Hampshire Store Tricked By Fake Refund Scam
27 February 2019, 16:35 | Updated: 27 February 2019, 16:45
Basingstoke shops and businesses are being warned to be on the alert after a shop was scammed after receiving a call from a fake Head Office employee.
It happened on Monday, February 25 in Basingstoke Town Centre. An employee took a phone call from a woman saying she was from the company’s head office.
She claimed a customer had bought perfume from the outlet and it had caused an allergic reaction.
The caller told staff Head Office were authorising the refund and the customer would come in to the store collect it.
Shortly afterwards, a white female in her mid-30s with long dark hair in a ponytail and a lip piercing, arrived in the shop and was given cash without presenting any receipts or returning goods.
She also had a rash on her face that she claimed the perfume had caused.
It later transpired Head Office had no knowledge of this.
Hampshire Police said:
"If you receive any calls of this nature, please contact your head office before providing a refund and if a suspect turns up to your premises requesting a refund, call 999.
"If your company has been a victim of a fraud of this nature, please report the matter to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
"If you have captured CCTV of any suspects, contact 101."
