Bury St Edmunds woman conned out of £8,000 and her passport by phone scammers
Conmen frightened a woman into handing over all her money – as well as a copies of her passport – before trying to threaten her into parting with more.
The woman, who lives in Bury St Edmunds , paid out almost £8,000 and sent a copy of her passport to the scammers, who claimed to be tax collectors from HM Revenue and Customs.
Even when the victim insisted she had no money left to transfer, the fraudsters continued making threats and demanding another £4,000.
Suffolk Trading Standards have now issued a warning for people who receive a similar call, to hang up and released a video and recording of a typical call.
The victim, who has not been named, said: "I received a phone call claiming they were from HMRC and that I owe a tax of £1,974. I was threatened that they have a warrant of arrest and I was so afraid as I was alone in the house and there is no one I can talk to, so I paid it through bank transfer.
"After that they sent documents to my WhatsApp and email showing I have to pay another £4,000 to drop the allegations against me, and it will be refunded to me. I wasn't thinking clearly as they pressured me, so I paid them.
"They then asked me for another £1,997 for document charges so I did pay them, but afterwards they sent another document with the supreme court logo saying that was for judicial judge payments, amounting to £4000.
"Then I realised this might be scam as they are asking for more, but when I said that I don't have any more money to pay, they told me the police will be at my house within one hour. I hung up as I didn't have any more money to pay."
The victim was able to recover all the money back via her bank but is worried after sending copies of her passport, as well as a recent, she could become a victim of identity theft.
A spokesman for Suffolk Trading Standards, said: "If you receive a similar phone call, hang up. Do not give any personal details. If you think your financial information has been compromised, contact your bank immediately.
"The victim was advised to contact the Home Office to advise them that her passport could be copied, and to also apply for protective registration on the national fraud database through the non-for profit organisation CIFAS ."
Scams should be reported by calling Trading Standards on 0808 223 1133.
You can report HMRC scams at phishing@hmrc.gov.uk
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