TWO victims of phone scammers lost almost £40,000 between them at the weekend after fraudsters told them their online bank accounts had been hacked and got access to their personal details.
Police are urging the public to be extra vigilant following the separate cases in Northern Ireland, in which both individuals received telephone warnings from callers falsely claiming to be from computer broadband and search engine companies.
One person lost £25,000 while a second had £14,000 taken from their online bank account.
PSNI superintendent Simon Walls warned people to be wary of 'cold callers' asking for personal details, money, banking or credit card information on the telephone.
"Typically the victim then gives the scammer remote access to their computer to fix the issue. Once the scammer is in to the computer and personal details are given by the victim on line bank accounts can be accessed and significant amounts of money lost, money you may well never get back.
"If you are at all suspicious about a call that you receive, hang up and phone the organisation that the person is purporting to represent to check their authenticity. Ideally make the call from another telephone so you can be sure the original caller has not remained on the line. Never be pressured into a transaction over the phone."
Meanwhile, it has also emerged that skimming devices were attached to ATM cash machines in the Larne and Carrickfergus areas.
People are being advised to cover their PIN number when getting money.
A dedicated Action Fraud number has been set up by police at 0300 123 2040.
