Protecting yourself from scam callers

Fraudsters can call you and pretend to be from London Mutual, the Police, DWP, HMRC, or other organisations. 

Scam calls can sound authentic and professional, so it is easy to believe the call is genuine. 

Be aware of:

• Calls You Don't Expect

  If the call comes 'out of the blue' and you weren't expecting it, it is more likely to be a scam. If you are not sure, hang up and phone the organisation yourself using the phone numbers from their websites.

• Pressurising Calls

  Fraudsters want to hurry you to make a quick decision and scare you. They will often try to panic you by mentioning potential fraud or data leaks. They may also ask you to 'keep it quiet and not tell anyone about the call. Don't trust anyone who does this.

• Requests to Transfer Money

  Scam calls may ask you to transfer money to another account, claiming it is for security or safety reasons. Don't do this. We will never ask you to move money to a 'safe' account, nor will we ever provide bank details over the phone in this way. 

• Refunds

  If a call unexpectedly offers you a refund and asks for your bank details, it is likely to be a scam. If we owe you any money, we will transfer the funds directly to the account you hold with us, then let you know.

• Test Transactions

  If a caller asks you to do a test transaction, then it's a scam. London Mutual will never ask you to do this.

• Calls From the Police

  It's very rare for the Police or other Law Enforcement to call you directly out of the blue. If they do call, they will always follow up with an in-person visit by a uniformed officer. If in any doubt, you should ask for a photo ID and a warrant number before letting them into your home.

• Attempts to Access Your Computer

  A scam call may tell you there's something wrong with your computer or ask you to download something. They could pretend to be from your broadband provider or a trusted software company. Unless you are expecting a call, it is highly likely to be a scam.

What we ask you to do

If you get a call you may think is not genuine, you can stay safe by:

• Hang up the Phone

  If you are not sure who's calling, hang up the phone.

• Tell Them You'll Call Them Back

  But use a number you trust, not the number they used or gave you. If they say it's the police, you can call back on 101.

• Contact Us

  If you get a call from someone claiming to be us that seems suspicious, please get in touch. Scam calls can come from a number that looks genuine. Call our help desk on 02037731751 (option 4) or email help@creditunion.co.uk.

• Do Not Transfer Any Money

  Your bank or the police will never call and ask you to move money from your account.

• Don't Give Anyone Access to Your Computer

  Unless you have asked a company you know and trust to do so, do not let anyone take remote control of your computer. If you think someone may be doing this, cut the power to the computer and the internet connection immediately.

• Do Not Say What is On Your Computer Screen

  A real call would not ask you to tell them what's on your computer screen.

• Keep an Eye on Your Account

  Make sure you know what's paid in and out of your account. If a large amount of money appears unexpectedly, check its source. Fraudsters can try to take out a loan in your name. Once the money is in your account, they may call and pretend to be us to get you to move it to another account.

• Keep an eye on your overdraft:

  Some scams target your overdraft. Get in touch immediately if you notice that it's been used without your knowledge or if the limit goes up.

Remember!

If you're not sure about a call, hang up the phone.