Suffolk Trading Standards and Suffolk Police are urging residents to be alert for telephone scams following reports that a number of residents have been contacted by callers claiming to be from either the tax office, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), or BT.
The BT scam – fraudsters are demanding money from the victim and threatening to turn off broadband service if this is not paid.
The HMRC scam – fraudsters are making aggressive calls stating that the victims owe tax and if they do not pay straight away, they will be arrested.
These are known scams and are used to intimidate victims with threats.
Trading Standards and Suffolk Constabulary would like to remind members of public to never give out personal details, especially National Insurance numbers and bank account details.
For advice on keeping yourself safe against scams, please visit: https://www.suffolk.police.uk/advice/crime-prevention-z.
For more information on this type of crime do visit: http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/news/alert-fraudsters-claiming-to-be-from-hmrc-jun17
More information about current scams can be found https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/news
Alternatively, report incidents of fraud to Action Fraud using their online reporting tool http://www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 1232040.
You can also sign up to the Trading Standards weekly email alert on rogues and scams targeting Suffolk at www.suffolk.gov.uk/JoinTheFight