Bank scammers diverted customer telephone calls - Perth

[Kane Lightowler <kanelists () gmail com>]

05 June 2009 - 09:56
Bank scammers diverted customer telephone calls*
http://www.finextra.com/fullstory.asp?id=20103

Police in Perth are investigating an elaborate bank scam in which customer
calls to the Bank of Scotland were intercepted and diverted to fraudsters
who duped the callers into handing over personal account details.*

Up to 25 people are thought to have been hit by the scammers, including a 66
year-old woman in Perth who had £1500 looted from her account, and a 78
year-old who nearly lost £27,00 after handing over her International Bank
Account Number to the fraudsters. On the latter occasion, the bank became
suspicious and intervened to stop the transfer of the funds to a bank
account in India.

In both incidents, customers were initially contacted by a person claiming
to be a Bank of Scotland employee. The caller already had some personal
information about the account holders, helping to lull them into a false
sense of security.

Tayside Police said it appeared the scammers had managed to tamper with
their victim's phone lines, allowing them to divert the call when the women
rang back the genuine Bank of Scotland telephone number.

Detective Chief Inspector Bruce Kerr, in charge of the Criminal
Investigation Department in Perth, says: "We are working closely with the
bank in a bid to track down those responsible.

"I must stress to all members of the public that they should never disclose
or confirm any personal information over the phone, particularly bank
details. If you have any doubt or any concerns, please go into your local
branch personally."

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