Beware of Phone Scams: A Cautionary Tale

Photo: Glorious afternoon so I had a walk  around Cockburn reservoir, hoping to see the two swans but they have gone, perhaps to a better feeding ground.


This morning, I received a phone call from the bank wanting to check a payment I had authorised for £800 . Well, I hadn’t so I put the phone down.
I dialled 1471 to get the last number and sure enough it was a mobile one. 

I mentioned this to our decorator friend ( we are in the middle of having the house repainted) and he immediately told me a of a recent case of a client of his , an elderly woman, who lost £30,000 as a result of a phone scam.

Then later this afternoon M was surprised to get a text from Debenhams querying a payment of £67.90 to Podclub. He had no recollection of making such a payment nor had he ever heard of Podclub.
So, he rang Debenhams and yes they had text him to query the payment since the card was rarely used. 
Yes there are some scammers who are able to access certain credit cards.

 That’s how they got hold of M’s details.

In today's digital age, phone scams have become alarmingly sophisticated, preying on unsuspecting individuals. 
  Older people, like ourselves, are now regarded as soft targets.  

So, what should you do when you get these calls? 
1. Stay Calm and Verify: Do not panic. Hang up and call your bank directly using the number on the back of your card or from their official website to verify the legitimacy of the call or message.
2. Do Not Share Personal Information: Never provide your personal or financial information over the phone unless you are sure of the caller's identity.
3. Report the Scam: If you suspect you've been targeted by a scam, report it to your bank and local authorities immediately.
4. Educate Yourself -Stay informed about the latest scam tactics .