Warning over fake social media account

Metrolink

A warning has been issued about fake social media accounts purporting to be offering refunds following recent disruption on the Metrolink network.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has been made aware that a customer was contacted by an unofficial Metrolink Facebook account.

The message requested the person’s address and asked when they’d be home, so that vouchers could be delivered. The matter has also been reported to Greater Manchester Police and Facebook.

The unsolicited request came after TfGM and KeolisAmey Metrolink told customers wanting compensation following last Monday’s disruption on the network how to process their claim.

There is no official Metrolink Facebook page; the only official page is Transport for Greater Manchester and this page does not contact Metrolink customers.

On Twitter, the official Metrolink account is @MCRMetrolink and this provides service updates direct from the control room.

TfGM Head of Metrolink, Danny Vaughan, said: “I’m concerned that someone might be looking to exploit our customers.

“I want to be clear that we will not contact you via social media to ask for personal details or information about when you might be home.

“The last thing we want is for anyone to make themselves vulnerable to crimes such as fraud or theft.

“We will continue to work with the social media networks, the network operator KeolisAmey and with Greater Manchester Police to investigate any unsolicited approaches to customers.

“If anyone wants to make a claim for compensation following last week’s disruption I would encourage them to do so through the processes that we’ve set up.”