Posted: Fri 17th Nov 2023

Updated: Sat 18th Nov

Police economic crime unit exposes alarming pharmacy scam in Flintshire

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales
This article is old - Published: Friday, Nov 17th, 2023

North Wales Police’s Economic Crime Unit has issued a warning about a new type of fraud specifically targeting patients of pharmacies in the region.

This emerging trend has been reported locally, raising alarms about the increasing sophistication of scammers.

The fraud involves criminals impersonating local pharmacy or chemist staff.

They contact residents, claiming to need confirmation of a repeat prescription, a medication issue, or a delivery arrangement.

During the call, the victims are then asked to provide personal information, including sensitive banking details.

To date, the Economic Crime Unit has received multiple reports concerning pharmacies in both Flintshire and Gwynedd, indicating that the scam is not isolated but part of a wider fraudulent operation.

This development is particularly worrying as it exploits the trust residents have in their local healthcare providers.

North Wales Police have advised residents to exercise extreme caution.

They stress the importance of never giving out personal information without first confirming the identity of the caller.

A North Wales Police spokesperson said:

“Our Economic Crime Unit are warning about a new fraud trend emerging, where patients of North Wales pharmacies are being targeted.
“Scammers are targeting residents, purporting to be from their local pharmacy or chemist.
The criminals state that they are calling to confirm a repeat prescription / issue or delivery of medication.
“The victim is then asked to provide personal information including banking details.
“To date we are aware of reports concerning pharmacies in both Flintshire and Gwynedd.
“Never give out personal information without confirming the identity of the caller, and if in doubt, end the call and ring your pharmacy using a number you know and trust.

 

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