Fraud Alert - Loan Repayments and Tax Rebates

The Caterham & Warlingham Citizens Advice Bureau is warning people to be aware of new types of fraud that are in operation – one targeting people with loans and another targeting taxpayers – and also to be on alert for other scams.

Thieves are targeting anyone who may have taken out loans. The fraudsters – often from a company with a similar name to an existing loan company – are sending out letters claiming the recipient has missed a repayment deadline and now owe the original debt plus more money. Victims have sent the requested money to the fraudsters and then found they still owe the original company.

In another con the fraudsters, claiming to be from the HMRC, are phoning taxpayers to tell them that they are due a tax rebate. They ask people for their bank card details and then go on to attempt to take money from the victim’s bank account. Another variant of this scam is to send phishing e-mails to taxpayers trying to obtain this information. HMRC is telling customers that they only ever contact people who are due a tax rebate by post.

If you believe you have been targeted you should call the Action Fraud line on 0300 123 2040 or use the online reporting tool on www.actionfraud.org.uk .

Maureen Cox, a senior Advice Session Supervisor at the Bureau, said:  “Many frauds are linked by well organised crime syndicates and victims risk having their personal details passed or sold on from one group to another. The crooks call it a “suckers” list. It is important that people are made aware of the Action Fraud line (which is available 24/7) for reporting incidents. Action Fraud takes the crime reports from victims of fraud and provides them with a crime reference number. This information is then fed to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) – run by the City of London Police – for analysis and possible police action. If anyone has any difficulty in reporting a suspected fraud they are welcome to contact us at the Citizens Advice Bureau for assistance – we are here to help”.

There are many other scams that people need to look out for. Reading and watching the local news media should help people to avoid becoming a victim of the latest con.