Beware of fraudulent calls from ‘Citizens Advice Bureau’

Imposters claiming to be from Citizens Advice are cold calling people offering help with accident claims or debt issues.

CAB will never contact you to sell you something or, for example, to offer you a loan.

What to do if you think it’s a scam

If you are cold called or get a text about things such as loan offers, help with debt problems or accident claims – it is almost certainly a scam.

Make sure you:

• don’t give or confirm any personal information
• report the call immediately to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at www.actionfraud.police.uk/report-a-fraud-including-online-crime
• contact your local Citizens Advice for free, confidential and impartial expert advice to help resolve your problems.

• Alternatively these calls can be reported to Action Fraud. You will be given a crime number but no further correspondence from the police after this. Action Fraud collate the data to spot anything that gives away who the scammers are (although there are thousands of these scam calls every day and they go to great lengths to keep their identity hidden.)

Signs of a scam

• The call, letter, e-mail or text has come out of the blue.
• They are asking you to send money in advance.
• They are saying you have to respond quickly, so you don’t get time to think about it or ask family and friends before you decide.
• They are telling you to keep it a secret.
• They seem to be offering you something for nothing. If it seems too good to be true – it probably is. 

How to protect yourself better:

• Never give out contact details like your name, phone number or address to strangers or to people who should have this information already.
• In particular, NEVER give your financial information or details of your identity, bank accounts or credit card to strangers or to businesses that should already hold your details.
• Shred anything with your personal or bank details on it – don’t just throw it away.
• If in doubt, don’t reply. Bin it, delete it or hang up.
• If you are interested, resist pressure to make a decision straight away. Get advice from friends, neighbours etc first. If the seller discourages this, that’s a sure sign they have something to hide.
• Always read the small print of any deal before you sign. If in doubt about anything, ask for clarification – and get advice from a third party.
• Never send money to someone you don’t know.