Elderly in Bedfordshire targeted by scammers over bogus winter payments

Act with caution if you receive a suspicious telephone call
By Clare Turner
Published 29th Sep 2020, 16:11 BST
Updated 29th Sep 2020, 16:14 BST
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The Trading Standards team in Central Bedfordshire is urging elderly residents to be on their guard if they receive a telephone call about “winter payments”.

In a statement, a Trading Standards officer said: "We’ve been made aware of a call received by some residents, whereby the caller has claimed to be from the 'Ministry of Health' and is phoning about 'winter payments' or 'winter fuel payments'.

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"The caller then proceeds to ask for personal details, such as the resident’s address and whether they live alone.

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Act with caution if you receive a suspicious telephone call (Shutterstock)Act with caution if you receive a suspicious telephone call (Shutterstock)
Act with caution if you receive a suspicious telephone call (Shutterstock)

"Although it is not clear what the caller’s intentions are, we would urge anyone who receives this type of call or similar, to act with caution."

The advice is never provide any personal details to a caller who has contacted you out of the blue - and don't be afraid to simply hang up.

If you receive a telephone call which you suspect could be a scam, call the Trading Standards team in Central Bedfordshire on 0808 223 1133.