Last updated at 16:57, Wednesday, 31 October 2012

SCAMMERS have been trying to con people by promising they will receive a faster response from the ambulance service in Millom, in return for cash.

Police warned people to ignore the phone con artists, who have made cold calls in the Millom area.

Staff at the North West Ambulance Service station in the town reported the calls to their section manager after the scammers rang the mother of one of the local paramedics.

The caller said if people paid them £299 they would be given the direct phone number of Millom Ambulance Station that they would be able to ring to receive a quicker response in the event of an emergency.

Police said when the mother of the paramedic told the caller she was related to a worker at the station they refused to give any more information.

Both NWAS and the police said people should report any calls they received.

A spokeswoman for Cumbria police said: “These people are preying on those who live in rural areas and who may be duped into thinking that the emergency services would take longer to reach them.

“The most recent incident has taken place in Millom, but there may be other people in other areas across Cumbria.

“Never provide your bank details to anyone who cold calls you, you cannot verify who the person is on the end of the phone and if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.”

NWAS head of service Peter Mulcahy said: “The only number anyone should ring if they require an emergency ambulance is 999 – and this is free to everyone.’’

More information and advice about fraud and how to defend against it can be found at http://www.cumbria.police.uk/advice-and-information/security.

To report an incident you can contact http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or telephone 0300 123 2040.

First published at 16:08, Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk