PARWICH.ORG

PARWICH.ORG received its first input as a member of the Ringmaster Scheme today:

Warning over online cashback banking scam – 23 June 2008

Trading standards are warning people of a new online banking scam telling them they are due a cash refund. The emails claim to be from a leading high street bank and ask people to follow a link in order to claim money. Derbyshire County Council’s trading standards team are warning people not to respond to any unsolicited emails.

An example of the latest scam email reads:”Your debit/cash card might receive a refund worth £289.40 as a result of points accumulated through online payments. “Please submit the reward request immediately and allow us 2 – 3 business days in order to process it and the money clear into your account.” Another email scam requests that people carry out “customer data verification” and asks them to login via a link on the page. By clicking on the link your computer may be vulnerable to attack from viruses or spyware. 

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety Clive Moesby said: “There are lots of scams circulating at any one time and they are getting more and more sophisticated.”

If you receive an e-mail similar to this, do not respond and do not click on the link. “By opening or viewing a preview of the email, or by clicking on the link within the email, your computer may download things that can be harmful.”

Our advice is to delete the email immediately or forward it onto trading standards.” If you are concerned about something you have received on line or think you have been a victim of a scam you can call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or visit http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk (opens in a new window). You can forward any suspicious emails to scams@oft.gsi.gov.uk.

If you have any information relating to incidents please DO NOT reply to this email but contact 0845 164 1644.

Derbyshire Constabulary can be contacted on 0845 123 33 33, or in an emergency 999. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.