A scam telephone call has recently been made to a Ross-on-Wye resident.

The victim received a phone call on Friday, November 3rd, from a male purporting to be from the company ‘TalkTalk’ who said he was calling concerning ‘issues with the ISP’.

He stated his name was ‘Shaun Dawson’, spoke with a foreign accent and gave an address of Evesham Street in London. The scammer sounded very convincing and was allowed access to the victim’s computer and personal details were compromised. Luckily the victim’s bank intercepted the transactions believing them to be fraudulent.

The police have advice for anyone who receives a suspicious cold call – end it immediately and ensure the line is cleared before making any further calls, if in doubt use another phone.

Fraudsters are cunning in their phone-scam tactics and it’s not always easy or obvious to tell straight away whether it’s a scam.

What is a vishing phone scam?

These cold-call scams typically involve fraudsters deceiving people into believing they are speaking to a police officer, a member of bank staff or a representative of another trusted company or agency such as a government department.

Usually, the fraudster will convince an individual that they have been a victim of fraud and will ask for personal and financial information in order to gain access to their account.

Never disclose the following:

• Four-digit card Pin

• Full password or online banking codes

• Personal details, unless you are sure who you are talking to

If you think you have been subject to this, or a victim of any similar fraud, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.