News

Criminals are posing as BT staff and phoning residents to ask them for their personal and payment details in order to upgrade their phone lines to the digital service. If you refuse to cooperate then they threaten to cut off your landline. They are also using emails with similar messages.

As with other frauds, the criminal will also add pressure by claiming the deadline is imminent, even though the deadline set up by BT is January 2027.

HOW TO STAY SAFE
• Ignore any requests for payments and financial information
• Your provider will never ask for money to upgrade to the digital service

Some providers are also employing door to door sales techniques to get residents to upgrade to their service. Always check their identity and if you are not sure, phone that company to check the representative is genuine. Also, never be pressured to make an instant decision on the doorstep

GWR “UK ANNUAL PASS”

This potential fraud has been circulating for a while now, mainly on Facebook. The tempting offer is a “£3 Great Western Railway UK Annual Pass” which could give you unlimited travel around the country.

As with so many frauds, this does sound “too good to be true”, and whilst the website you are directed too may look like an official GWR website, it has been confirmed that no such offer is available and should be ignored.

Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours
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If you’ve fallen for fraud

Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk

Fake Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks. You can also report fraudulent mobile calls by texting 7726 with the word “Call” followed by the fraudster’s phone number.

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number - 159 - to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks