POLICE are warning Chester residents to be vigilant about a new scam that has already conned people across the UK out of thousands of pounds.
It sees scammers cold calling victims, taking their details and offering to enquire whether or not they are eligible for a refund on mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance (PPI).
About a week later the victims receive another call telling them to buy ‘Ukash’ vouchers to receive the refund, which are used to buy goods online and are available in shops and post offices.
The fradusters will then request the 19-digit code on the voucher, enabling them to steal the money and continue to call back to request more money.
So far victims have lost a total of around £5,000 to the scam, with incidents reported in areas of Cheshire including Macclesfield, Poynton, Winsford, Crewe, Sandbach, Northwich, Warrington and Chester.
It appears the fraudsters are particularly targeting the elderly for the scam.
PCSO Melissa Mellor said:
“We would like to highlight this scam to people and ask them to make their elderly relatives and friends aware about it.
“We would ask that anyone who receives a call of this nature, or who believes they may have been a victim, to contact police as soon as possible via the non-emergency number, 101.”
