Warning about phone scam at Gold Coast

Southport Police are warning the public about a phone scam that has seen a woman lose $7,000 to a fraudulent scheme.

Police were alerted to the scam after several members of the public reported calls appearing to come from Southport Police Station seeking payment for fines over the phone.

One of these calls has resulted in a complaint to police after a woman received a phone call from a number with a caller identification of Southport Police Station on November 18.

The caller falsely claimed they were a police officer and the victim had a $7,000 fine outstanding that required immediate payment. The payment was processed before the victim realised it was a fraud.

The Queensland Police Service does not seek or receive payment over the telephone for fines or any other type of payments.

Should anyone receive a similar call they are advised to never provide their credit card details over the telephone and to report the matter to Policelink.

If you become a victim of this fraudulent activity immediately contact your bank or credit card provider to stop the payment.

Investigations are ongoing as to the source of these telephone calls.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day or call 1800 333 000.

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