Farmers warned to watch out for fraudsters trying to swindle Basic Payment
With the Basic Payment Scheme due to be paid in early December, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) is warning farmers to beware of fraudsters.
The warning follows an alert issued by Gwent Police.
This December, Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales is expecting an influx of calls and emails to the farming community, attempting to trick them out of their money.
With information about the payments, including the recipients’ names and the amount paid available online, criminals can target farmers directly and make their approach more convincing.
FUW Gwent chief executive Glyn Davies said: “Following similar annual patterns when farmers receive their funding from the Basic Payment Scheme, the police anticipate they will be targeted by the same attempts to fraudulently part with their cash.
Criminals have been known to pose as banks, as well as authorities such as the police, to attempt to extort money through illegitimate means.
"They will either contact the victims via telephone, email or in person and request that money be moved to ‘safer’ locations, due to bogus security issues.
“They will create a sense of urgency and may even know minor details about the victims to convince them they are genuine."
The union is urging farmers and landowners to take the following measures to ensure they do not fall victim to these types of scams this coming winter:
If you or anyone know is affected by fraud and cybercrime, contact Action Fraud to report the matter as soon as possible on: 0300-123-2040
