The following warning was received from the Cyber Crime team at Dyfed-Powys Police:

We are continuing to see people falling foul of criminals who pretend to be from the bank and state that the victim's bank account has been compromised.

Sometimes it follows a fake test message (the victim realises that it is a scam and deletes the text). However, a day later the victim receives a call from a criminal claiming to be from the bank, who states that they are aware that the victim has received a fake text message and their bank account has now somehow been compromised.

The next stage is to get the victim to move their money into a 'safe' account, which is actually the criminal's account. If the victim says that their banking app is stating that the 'safe' account cannot be verified, the criminal (pretending to be the bank) says that the account has only just been set up, but is safe. They will often tell the victim to phone the number on the back of their bank card to check, but add that the victim may lose all their money as they will have to wait to be connected and go through the verification process with another member of banking staff.

The pressure is on, the victim is worried about losing their money, and so they go ahead and transfer the money without phoning the bank, believing that they are already speaking with a trusted employee of the bank.

It is a reminder that criminals do not care who they steal from: it is a business.

Warning! Be aware:

• Criminals are phoning and pretending to be your bank.
• They say that your account has been compromised and that you need to move money to a safe account. A real bank will never do this.
• If you receive this type of call, put the phone down and do not engage in conversation.
• Wait five minutes before calling anyone else, in case the line has been kept open.
• Phone the number of the back of your card if you ever need to confirm details with your bank.

DC357 Gareth Jordan, Cyber Protect Officer
Cyber Crime Team
Dyfed-Powys Police
Police HQ, PO Box 99, Llangunnor, Carmarthen SA31 2PF

Email gareth.jordan@dyfed-powys.police.uk

Always report suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk