Sky TV phone scam exposed by watchdog

A PHONE scam in which conmen pose as Sky TV staff in a bid to retrieve bank details has been exposed by Trading Standards watchdogs.

Musselburgh residents appear to be the main targets of the bogus callers who claim they can reduce the price of Sky protection insurance.

The caller claims to have the first six digits of the customer’s bank card, before asking for the remaining digits.

Derek Gray, principal Trading Standards officer, said: “These calls don’t seem to be too widespread – just in the EH21 postcode area – but we think it’s important to make people aware now so that we can try and nip this in the bud.

“If you have a bank card, it usually has the same first six digits as other customers’ cards. It’s only the remaining numbers that are different. But we are concerned that some people may be taken in if a caller can recite these numbers.”

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: “We would urge anyone who receives a call of this nature to avoid giving out their bank details, and to terminate the call immediately.

“A legitimate caller from a bank or any other company will never ask you to disclose details of your account number or Pin.

“Anyone who doubts the authenticity of any caller should contact the company or organisation they claim to represent to verify their identity.”