DERRY City and Strabane District Council has advised the public not to provide their bank details to callers who are allegedly purporting to be Council officials.
The warning comes following a suspected fraud that was brought to the Council’s attention by officials in Belfast City Council.
BCC received reports of members of the public in their Council area being contacted by phone by fraudsters requesting bank details to facilitate the release of a cheque.
Alfie Dallas, Lead Finance Officer with Derry City and Strabane District Council said while he is unaware of any alleged incident in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area, he wanted to err on the side of caution by warning the public to be extremely vigilant and not to provide their bank details over the phone to anyone purporting to be a Council official.
“This matter has been brought to our attention and we are keen to pass on this information to the public in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area, encouraging them to be vigilant and to reassure them that no Council official would contact them by phone and ask for their bank details.
“We would also encourage members of the public to report any suspicions they may have to both their bank and the police immediately,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PSNI reiterating the awareness message have advised that they will be setting up a Pop Up Shop this Friday in Foyleside Shopping Centre where the public can get advice and assistance to provide advice on internet safety and cyber-crime while Action Fraud staff will be on site to offer advice and assistance.