A Ross-on-Wye man, Mr Plant, contacted the Ross Gazette after fraudsters, purporting to be from Sky, cold-called him, and asked him to confirm his name, address, and tell them his date of birth.

Mr Plant told the Gazette that the person on the phone told him that Sky had been over charging him, and he was due a refund.

He was asked by them to confirm his date of birth, which he did not do, as he never gives out personal information on the telephone, and he suspected the call could be a scam. “The thing is, I’ve never been a customer of Sky in my life,” Mr Plant said.

Fisching is a technique that fraudsters often employ, and once they have a victim’s full name, address and date of birth, they may then be able to commit identify theft.

Action Fraud have issued advice on their website about a scam involving refunds on Sky cards.

Action Fraud report that victims are cold-called by people purporting to be from Sky. One resident in Cumbria alerted police after receiving a cold call where the scammers told the home owner their Sky card was due to expire soon and an overpayment was on their account which needed to be refunded.

The scammers asked for bank details in order to issue the refund. The following day a Barclay’s card reader arrived in the post and a further telephone call was received.

Again, bank details were requested, along with PIN numbers. The victim became suspicious and did not provide any further details. No refunds were received and Sky have confirmed that they would never contact a customer asking for these details.

Protect yourself

Fraudsters move and change the geographical areas they operate in; all UK residents should also be aware about this type of scam and follow this advice:

• Never give out your bank, credit card details or PIN number in any circumstances

• Legitimate businesses will never ask you to disclose personal information

• If you receive a suspicious call end it immediately and report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk