Telephone scam warning

North Wales Police are warning householders to be careful when giving financial and other personal information over the phone.

This advice follows two recent incidents whereby people have been contacted by callers, claiming to be from BT, saying there is a problem with their telephone and broadband service.

The callers claim the service has either been discontinued or interrupted and have requested their bank details to allow a refund to be made. In both cases the victims have disclosed their bank or credit card details before realising the calls were not genuine.

It is not believed either victim have lost funds as they immediately contacted their banks to cancel the cards.

Inspector Jason Higgins from North Wales Police’s Operational Communications Division said: “We urge people not to disclose their personal or bank account details to unsolicited callers. Both incidents highlight the lengths that criminals will go to fraudulently obtain personal information.

“It is always better to be safe than sorry, and a quick telephone call to BT Customer Services to find out if the call is genuine or bogus is advisable.”

A spokesman on behalf of BT said: "BT would advise its customers never to give out any banking details over the phone unless they are absolutely certain who they are dealing with.

“If there is any doubt at all, a BT employee will be able to give the customer their employee ID number and an 0800 number to call, where the customer can check that they are who they say they are. The customer can also check their identity by calling 0800 800 150."

If anyone is aware of people carrying out this type of fraud they should report it to North Wales Police, on 101, if calling from Wales, or 0845 607 1001 (Welsh line) 0845 607 1002 (English line) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.