BRIGG URGED TO BE ALERT TO BOGUS CALLERS

Brigg Town Business Partnership has circulated the following police press release warning the public to take care:

A warning is being sent to people in North Lincolnshire to advise people against giving out personal information such as address, contact details and personal financial information over the telephone.

On Monday 20 August police received a number of calls from people in North Lincolnshire who had been telephoned by somebody claiming to be an officer from Humberside Police. The person on the phone made a number of allegations in what appeared to be an attempt to obtain personal information from the person who answered the phone. The caller told the call taker that they had their home address details and they required their bank account information.

The calls which were made have raised a number of concerns, which are now being investigated by police. An officer has been to visit some of the people who were called to provide reassurance.

Often people who are targeted in this way are the elderly and vulnerable members of the community, however these calls can be made to anyone and they can happen at any time of the day or night.

Humberside Police would like to reassure people that officers would NEVER call a member of the public, in an ad hoc way, to encourage them to report a crime or to advise somebody they have been a victim of crime. It should also be noted that Humberside Police also do not make calls to people and/or businesses in an attempt to sell some form of advertising.

If a member of the public or a local business is approached in this way, then they are advised to call police and not to hand over any confidential or personal information over the phone.

On occasions people may also be approached at their home addresses by people trying to sell things and/or to offer their services. Sometimes these can be legitimate, but also be aware that if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.

If you have been a victim of any form of fraud then you are encouraged to call Action Fraud tel 0300 123 2040.

You can report any offences such as these to Humberside Police tel 101 or call Crimestoppers tel 0800 555 111. You can also visit the Humberside Police website for advice on crime prevention.