Public Urged To 'Be On Their Guard Against Fraudsters'

Causeway Coast and Glens PSNI have issued an appeal to the public to be "on their guard against fraudsters" and look out for the signs of how to spot and stop possible online scams.

The appeal comes as police continue to receive reports of scams and attempted scams across Northern Ireland.

These have included calls to police in relation to online ticket fraud, investment fraud and scammers impersonating officials from HMRC, bank/financial institutions and most recently online tuition businesses.

The PSNI said that they know from reports made to us, that some people who are contacted by fraudsters are able to spot the scam and stop it, and do not experience any financial loss. However, some of these fraudsters are so convincing and there are victims who are unfortunately conned.

Scammers will stop at nothing in an attempt to dupe people, whether it's on the phone, via email or, through the more sophisticated ploys where people become victims of investment scams, the PSNI said.

The police warning states: "Police cannot stress enough just how important it is to be scam aware and to know how easy it is to fall victim to a scam if you don't spot the early warning signs.

"Our message is simple – never disclose your personal or banking details to anyone over the phone or online, no matter how convincing they come across.

"The best way to stop this scam is to apply these five important rules;

1) Never click on links in text messages from someone you do not know

2) Never call or text suspicious numbers back

3) Never ever transfer money to someone you do not know or have not met

4) Always delete texts requesting personal or financial information or bank account details

5) Always forward scam texts to 7726 – the free scam text reporting service

"If you have been a victim of a scam, report it to police online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or call on 101, to your bank immediately, online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

Information and advice can also be found via www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni or by the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni."