Trader Foils Thief

Quick thinking shopkeeper Richard Murphy foiled a conman who tried to trick him into revealing his bank details.

Mr Murphy, 68, who runs the Blackamoor convenience shop on Roman Road, said the 'well-spoken' conman called his shop, claiming to be from the electricity board.

But after he asked for bank details to settle a small bill Mr Murphy put the phone down on him and immediately reported the attempted fraud to Blackburn with Darwen Council's trading standards team.

"He sounded very plausible, said it was the electricity board calling and they were coming on Friday to fit a new meter," said Mr Murphy, who was given the excuse that the existing meter wasn't working properly.

But when the conman asked for his bank details to settle what was owing from the old meter, Mr Murphy told him "You must be bloody joking" and put the phone straight down.

Chris Allen, head of environmental health and trading standards at Blackburn with Darwen Council, praised Mr Murphy's actions.

"He did exactly the right thing in refusing to give out his bank details and reporting the matter so we can warn other people," said Mr Allen.

"We're getting more and more reports of attempted scams lately, perhaps because of the credit crunch. Never give your bank details to a cold caller, no matter who they claim to be."

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Trading Standards Service, 3-5 Salford, Blackburn, Lancashire BB1 6HG
Telephone: (Consumer Advice) 08454 040506  (Trader Advice) (01254) 222502    Fax: (01254) 698312
Internet World Wide Web http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/blackburnwithdarwen/
Electronic Mail: tradingstandards@blackburn.gov.uk

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