On Friday 29th Banbury Rotary Club hosted a fifth Friday dinner at Banbury House Hotel. Guest speaker was Christine McElhill, Community Banker for Berkshire and Oxfordshire, who gave an interesting talk about being aware of telephone, postal, online and doorstep scams and what to do. A summary of this might be:
Telephone Scams
If you ever get a call from someone who says they’re from your bank or the police and asks you to transfer funds to another bank, to a safe account or withdraw cash, they’re scammers.
Postal Scams
Criminals use all kinds of fake letters. They may claim to be about lotteries or prize draws, investments or inheritance windfalls health cures or clairvoyance. Whatever it is, don’t send them money.
Online Scams
Fake emails can be disguised to look as though they’re from your bank, but however convincing they may look, never give away your personal details and don’t click links with the emails. Go direct to the bank’s website instead.
Doorstep Scams
Never let someone you do not know into your home or sell you a service on your doorstep. If you need work doing around your property, ask a friend or family member for advice about traders you can trust.
Reporting Scams
Report scams to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 and your bank. You can also ask for help from Citizens Advice Helpline on 03454 040506.