Scammers target South Hams residents with phone delivery scam

Residents are being warned about a fraud where criminals use stolen personal information to order mobile phones in someone else's name and arrange delivery to the victim's address.

Victims are then contacted and told the phone has been delivered in error and needs to be collected or returned.

How the scam works:

• Fraudsters use stolen personal details and social engineering to obtain the details of your mobile phone contract
• Then, pretending to be you, they order a new phone, and the phone is delivered to your address
• You are then contacted by someone claiming to be from the retailer, courier company, or mobile network provider, saying that an error has been made
• You are then asked to arrange its return by handing the phone over to another courier or sending it on to a specific address
• If you pass the phone on without doing any checks, the criminals keep the handset, and you may be left dealing with a fraudulent account opened in your name

How to protect yourself:

• Never hand over a phone to an unexpected visitor or send onto an address without independently verifying that address
• If you receive a phone you did not order, immediately contact the supplier directly using trusted and verified publicly available contact details
•.Do not rely on phone numbers, WhatsApp messages, emails or collection details provided by any person contacting you
• Only agree to a collection that has been properly arranged and that you have verified independently
• Ask your mobile phone provider whether you can add a password, PIN, passphrase or memorable word to your account - this provides an additional layer of security and can help prevent unauthorised access or changes to your mobile phone account
• Check your bank accounts, and mobile phone accounts regularly for signs of identity fraud
• Consider registering with a credit reference agency that allows you to monitor for suspicious activity

If you are the victim of Fraud or Cybercrime

Report online here: Report Fraud - UK's Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud

Or call: 0300 123 2040

To quickly contact your bank dial 159

Remember - If you receive an unexpected mobile phone delivery, do not hand it over to anyone until you have independently verified who owns it and what arrangements should be made for its return. If a suspect attends your address or you feel threatened, immediately call 999.