LCCC Residents' Magazine : winter 2023

Don't be scammed this Christmas

Last year, the PSNI received 5,600 reports of scam-related crimes. Anyone can be targeted by a scam and criminals will constantly change how they present their fraudulent schemes to draw people in. But the objective is the same – they are trying to obtain your personal and financial details.

Lisburn and Castlereagh PCSP Chair, Councillor Alan Givan.

Most frauds and scams are committed at a distance - usually through phones, social media, emails or text messages. In the last year, there have been instances of criminals using cost of living scams with fake offers of refunds on utility bills, energy tariff discounts and energy or tax rebates.

The best way to stop a scammer is to apply these five rules:

  1. Never click on links in text messages from someone you don’t know.
  2. Never call or text back suspicious numbers.
  3. Never transfer money to someone you don’t know or haven’t met.
  4. Always delete texts asking for personal information or bank account details.
  5. Always forward scam texts to 7726 – the free scam text reporting service. (The number '7726' spells 'SPAM' on an alphanumeric phone keypad – that's a handy way of remembering it).

If you’ve been a victim of a scam, report it to the PSNI at: www.psni.police.uk/report or call 101.  

For more advice on reporting suspicious texts, emails and websites go to: www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams