UKASH Voucher Scam Warning

Fraudsters are cold-calling people across the country and falsely offering refunds for bank charges and mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) on previous loans. People, particularly the elderly, are being targeted and asked to purchase Ukash vouchers.

Ukash is a legitimate scheme which allows people to use cash to pay online by exchanging notes and coins for a voucher. Ukash vouchers are simply cash vouchers and if you give the code to anyone it will allow them to cash the voucher in or spend it from anywhere in the world. No part of the 19-digit voucher code should ever be given to anyone over the phone.

The vouchers can be safe if used as intended but if you step outside the guidelines of use, you are likely to get caught out. No legitimate organisation will ask you to pay a fee to receive money.

An elderly lady from Codsall recently made Ukash payments of £5,000 to release bank charges she was told she was entitled to, but never received.

For more details about safe use of Ukash visit www.ukash.com

People who suspect fraud should contact Staffordshire Police on 101.