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04/04/2013
NI Firms Warned Over Phone Fraud
Businesses in Northern Ireland are being warned to be vigilant against phone scammers, who are hacking into telephone lines and using them to make thousands of pounds of international calls.
The scammers can hack into the phone lines from a remote location, gain illegal access to a switchboard or take out a phone service in a fake name and leave a debt behind.
Rainbow Communications says the problem is a genuine concern for NI businesses.
"One Belfast firm lost £10,000 in just one weekend while one in North Down was scammed to the tune of £3,000," warned David Beatty from Rainbow Communications.
"It is the business that is solely responsible for the fraudulent call charges so it really can have a detrimental effect on any firm in Northern Ireland."
Globally, losses caused by phone fraud are estimated to total about £10bn per annum.
"This type of phone hacking is a real and serious concern for businesses in Northern Ireland," Mr Beatty added.
"Fraudsters are making thousands of international or premium rate calls resulting in substantial costs at the expense of the unsuspecting company."
Businesses are advised to take steps to avoid scams, such as barring unnecessary international or premium rate numbers and restricting after-hours calling.
(IT/CD)
The scammers can hack into the phone lines from a remote location, gain illegal access to a switchboard or take out a phone service in a fake name and leave a debt behind.
Rainbow Communications says the problem is a genuine concern for NI businesses.
"One Belfast firm lost £10,000 in just one weekend while one in North Down was scammed to the tune of £3,000," warned David Beatty from Rainbow Communications.
"It is the business that is solely responsible for the fraudulent call charges so it really can have a detrimental effect on any firm in Northern Ireland."
Globally, losses caused by phone fraud are estimated to total about £10bn per annum.
"This type of phone hacking is a real and serious concern for businesses in Northern Ireland," Mr Beatty added.
"Fraudsters are making thousands of international or premium rate calls resulting in substantial costs at the expense of the unsuspecting company."
Businesses are advised to take steps to avoid scams, such as barring unnecessary international or premium rate numbers and restricting after-hours calling.
(IT/CD)
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