Police urge residents to beware of scam (From Knutsford Guardian)

Police urge residents to beware of scam

2:10pm Wednesday 26th September 2012 in News

POLICE are warning residents about a new scam that has already conned 10 people across Cheshire.

Victims have lost around £5,000 so far, with incidents reported in Northwich, Winsford, Crewe, Sandbach,Warrington, Chester, Macclesfield and Poynton.

Scammers cold call their victim, taking their details and offering to investigate if they are eligible for a refund on mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance (PPI). The victim will then receive a call a few weeks later, telling them to buy ‘Ukash’ vouchers to receive the refund.

The vouchers are used to buy goods online and are available in shops and post offices.

The fraudsters request the 19-digit code on the voucher, enabling them to steal the money.

They will then continue to call back to request more money. The victim will not receive the PPI refund. The fraudsters target the elderly for this scam in particular.

PCSO Melissa Mellor said: “We would like to highlight this scam to people and ask them to make their elderly relatives and friends aware about it.

“We would ask that anyone who receives a call of this nature, or who believes they may have been a victim, contact police as soon as possible via the non-emergency number, 101.”