A Warning for Farmers Receiving the Basic Payment Scheme

Dyfed-Powys Police are advising those in the farming community to be extra vigilant of any suspicious calls, texts or emails as they’ve been made aware of a scam targeting individuals in the agricultural sector specifically.

For farmers, December is a key month as they begin to receive their Basic Payment Scheme. Scammers have taken advantage of the fact that information about these payments are publicly available, leading to them directly targeting farmers with little suspicion.

It has come to the attention of Dyfed-Powys Police that the scammers typically claim that there has been a fraud on the farmer’s bank account and that urgent action needs to be taken to protect the funds. The farmer then panics and hands over personal or financial information, or sometimes even transfers some or all the money into a ‘safe account’.

Paul Callard, from Dyfed-Powys Police’s Financial Crime Team advised:

“If you receive such a call or message, hang up the phone and do not reply directly. Instead, wait five minutes and ring your bank to alert them to the scam, using a phone number that you trust – such as the one from the official website.” 

An Action Fraud spokesperson has also advised that “you will never be asked by the Rural Payments Wales or a government or bank official, to reveal your bank account details or make a payment over the phone. If you think you’ve been the victim of a fraud, report it to Action Fraud immediately by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.”

Dyfed-Powys Police have provided the following guidance following the rise in this type of scam:

Be wary of: 

• Any calls, texts or emails purporting to be from your bank, the police, a Government body or other organisation asking for personal or financial details, or for you to transfer money.
• Cold callers who suggest you to hang up the phone and call them back. Fraudsters can keep your phone line open by not putting down the receiver at their end.
• Any request to check that the number showing on your telephone display matches an organisation’s registered telephone number. The display cannot be trusted, as the number showing can be altered by the caller.

Remember: 

• You will never be asked for your 4 digit PIN or your online banking password, or for you to transfer money to a new account for “fraud reasons”.
• If you receive a suspicious call, hang up, wait five minutes to clear the line, or where possible use a different phone line, then call your bank or card issuer on their advertised number to report the fraud.

Never disclose your: 

• Four digit card PIN to anyone, including the bank or police.
• Your password or online banking codes.
• Personal details unless you are certain you know who you are talking to. People are not always who they say they are.

If you think that you may have been scammed, or should you require any further information in relation to the above warning, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch on 01558 650 381.