Residents in Newtown are being warned to be on their guard in a rise against letter, phone and internet scams.
Dyfed Powys Police has received reports of scams, with some claiming to be from well-known companies including Microsoft, Talk Talk and the Postcode Lottery, seeking access to personal information and money.
In some instances they have become threatening to the receiver of the call when they do not comply with their demands.
The Force’s Digital Communications and Cybercrime Unit (DCCU) is concerned by the increase in volume of reports coming through the Communications Centre via 101.
Detective Sergeant Rob Gravelle said: “We are urging residents throughout Dyfed Powys to stay alert to cold callers.
“The majority of these scams work to deceive people into allowing remote access to their computer or giving personal details over the phone or online.
“Allowing anyone access to your computer puts you at risk of data loss or losing access to your computer or files.
“With traditional cold callers at people’s properties, we’ve always advised ‘if in doubt, keep them out’ and exactly the same principle applies here.”
The DCCU is a specialist team at Dyfed Powys Police brought together to reduce cyber and cyber-enabled crime.
It is a busy unit consisting of specialist detectives, high tech forensic investigators, analysts and researchers.
They investigate all manner of digital and cyber-crime ranging from online fraud to child sexual exploitation.
For further advice and information please visit Get Safe Online www.getsafeonline.org.
To report online scams call 101 or report online at www.dyfed-powys.police.uk.
Or report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk.
