Local SNP MSP Derek Mackay has urged constituents to be alert to a new telephone scam that is circulating round the country.



Commenting Mr Mackay said:

“Bogus callers are a real nuisance.  They are often from overseas and prey on the most vulnerable in society by catching people out so they give personal details away. It is very easy for people unsure about technology, particularly the elderly, to be tricked by these calls.

“This most recent scam is particularly sneaky, playing on people’s suspicion about bogus calls.  These calls, I have been informed, claim to be from BT or the Telephone Preference Service, offering protection from bogus callers. The sting comes when the recipient of the call agrees that they would like this service and are then asked for their bank details to pay in the region of £50 for the service.

“I want to stress to my constituents that the Telephone Preference Service is free. No-one from the TPS will call you up and ask for money. Anyone doing so is a fraudster and you should simply hang up the phone.

“None of us like to get caught out by scams. Unfortunately, it can still be easy to get caught out on occasion.  Please remember that a genuine caller will not mind you checking who they are.

“Signing up for the TPS – which you can do online or by phone - is a good idea. Although, sadly, there is little they can do at the moment about calls from calls from overseas that deliberately flout the law, they do give some defence against bogus calls and telemarketers.”

NOTE:

Register with the Telephone Preference Service by calling 0845 070 0707 or online at www.tpsonline.org.uk .

More information on the bogus TPS calls can be found at http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/news1.html.