Scam Awareness

Identity theft is on the increase so be aware of the risks and take sensible precautions.

Have you ever been the victim of a scam?

Here are our top tips to prevent you falling victim whether on the Internet or at home.

Scam Awareness Top Tips:

* Common sense and general vigilance are your best protection.

* Scammers often use email - make sure you have spam controls in place.

* Never give money - never send money to "claim your winnings", and never invest in a scheme claiming to be financially lucrative.

* If you are unsure you can call Consumer Direct on 0845 040506 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.

* Be suspicious about companies that only have a PO Box for an address.

* Never give your personal details - only give your name, address, telephone number and postcode if you are a customer. Some scammers ask for bank details.

* Premium rate numbers start with 090, so if you are asked to call one of these numbers it may be a scam.

* Scammers are inventive - from fake lotteries, prize draws, lucrative jobs (especially work-from-home schemes) to fake online dating and psychics.

* Scammers will contact you without asking - by email, phone, mail or in person.

* Scammers are often very business-like and appear slick and professional.

Postal Scam Warning

POSTAL SCAM WARNING

It has come to our attention that postal scams are once again being sent to homes in the district.

These latest scams are in the form of letters addressed to individually named house holders informing them that they have won a prize in an overseas lottery.

The letter goes on to say that they require personal bank details in order to make a payment and they even ask for a faxed copy of the recipients passport or drivers licence.

Harborough & Lutterworth police would urge all our members to be cautious when replying to unsolicited mail and would offer the following advice:-

• Always think, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!”
• Never send bank or other personal details to any organisation before you confirm that they are genuine.
• If you are suspicious about mail you have received, take it to your local police station.
• If you are considering sending cash or bank details in the post, ask a friend for a second opinion.

Please pass this message on to as many people as possible.
Your assistance is appreciated.