Police: Remain Vigilant Regarding Scams
The Bermuda Police Service is once again reminding residents to remain vigilant regarding phone calls, e-mails and other correspondence from unknown persons that attempt to obtain personal information and other sensitive data.
A police spokesperson said, “One recent example is a telephone scam featuring an automated voice recording, apparently from a U.S. prison, which prompts the person to accept the call by pressing a specific number.
“The call was placed from [412] 471-2436. However, it is understood that other telephone numbers with this same area code have also been used.
“Any residents that receive a similar call that claims to be from an overseas prison should hang up immediately and avoid following any directions given.
“Another scam that has come to the attention of police is a fraudulent letter. The deceptive letter, said to be from a Ms. Linda Lee Wee of Dubai, United Arab Emirates [UAE] is concerning an investment opportunity of U.S. $12.8 million and pleads for help to access an inheritance fund, with the enticement of 30% of the money offered in exchange.
“This is clearly a scam and residents are strongly advised to ignore such requests.
“Finally, any e-mails allegedly received from local banks that prompt the recipient to verify their online banking credentials or username and password details because of software upgrades are undoubtedly fake and should be avoided.
“Any incidents of suspected internet fraud should be reported to the Financial Crime Unit on telephone number 247-1757 or via the e-mail addressfraud2@bps.bm.
“Advice on how to avoid and report scams can also be found here.”
The full Scam Letter From Ms. Linda Lee Wee follows below [PDF here]:
I have been getting what seems to be automated phone calls from a prison from telephone number 500-8001.
I don’t void it.
I void it rather.
The reason these scams work is because many companies have policies which endanger customers, such as when they may call up and ask for information etc. As long as these businesses fail to put a stop to such practices, the criminally minded will exploit these avenues laid down. You really cannot deny this. If there was a rule implemented across the board, that no sensitive information should be asked for from customers over the phone etc in any business, then you would not have such issues in the first place. I have had banks ask me sensitive information over the phone, and businesses take full credit card numbers with the final secret digits over the phone for payments. Such practices endanger customers, as do all the businesses here who do not allow customers to sign when they use their card.
This asks for Bank info.