Halton Borough Council Trading Standards Officers are warning Halton consumers are again being targeted by bogus telephone calls threatening to disconnect their internet.
There was a spate of these last year in the area.
These calls are automated and state they have detected fraudulent activity on the consumers internet connection and it will be disconnected.
Consumers are urged to press ‘one’ on their telephone keypad.
Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for Trading Standards, Cllr Dave Cargill, said: “It is highly likely they will then ask for the consumers personal details and/or ask them to make a payment. This is a scam, please hang up the phone.”
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam or fraud please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 0808 223 1133Halton Trading Standards has issued a warning about this scam on itsiCAN (Consumer Alert Network) system. iCAN is a free email alert service and was originally developed to warn consumers about scams operated by cold callers and doorstep callers.
The system is now also used to let members know about free services, education and training opportunities and social events that are organised by the council or voluntary and charity groups.
From time to time the system is also used to ask members to be their eyes and ears and provide information about what is happening in the community.
Members can opt to receive some or all of the categories. If you want to join send an email with your name and address to trading.standards@halton.gov.uk.