Telephone scammers demand bank details including across W Berkshire

According to ActionFraud, the national fraud reporting centre, scammers have been cold calling people pretending to be from BT.
They claim the customer’s latest bill has not been paid and the account is therefore in arrears, before demanding immediate payment using a credit or debit card, whilst threatening to disconnect the line, adding it will cost more to reconnect, if the bill is not paid.
If challenged, the scammers attempt to demonstrate that they are from BT by disconnecting the phone line for a few minutes.
The scammer simply presses the mute button and remains on the line, thus preventing and also overhearing any attempts to make calls and before calling back to demand payment.
BT has stated they may telephone customers about outstanding accounts - but would never disconnect a line during the call.
Although the scam uses the BT name, fraudsters often use any other service provider.
ActionFraud advise - do not give out banking details on the telephone unless sure of the recipient and hang up if in doubt.
To report a fraud and receive a police crime reference number, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk