Martin Lewis Urges Vigilance Against Fraudulent Cold Calls
Martin Lewis, the renowned founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, has taken to social media to issue a critical warning to UK households, advising them to "not trust" certain unsolicited callers. He specifically targeted calls that falsely claim he is encouraging engagement with companies offering grants for renewable energy, bluntly stating these communications are "utter b******s!" and completely untrue.
Details of the Scam and Lewis's Response
In a post on X, Lewis revealed he has received reports of a firm cold-calling individuals, offering grants for renewables and misleadingly quoting his name to lend credibility. He emphasized that this is a scam and urged people to politely disengage and avoid speaking to these callers. This alert is part of his ongoing campaign against scam calls, which he has been waging for years to educate Brits on the risks associated with spam phone calls.
The Dangers of Answering Unknown Calls
Lewis has previously explained that merely answering a call from an unrecognized number can signal to scammers that the number is active and real, potentially leading to a surge in spam messages and calls. He shared a personal anecdote from last year, where answering such a call resulted in an automated message, prompting him to warn others to remain vigilant.
Practical Steps to Combat Scam Calls
If individuals accidentally answer these fraudulent calls, there are measures to mitigate the impact. One recommended action is to call 159 immediately after hanging up. This free service is organized and funded by Stop Scams UK, an industry-led collaboration involving businesses from banking, telecoms, and technology sectors aimed at stopping scams at their source.
- Do not engage with unsolicited callers offering grants.
- Verify any claims independently before providing information.
- Use services like 159 to report suspected scams promptly.
Lewis's warning underscores the importance of skepticism and proactive steps to protect personal information from increasingly sophisticated scams.
