Scam warning after local tradesman’s email account hacked

Detectives in Ardmore are urging members of the public and businesses to be vigilant following a report of email fraud recently.

Police received a report from a local tradesman who told said his email account had been hacked and an email had been sent to a client instructing them to send payment to a new bank account.

Detective Chief Inspector Will Tate said, “Thankfully, a payment for a large sum of money from a client was stopped before it was processed and no money was lost.

“I want to take this opportunity to ask people to be vigilant. Scammers and fraudsters are inventive and the schemes they use are varied, but the aim remains the same – to take money from unsuspecting members of the public.

“Do not be fooled into giving out personal or banking details via email,” he warned.

“Be sceptical and, if something is suspicious about the correspondence, it usually is a scam.

“Guarding your personal online and banking details is essential. Never disclose them to any unauthorised person. Education is our best weapon, preventing people from becoming victims.

“And remember, if you can spot a scam you can stop a scam,” he added.

If you have been a victim of fraud please report it to Action Fraud via their website www.actionfraud.police.uk or by phoning 0300 123 2040, or call police on the non-emergency number 101.

Further advice and information can also be obtained by visiting www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni or the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni

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Posted by Newry Times News on Jul 3 2018. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry