2007
Consumer Direct has been made aware of a scam involving consumers being telephoned by people, alleging to be from Consumer Direct asking for personal and financial information as part of a survey.
27th November 2007
These callers have no connection with Consumer Direct, and their intention may be to use the information for identity theft or to run up bills or commit crimes using stolen details. Consumer Direct will never contact consumers asking them for personal bank details.
Consumers are advised not to pass on personal or financial information to cold callers either over the phone or via email, and if they have already done so, to contact their bank as soon as possible and review their credit card and bank account statements to see if there have been any unauthorised transactions.
Consumer Direct does conduct surveys in order that we can monitor our performance, but will always write first so that the call is expected.
For advice call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
MEDIA enquiries:
Karen Chilvers
Tel: 020 7211 8676
Mobile: 07785 714273
Email: karen.chilvers@oft.gsi.gov.uk
NOTES
1. Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service funded by government and managed by the Office of Fair Trading. It operates in partnership with Local Authority Trading Standards Services to offer consumers clear, practical and impartial advice and information.
2. Consumer Direct has around 350 trained advisers in 11 contact centres across England, Wales and Scotland.
3. The information and advice helpline is available on a single national telephone number - 08454 04 05 06 from 0800 – 1830 Monday to Friday, and 0900 – 1300 Saturday, excluding bank holidays and public holidays.
4. A Welsh-speaking Consumer Direct service is available on 08454 04 05 05. Minicom users should call 08451 28 13 84.
5. Calls to the Consumer Direct 0845 numbers are charged at no more than four pence per minute from a BT landline. Call charges from other landline providers or mobile phones may vary. Please check the rate with your phone service provider.
6. Northern Ireland has its own service called ConsumerLine (available on 08456 00 62 62) which is similar to Consumer Direct. Visit the ConsumerLine website.
