are duped into signing up with a claims management company, you can complain to the Claims Management Regulator on 0333 200 01 10.

New Warning About Phone Scam Claiming to Be from IRS
New Warning About Phone Scam Claiming to Be from IRS

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