Be aware of broadband scammers
27 Jun 2024 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Northumberland County Council is urging residents to be vigilant as a concerning trend of broadband-related cyber fraud has emerged in the region.
A staggering 68% of the reported victims have collectively lost a total of £12,571.
The fraudulent scheme begins with unsuspecting individuals receiving phone calls from scammers posing as representatives from their broadband suppliers. The callers claim that the person is experiencing poor internet connection and speed issues and that they can help resolve these problems.
The person is then instructed to download a specific application, allegedly to help in troubleshooting, but this allows the scammer to remotely access the person’s device.
Once access is obtained, the scammer informs the person that numerous viruses have been detected on the device and promises a refund. To facilitate this refund, the person is asked to make a small payment of £2.99 to verify their details.
This seemingly minor transaction allows the fraudsters to capture the victims' card details and subsequently attempt unauthorised transactions, with some victims reporting losses of up to £3,000.
The Council is urging people to exercise extreme caution and follow these guidelines to protect themselves:
- Never download any application or software at the request of unsolicited callers
- Contact your broadband supplier directly using official contact details to verify any claims made during unsolicited calls
- Be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls, especially those asking for personal or financial information
- Regularly check your bank statements for any unauthorized transactions and report them immediately
If you have been targeted by this scam or have any information, please report it to the local authorities or Action Fraud at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/