A FORMER borough mayor is warning others to be on their guard after receiving numerous scam phone calls.
Madge Tillsley MBE has been targeted by fraudsters calling her ex-directory number at least half a dozen times in the last two weeks.
She told the Standard they had asked her whether she owned a laptop or computer, but when she asked them for a number they refused to respond.
“One said he was from London but his phone number started with 001 which meant he was calling from overseas.” she said.
“Another lady rang and when I asked for her number, she wouldn’t give it to me. I asked her how she had got my number and she said she was speaking from Oxfordshire, but only people in Redditch have my number.”
When Mrs Tillsley attempted to find who had called by ringing 141, she was informed the number was withheld.
She added: “I want to let the public know what’s going on and warm them, especially older people.”
Det Insp Mark Glazzard, from the economic crime unit of West Mercia Police, said computer software service fraud had been around for a number of years.
“The callers will convince the victims there is a problem with their computer and they can fix it.” he added.
“Often they will claim to be from Microsoft or another company working on their behalf. In some instances the fraudsters have encouraged the victims to give them remote access to their computers and have then installed harmful viruses.
“In other instances the fraudsters have encouraged victims to hand over sometimes substantial amounts of money to pay for a problem they never had.”
Residents should hang up immediately if they get a call and report the incident to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. Visit www.westmercia.police.uk for more advice.
