Central Bedfordshire Council’s Trading Standards team is warning residents and small businesses to be aware of a potential telephone scam that claims you have been approved for a loan.
We have had a report from a concerned consumer who has received a suspicious telephone call, whereby the caller claimed to be calling from a loan company and was using the telephone number "0208 1441427". The caller proceeded to inform the consumer that they had been approved for a recent loan application. In order for the loan to be processed the consumer was informed that they had to make a £218 payment via Western Union as a first instalment claiming the loan amount would be transferred into their account within the next two hours.
Our advice to consumers and small businesses is that a legitimate loan company would never contact you by telephone and ask you to transfer a release fee. You should never give your details to anybody over the telephone unless you are absolutely certain of their intentions. Never be intimidated into making a quick decision and always take a moment to ask yourself whether the offer sounds genuine. If you show any interest in the offer being made, you may be identified as a possible target for a future scam attempt. If, at any point, you are unsure as to whether the offer being made or the caller is genuine, do not be afraid to hang up the telephone.
If you have any information about suspect rogue traders or would like to report a possible scam please initially contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06, in order so that all relevant regulatory authorities can be notified.
In the meantime, please visit our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/bescamaware for advice and guidance on how to spot a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.
Kind regards
Trading Standards
(Community Safety and Public Protection)
Thanks for the heads up! That scam's been on the rise again and it's all over the news.
ReplyDeleteI actually got a call like that, too. Told me the same thing. Same scam script. But there's no way they're fooling me. I know enough.
By the way, that call I got came from this number 631-886-3009. Do you have it in your records, too? I looked it up online and it came up at http://www.callercenter.com. Looks like he's made a few rounds already and the victims reported him.
ReplyDelete