Just got another new scam call today, this time claiming to be from the NCA.
This one is a recorded message claiming to be from the national crime agency (NCA) and stating that they have detected some illegal activity on my name and national insurance number and need to cancel my national insurance number, press 1 to speak to an agent.
This national crime agency scam aka National Insurance Scam is just one of many scams where fraudsters are posing as National Crime Agency officers over the phone in an attempt to con members of the public out of their money.
Elderly and vulnerable people are being specifically targeted by this NCA National Insurance Scamwith hundreds of thousands of pounds being stolen – and some victims have lost their life savings.
Since April 2018, the NCA has so far recorded 393 reports of scammers claiming to be NCA officers. In comparison, there were 75 reports made during the previous financial year. One can only image how many have not been reported.
The fraudsters are quoting legitimate information about the NCA in an attempt to deceive victims – who are mainly over 60 years old.
The offenders warn victims about a banking scam and persuade them to allow remote access to their computers, or hand over personal information and bank details.
Sometimes they ask their targets to move the money to a “safe” bank account.
They often give a bogus NCA identity number and add to the bluff by citing the real NCA Control Centre phone number.
One case involved a 70-year-old man from London who transferred his life savings of £350,000 out of his account after crooks pretended to be NCA officers and staff from an IT security company. The victim allowed the men remote access to his computer after they said he had been hacked and needed to move his money to safe account.
Chris Hogben, Head of Security at the National Crime Agency, said: “NCA officers will never telephone anyone and ask for remote access to their computer, or ask for any personal or financial information.
“These fraudsters may sound very plausible or put pressure on you. Don’t let them.
“Even if you have the smallest doubt hang up, and use a different phone to call our Control Centre on 0370 496 7622.
“If the call was real we will be able to tell you.
“Elderly and vulnerable people are being specifically targeted. Tell your family and friends and help share this message.”
Members of the public should be aware that an NCA officer will NEVER:
- Ask for remote access to your computer via phone, email or online
- Ask you to verify personal details such as passwords, account numbers or card details via phone, email or online
- Ask you to transfer or hand over money via phone, email or online
- Bully or threaten you into providing this information
Just received an automated call from a mobile no 07443525979, purporti g to be from the NCA. This was to inform me that my NI no was suspended. I hung up immediately. Can I assume that this was a scam?
The same scam was was tried from a mobile number 07982450904 stating they were from the NCA also they are trying this scam someone with a BT phoneline stating it was faulty as that I would be cut off the the next just trying to get details what a carry on.
Phone number 07769 165 371. PLEASE HANG UP IMMEDIATELY! This number is used by scammers and not by the NCA. They told me this morning I was about to be arrested and my NI was suspended. I know, I have not committed any crime or infringement and therefore there was no reason for me to be arrested. I told them exactly where to go. However other people may not be so confident, so JUST HANG UP!
+447387706881 called my national insurance number has been used fraudulently and there is a warrant out for my arrest. “Officer Scott Matthews” took my name then claimed he was able to find my file. When I pointed out there must be thousands of similarly named people in the UK, then how could he be sure it was mine? Click.
Just had the same thing from 07880 606400
Just had the same call from 07468652717 at 12.22. Apparently my NI number has been suspended and I’m about to get arrested. Whoops
Just had from 07411 667307 saying my NI Number has been suspended. I hung up immediately
Had 3 separate calls today stating same thing, I hung up each times. Calls from 07455 796168, 07462 783210 and 07459 850165.
JUST RECEIVED 5 CALL TODAY FRM 07770744733 PURPORTING TO BE FROM THE NCA AND SAYING THEY WERE CANCELLING MY NATIONAL INSURANCE
Same old, same old – from mobile number 07962 016332. Hung up before he finished. Very convincing about urgency. Scary for the elderly or vulnerable.