Police are investigating incidents of cold callers claiming to be from Trading Standards, claiming that people are owed up to £4,950 and these funds will be released in exchange for £100 in iTunes vouchers.
A Cumbria Police spokesman said: “The caller encourages people not to inform anyone what is happening and to tell staff when buying the vouchers that “they are a Christmas present”. The caller will call back numerous times to encourage the person to buy the vouchers as soon as possible.
“The callers use landlines only and police are particularly concerned for potential elderly victims.
“Calls have been reported in the Carlisle area, but it is believed that this is a wider issue.”
Any calls of this nature should be reported to police on 101 quoting log 92 of 6th December 2018 and it is advised that the cold caller should be told that police are aware and are investigating as this has deterred them from calling back before.
