Scammers impersonating Crimestoppers to steal info
Fraudsters have attempted to obtain personal information and bank details by impersonating Crimestoppers call handlers.
The charity said it had been alerted to a small number of incidents where scammers appeared to have "hijacked" its 0800 555 111 number.
Callers claim they are "Crimestoppers at the Home Office" and direct people to the organisation's website to clarify its phone number before asking for information.
Crimestoppers stressed that it never makes cold calls to members of the public asking for any personal details.
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It urged anyone who receives such a call to contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
Roger Critchell, director of operations for Crimestoppers, said: "We are currently talking to our phone service provider to attempt to resolve the situation over our number being hijacked and hope this can be rectified as quickly as possible.
"I would emphasise that it is business as normal for the charity and people can still contact us on 0800 555 111 to pass on anonymous information about crime, but we wanted to make sure people were aware that we will never, ever contact them asking for personal details, so please do not hand any over if you are contacted by someone claiming to be Crimestoppers."
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