Islanders are being urged to be vigilant against scammers posing as BT employees.
The Western Isles Council (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) received a report from a Stornoway resident about a call taken at their elderly parents’s house.
Posing as a BT employee, they used the elderly resident’s name and requested money be paid immediately to settle arrears on their account.
It was only around a £2 fee.
The caller threatened that a letter had already been sent to the householder explaining that the rental cost had increased and if not settled at that time the phone line would be disconnected.
When questioned by the Stornoway resident, the caller proceeded to quickly exit the call by hanging up.
The scammer had called from a withheld number.
‘If you are in any doubt just put the phone down’
Jay Moran of the council’s Trading Standards said even the smallest of amounts can have a lasting impact.
He said: “Please do not be rushed into making any financial decisions at such short notice. The amount requested may have been small in this case and was not paid, fortunately.
“However, once a scammer has a person’s bank details, they are likely to attempt to take any amount. Our advice is if you are in any doubt just put the phone down, ignore the call, and wait to see if a legitimate company may write to you for example.”
Anyone with concerns for themselves or someone you know who may be receiving such nuisance and scam calls should call Trading Standards on 01851 822694 for further assistance.
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