Warning to Hemel residents over 'Amazon' phone scam

Victims are receiving voicemail messages claiming they are going to be billed for an Amazon Prime subscription.

The message directs them to press ‘1’ on their keypad to speak to an account manager, after which they are connected to a fraudster who then demands the victim’s bank details to cancel the subscription.

The scammers have also been asking the victims to download an app called ‘Team Viewer’.

Once this has been installed on a device, the scammers gain remote access to the device and all the personal data that is stored on it.

Action fraud case manager Elaine Crate said: “Amazon will never contact its customers via a phone message and ask you to divulge personal and bank details in this way.

“We advise never to click on any links or download apps under these circumstances. Inform your bank immediately if you think you have downloaded a suspect app and do not use your device until it has been analysed by a security professional.

“If you do think you have may have given bank details to a fraudster then please contact your bank immediately to advise them what has happened."

You can report incidents to Action Fraud either by telephone on 0300 123 2040 or online at: www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud.

If you consider yourself vulnerable please dial 101 to be connected to Hertfordshire Constabulary.

A police spokesman added: "Please help us to raise awareness by sharing this warning with your friends and family, especially if they are vulnerable or elderly.”