Scam warning if you get a call from hoaxer pretending to ring from council


People are being warned about a telephone scam where the caller claims to be from Carmarthenshire County Council, encouraging people to claim money for a personal injury claim.
The council has received reports from several concerned people over the weekend, saying they have received a call from someone claiming to be from Carmarthenshire County Council, calling on behalf of National Health Services saying they were entitled to receive compensation relating to a car accident.
The caller provides County Hall as their address, and provides a phone number which is similar to the council’s Contact Centre number.
People are being advised that this is a scam. Anyone who receives a similar call should hang up. Do not provide any personal or financial information to the caller. If you have provided information, and believe you have been scammed, please contact our Trading Standards department.
Cllr Jim Jones, Executive Board Member for Public Protection, said: “This appears to be an attempt to solicit personal or financial information from vulnerable people on the pretence that the caller is representing Carmarthenshire County Council.
“This is of considerable concern to us, and we thank everyone who has contacted us with information about calls they have received.
“Apparently when pressed for further details, the caller provides County Hall as their address and a telephone number that is similar to that of our Contact Centre. However, people have told us that when they have used a call-back system to obtain further details, a different, and unobtainable number, has been used.
“We urge people to be on their guard against this scam. Carmarthenshire County Council does make legitimate phone calls to residents on a range of service issues, but we do not cold call residents in relation to compensation claims, neither will we ask for financial information over the phone.
“If you do receive a phone call from one of our officers and are in doubt about the authenticity of the caller, please call us on 01267 234567 for further advice.
“Our Trading Standards team is investigating and urge anyone who believes they may have been caught out to contact them immediately.”

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