Police advise caution over 'phishing' phone calls

The police have warned the public to be cautious after receiving reports of a spate of scam telephone calls.

In a statement issued this afternoon, the police's communications office said that a number of people have been receiving calls attempting to trick them into surrendering personal and bank details, a process dubbed "phishing."

The callers are reported to claim that a number of unauthorised banking transactions had been made from abroad on the person's accounts. The victim is then asked to confirm their personal and bank details.

The police warn that the calls, which are being received on both mobile and fixed lines, are entirely ficticious and intended only to steal the individual's personal details. Although the calls appear to be placed from local numbers, they are actually made from abroad, in jurisdictions in which it is “very difficult to trace who is behind the calls.”

“The Police would like to make it clear that no bank or other financial institution is going to request personal details over the telephone and therefore the public should never give out these details.”

The public is encouraged to exercise caution and contact their banks if in doubt.