Johnnie Johnson Housing Trust has issued a scam call warning to residents as figures on phone, email and impersonation scams are revealed.

Through the first half of 2021, impersonation scams more than doubled to 33,115 cases as criminals stole £129.4m through fraudulent calls, texts and emails.

As a not-for-profit housing association, which houses residents across the North West, North East, Yorkshire, and Derbyshire, Johnnie Johnson Housing recognises that many of its elder residents (aged 65+) may be more at risk in the winter months. Kate McArdell-Broome, head of Customer Operations at Johnnie Johnson Housing, said: “Our customer services team are always happy to help customers, and aware of the difficulties they may experience this winter. Our residents are at the heart for everything we do, and as we support a wide range of customers over the age of 65; should anyone have concerns please contact the Hub on 0345 305 5335.”

A staggering 92% of people admit to saying ‘yes’ to requests for personal or financial information because they don’t want to appear rude according to the recent Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign.

Working with leading specialist provider of customer-led, flexible safety services firm Astraline, Johnnie Johnson Housing provides independent living residents with a direct line to customer support, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, whether that support is because of a fall, they become unwell, or they need urgent assistance.

Telecare from Astraline provides a key service for residents, who don’t need to feel alone or isolated to handling any situation, with regular check in calls to customers providing a friend point of contact for conversation and a wellbeing check-up.

With scam calling on the rise, especially in the winter months, when older and more vulnerable people are at home for more hours in the day, Johnnie Johnson Housing has circulated some key signs to look out for to its residents in partnership with Age UK Cheshire East.

Sally Wilson, from the Age UK Cheshire East Scams Awareness Project, commented: “Anyone can fall for a scam. Criminals use sophisticated methods, including those below, to pretend to be someone we know and trust. It’s important we stay alert. If someone contacts you out of the blue, be cautious. Don’t be afraid to say “No” and contact the company they say they’re from on an independent number.”

Signs to look out for:

– Scammers may make their number look like the genuine company’s number

– They impersonate your bank, the police, or a genuine company

– They tell you to act immediately to safeguard your money/details

– They pretend to know information about you, then ask further details

– Give you a number to call to verify their identity

– Impersonate a relative or friend

How to avoid:

– Avoid sharing personal or banking information

– Say no thank you and hang up

– Call 159 – a new service to be connected to your bank to see if call is genuine

– Contact genuine company to see if they have been trying to reach you

– Contact relatives and friends on number/email you have for them

– Avoid clicking links in text messages or emails

– Hover on email address to see if email address is from genuine company

– Check your bank account immediately to look for any issues

If you believe you may have been a victim of an impersonation scam, contact Action Fraud on 0300 1232 040 and contact your bank immediately. Find out more at www.actionfraud.police.uk