Police alert over conmen ruse (From Warrington Guardian)

Police alert over conmen ruse

10:20am Monday 8th October 2012 in News

POLICE are warning residents about a scam that has already cost 10 victims across Cheshire £5,000.

One Warrington resident was tricked when a conman called to offer help in refunding Payment Protection Insurance.

Police say the elderly are being targeted with scammers taking details before calling back a few weeks later.

Victims are then told to buy a ‘Ukash’ voucher, used to buy goods online, to get the refund.

The fraudsters then ask for the 19 digit code on the voucher, stealing the cash used to buy it.

CSO Melissa Mellor, from Cheshire Police, said: “We would like to highlight this scam and ask people to make their elderly relatives and friends aware of it.

“We would ask that anyone who receives a call of this nature, or who believes they may have been a victim, contact police as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101.