HITACHI WARNING! Yet another finance scam?
It would seem the bounds that some evil people will go to is endless. Recently, a major scam surrounding Microsoft has seen growth again. That starts with an unsolicited phone call, questions about your date of birth and then a suggestion that the computer owner should check there computer by logging on to a web site. In reality the web site steals information from the computer connecting to the illegal, non-Microsoft, site.
Now it appears Hitachi Capital is the focus of the very same evil people.
An unsolicited call begins by asking for the students DATE OF BIRTH.
NEVER EVER GIVE OUT YOUR DATE OF BIRTH, IT IS THE OLDEST TRICK IN THE BOOK
The call continued asking “ how much of the course has been completed.... when will you complete the course and any comments about the course material”.
STOP HERE – this is exactly what a hacker does. They have asked you for your date of birth and followed that up by asking questions to gain your confidence. BE VERY VERY CAREFUL and I URGE YOU TO REPORT THIS TO YOUR TRAINING COMPANY or any company that has supplied you goods or services in conjunction with a Hitachi loan.
What happens next is ironically nothing, but there is something you can do to check.
I am sure we all know someone who has or has had a piece of Hitachi equipment. Due to the nature of that equipment we often buy that with some form of credit. Yes, you have it – how many times have you ever heard of Hitachi calling people to ask if the equipment purchased is OK and/or is it good value for money?
I have scoured the internet and can find NO CONFIRMATION that Hitachi are polling clients about loans. If they are please let me know. Therefore, may I remind all readers again; when receiving a call from a person claiming to be from a loan company such as Hitachi, NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR DATE OF BIRTH! When the caller tries to push you simply respond by telling the caller to contact you via your training provider or goods/service provider.
If the caller persists, ask for their name and a number to return the call. However, when you have those details please check with your provider. Calling hoax numbers is the last thing you should do.
Finally, should the caller persist advise them that you are about to end the call and your next call will be to the Police to report them. However, I would advise you report any suspect calls to Action Fraud, the service is run by the National Fraud Authority – the government agency that helps to co-ordinate the fight against fraud in the UK.
http://www.actionfraud.org.uk or 0300 123 2040
Fraudsters will use a household name, that’s how they win your confidence.
DON’T BECOME A STATISTIC of CRIME
Since generating this article I now understand the scam has been extended to include other finance houses including Barclays.