NHS Shetland warns of phone scam
Adam Guest
NHS Shetland is warning folk of a telephone scam after an elderly woman had money taken from her bank account this week.
In a statement the health board said a man phoned the woman and gave the impression he was calling about her medication. It is understood the sum was £270.
NHS Shetland said: “He did not give his name but said that he was in charge of her drugs and advised her to stop some, stating he would provide her with different “herbal” medication.
“The man went on to ask for bank details, which unfortunately the patient gave to him.
“The scammer removed funds from the bank account and the police have been informed, as have trading standards.
“NHS Shetland would remind the public to be aware that this has happened and to be mindful that while pharmacy or health centre staff may contact patients from time to time to discuss medicines, they will never ask for bank details.
“If anyone receives a call of this kind, they should end the call and contact their local health centre immediately.”
Gregory Adams
Why did she just believe someone she doesn’t even know asked for her bank details over the phone? Can’t she just even look up the number online, on some sites like http://callercenter.com, maybe? Or just simply Google it. Why nowadays people are easy to trust someone they don’t even know personally? It always dangerous. Honest people in these days are maybe just 1:10 compared with the bad guys. You always have at least your family, which are the good place to share about something you don’t understand. Come on, lads. Don’t be a fool people.
David Spence
It does not surprise me that people getting scammed via the phonecall. Many scammers have become very, very good at convincing people to part with their financial crudentials, and for those scammers to then use this information to extract money from your bank account or credit card.
One of the most common scammers are those who report to be from the ‘ Microsoft Technical Team ‘ who inform you that your computer is infected with all sorts of viruses, trojans, adaware etc etc. They get you to perform various tasks related to Windows Operating System (which anybody can do, and as a means to convince you more they are helping you). They then inform you that they will install the appropriate software to tackle the problem your computer allegedly has.
Here is the crux of the conversion. Once they have installed this software (which they have not) they then ask you to go to a website and disclose your bank details. If you do this, they can use this information to clean your bank account.
These people are usually from India, and are very convincing in their task to rob you blind.
My advice would be either a) hang up straight away or b) Disconnect your modem from the computer or switch it off and disconnect, and waste their time by pretending you know nothing about computers and get the thieving little so and so’s to continually repeat their instructions until they hang up on you. lol
Banks or Microsoft would never phone you up and ask for your bank details.
If you get a call like this or similar, just hang up.