Zutphen shopkeepers targeted by scammers impersonating municipal employees
Shopkeepers in Zutphen are being warned about fraudulent calls from individuals posing as municipal employees. These scammers attempt to extract sensitive information or payments. Stay alert and verify callers to protect your business and data.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Zutphen, Gelderland |
| Target Group | Shopkeepers |
| Scam Type | Fake calls impersonating municipal employees |
| Red Flags | Requests for passwords, payment details, or immediate commitments |
| Official Contact | Municipality’s general number: 140575 |
| Reporting | Suspicious calls should be reported to the municipality |
The Zutphen municipality is responsible for local governance, including business support and fraud prevention. It issues warnings and guidelines to protect citizens and entrepreneurs from scams, ensuring trust in municipal communications.
Read the full translated article below
Warning to shopkeepers: fake calls purporting to be from Zutphen municipality
In recent days, several shopkeepers have been contacted by phone by individuals posing as employees of the Zutphen municipality. These calls did not originate from the Zutphen municipality.
How to recognise a genuine municipal employee
When the municipality calls you:
- The employee always states their name and the department they work for.
- You can always ask for callback information (direct number or via the municipality’s general number 140575).
- Municipal employees will never ask for:
- confidential data such as passwords,
- payment details,
- immediate commitments or payments.
- You may always indicate that you first want to verify the call. In that case, call the municipality’s official number back and ask for the relevant employee.
What should you do if you are unsure?
- Write down the caller’s phone number.
- Ask additional questions, such as: “Why are you calling?” or “Can you send this by email via an official municipal address?”
- Hang up if you feel uncomfortable or if someone asks for unusual information.
- Report suspicious calls to the municipality. This way, we can warn other entrepreneurs.
Stay alert
If you are unsure or have questions, please contact us via the municipality’s official phone number 140575.