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Vigilance call by police over ‘grooming’ type fraudsters

Police are warning the public to be vigilant following recent reports of fraudsters attempting to gain bank details across County Armagh by using ‘vishing’ and ‘phishing’ scam methods.

Detective Sergeant Dolaghan, E District Fraud Unit, said: “Organised criminals and individual fraudsters are continually developing ever more sophisticated  tactics to target business and personal bank customers. Focused phone, which are known as vishing attacks, and email tactics, which are known as phishing attacks, are used to try and trick users into giving them their customer log-in and payment authorisation details.

“The fraudsters use a process of ‘social engineering’, which put simply can be described as ‘grooming’ their victims in order to make them comply with their requests. They say they represent the bank or another well known company and have already garnered some information about the  company or individual.

“During the course of a phone call or email, they elicit enough information to take control of the online banking. The people behind this are organised and knowledgeable both about systems and the companies they claim to represent, as well as the people that they victimise.”

She continued “You as the customer are the first and best line of defence against this kind of fraud. It is vital that each individual is aware of online security  threats, can spot attempted fraud and take steps to avoid this.” 

Always remember that:

1. Legitimate companies and banks will NEVER ask for  your full PIN and password online.

2. Legitimate companies and banks will NEVER  telephone you to ask for your banking PIN and password. Telephone calls asking  for these details will not be from the bank or company, therefore the person  calling is likely to be a fraudster.

Any unsolicited communication or contact from your  bank or another company should be checked. Please contact the bank or company in  the event that you are approached by phone. Try and use a separate phone from  the one that you have been contacted on as the fraudsters can hold open your  phone line and trick you into believing that you are contacting your bank. 

DO NOT disclose account details or access  arrangements with anyone from the bank unless you have contacted them directly. 

If you have been approached or have fallen victim to  this type of scam you are advised to report this to the bank or company  immediately and report the matter to your local police station on the new  non-emergency number 101 or in an emergency please phone 999.

Action Fraud can also be contacted by telephoning  0300 123 2040 or by visiting their website at www.actionfraud.police.uk/home

If you have any concerns or require any further advice, please contact your local Crime Prevention Office on  101.

 

Read more Co Armagh news:

Alert citizen reports TWO skimming devices on city bank machine

Post office ‘must stay in Thomas Street’

 

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