Councillor Warns Public of Scam Targeting Officials

A recent incident involving a local councillor has highlighted the ongoing threat posed by scammers, prompting a cautionary message to the public. Ozzy O’Shea, cabinet member for highways and transport at Leicestershire County Council, narrowly avoided falling victim to a sophisticated scam where fraudsters posed as representatives from his bank.

The former police officer and magistrate revealed that hackers gained unauthorized access to several of his online accounts in an attempt to change passwords. This prompted Mr. O’Shea to emphasize the importance of vigilance, stating he became alarmed upon receiving notifications regarding unauthorized access attempts to his Amazon, National Lottery, ISA, and bank accounts.

“I was very concerned because I hadn’t initiated any password changes and realized I had been hacked,” he remarked. “Immediately, I contacted my account providers and implemented two-step security on those accounts lacking it. Fortunately, my Amazon, ISA, and bank accounts already had this security measure in place, preventing the scammers from obtaining any sensitive information.”

Following these incidents, Mr. O’Shea received a phone call from an individual claiming to represent his bank, requesting confirmation of his address. This encounter prompted him to issue a stern warning to the public about the prevalence of such scams, urging caution when dealing with unsolicited callers and exercising discretion in sharing personal information online.

Deborah Taylor, the council’s lead member for regulatory services, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the commonality of such scams and advising against disclosing personal or financial details to unfamiliar callers.

“This type of scam can target anyone, regardless of their position,” Ms. Taylor cautioned. “It’s crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and ensure they do not inadvertently compromise their security.”

The council’s efforts to raise awareness about this issue come amidst a growing number of reported scam incidents across various sectors, highlighting the need for continued caution and proactive measures to safeguard against fraudulent activities.