1:00pm Monday 8th March 2010
By Liza-Jane Gillespie
A MOTHER-of-two from Thornbury is warning others to be on their guard after she almost fell victim to a phone scam.
Liz Wood has said she has received several telephone calls, at her Medway Court home, during the last month from a man claiming to be from Virgin Media.
The man told Mrs Wood that the company wanted to stop sending bills to customers and asked for her bank details.
Fortunately Mrs Wood, who is a fulltime carer for her son and daughter, who both suffer from debilitating illnesses, was quick to realise that she was being scammed.
Mrs Wood's son Christopher, 22, has Aspergers and her 20-year-old daughter Helen suffers from ME.
"The man said he was calling Virgin media and that the company wouldn't sending bills out anymore so they needed my bank details.
"I gave them my start date and end date but when they asked for the bank card number I challenged them because I knew it wasn't right and they put the phone down," she said.
Mrs Wood then contacted Virgin Media, who she is a customer of, and was told by the company that they never ask for bank details.
She said: "You hear about these things happening but it is such a worry that is has almost happened to me and I think people need to be aware how clever these people can be."
Trading Standards has warned people never to give out personal details.
A spokesman said: "Trading Standards advise you never to respond to an unsolicited telephone call or email asking for your bank account, passport or other details including family and personal information.
"If you’re unsure about any unsolicited call that you have received just say "no thank you" and hang up."
For further information about telephone or any other type of scam, call Consumer Direct for help and advice on 08454 04 05 06.
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