Aylesbury Vale's Superintendent advises residents to be careful over phone scams

Mike Loebenberg is asking people to make sure the caller is legitimate

Author: Scarlett Bawden-GaulPublished 10th Feb 2021

Aylesbury residents are being urged to check callers are legitimate.

Mike Loebenberg, Aylesbury Vale's Superintendent is reminding residents that police will never ask people to withdraw cash.

Reports of scam callers posing as police officers, or bank employees have been made recently.

The caller asks for cash to be withdrawn from the person bank account because of an issue of fraud, or safety issue.

However, Mike says this is not something the Thames Valley Police would ever do:

"Unfortunately people do sometimes contact people they might see as vulnerable claiming to be a police officer, or someone from a trusted organisation like a bank or utility company.

"Police will never call to ask you to withdraw cash and banks will never ask you to withdraw money or even transfer to another account

"If you are ever approached by someone saying they are an officer or an employee of a company you trust they will not mind if you say you want to take your time and confirm this.

"If you are in any doubt at all please report this to the company and contact the police."

Keeping yourself safe.

On the Buckinghamshire Council they have the following advice from Trading standards about how to prevent people from becoming a victim of scams.

  • Don’t be pressurised into making a decision.
  • If someone is trying to rush you or panic you, they are probably trying to scam you.
  • Only purchase goods from trusted retailers.
  • Be suspicious of requests for money upfront.
  • Do not give your bank card or bank details to a stranger.
  • Never write your PIN number down.
  • Know who you’re dealing with – if you don’t know the person who’s offering you help then ask to be introduced by someone that you know and trust

If you have information or are worried about coronavirus related scams please contact Trading Standards.

You can email trading.standards@bucksandsurreytradingstandards.gov.uk or call on 01296 388788.

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