FOR MANY IT may appear to be one of the most obvious scams currently in operation – but according to police people are falling for it nevertheless.
Scammers are now calling homes throughout Moray and the North East claiming to represent HMRC and warning people that they are overdue with tax payments – then telling them to purchase iTunes vouchers and give them the voucher numbers to pay their ‘debt’.
Police say that while it is generally known by young people that iTunes vouchers can only be used for purchasing such as music, books and apps from the Apple store, elderly and vulnerable people are not so aware and so are potential victims of the scam.
Constable Jim Watson said: “The Inland Revenue would never require any payment by means of iTunes or any other gift cards, so if you receive a call making such demands then please hang up and contact the Police.
“It’s important to know that iTunes Gift Cards can only be used to purchase goods and services on the iTunes Store, App Store, iBooks Store, or for an Apple Music membership. If you’re contacted by telephone and approached to use the cards for payment out with the iTunes Store, App Store, iBooks Store, or Apple Music, you are very likely the target of a scam and should immediately report it to your local police.
“Please do not ever provide the numbers on the back of the card to someone you do not know. Once those numbers are provided to the scammers, the funds on the card will likely be spent before you are able to contact Apple and cancel the cards.”
For more advice on Keeping Safe and avoiding scammers please visit www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe.
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