News / Saved from scam
A PENSIONER in Shetland has been saved from being scammed out of almost £200 by a vigilant shopkeeper.
The woman had received a call from someone claiming to sell payment protection insurance (PPI) who told her he was in Shetland and would be along shortly to provide a cheque for £2,059.
However first he insisted the woman pay in £180 to the Ukash facility in the Mossbank shop in Shetland’s north mainland.
The shop assistant suspected she was being scammed and when his boss called Shetland Islands Council’s trading standards division, they confirmed his suspicions.
Trading standards team leader David Marsh said such calls were common in Shetland and very convincing.
“It’s very easy to believe what the caller is saying, especially if you have had a loan in recent years,” he said.
“We would advise everyone not to respond to such urgent requests for cash – it is all part of the scam to get you to part with your money before you have time to think about it properly.”
Anyone experiencing similar problems is advised to contact his department on 01595 744887 or trading.standards@shetland.gov.uk. More information can be found at www.shetland.gov.uk/tradingstandards.
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