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*Latest Scams *
 Check the Action Fraud
tweets for the latest scams.
Debt Clearance Scam
Email and SMS text messages are circulating offering to
write-off debt or obtain accident compensation. Usually, these
are designed to harvest security and personal information such as bank
details for use in fraud and ID theft, or to get people to part with
money upfront. The golden rule is never to respond to
such unsolicited messages. Modern email client programs can be
set to identify and delete scam mails or add-ons and apps can do the
same job so you need never get bothered in the first place. And
debt clearance is not usually as straightforward as these messages
suggest, always contact reputable organisations with such problems.
Other Recent Scams and Frauds...
Scam? - Or Hoax?
As a follow-on to the 'scam or spam?' below, recently a
number of supposed 'scams' have been notified locally.
Unfortunately several have been circulated by professional bodies who
should know better, and as a result these have subsequently been
published without question (but in good faith) by several other local
NHW websites! A quick Google search will usually identify what is
a hoax; some other trusted resources are given in 'scam or spam?'
below. The two recent hoaxes involved were the 'card through door
from PDS requesting to phone and being billed £315', and 'unrequested
cash-back at supermarket not given but billed on till receipt'.
Both are hoaxes as the original scams were nailed some time ago.
As with anything of this nature, always verify it yourself and don't be
tempted to pass it on, most are no more than chain mail designed to
spread necessary fear and worry.
Scam or Spam?
Once again reports have been received of phone scams
where scammers are claiming to represent well-known companies
requesting due money. These reports often turn out to be 'spam'
emails doing the rounds again, long after the original scam being
highlighted was put to bed. Best advice is NOT to pass these
emails on, despite them urging you to, and do your own validation with
the help of Google
to separate the 'spam' from 'scam'. Good starting points are: Snopes, Hoax-Slayer and
Safefromscams.
Ticketing Website Scam
Recently highlighted is the curse of fake websites selling tickets for
music and sports events. They often guarantee tickets for popular
concerts, even when sold out or tickets have yet to go on sale.
The fake website can look very convincing and have a name not too
dissimilar form a genuine one. However, tickets never arrive and
there's no response to emails or phone calls. Similar scams
operate on eBay and social networking sites. See Consumer
Direct for more, and here's a BBC report on scammers
using consumer laws for a new variant of this scam. Be ticket
safe, see: Safeconcerts.
What can you
do if you're a scam or fraud victim?
The UK authorities often say they can do nothing about scams that
originate abroad as it's 'beyond UK jurisdiction'. While this is
quite true, in fact there are actions that can be taken by victims, eg.
in a phone or email scam where the scammer has requested payment by
credit/debit card and/or claim to be a well known company.
Card payments are often processed by a merchant services payment
company, usually via a fraudster's PayPal or Western Union account. If a victim notifies
the payment processing company of a suspected fraudulent transaction,
this results in the (suspected) fraudster's account being promptly
suspended while they investigate, as they're keen to protect their
brand and customers. Where scammers pose as legitimate companies
(overseas ones included), reporting this to the (real) company
concerned will cause them to investigate and take every action in their
power to stop the fraud. After all, they also wish protect their
brand and integrity. Use Google to search for a legitimate company's
consumer fraud department.
If you suspect you've been a fraud or scam victim you should always
report it to Action Fraud.
'Urgent Help' Money Transfer Scam
Victims are contacted, usually by email (after hacking a victim's email
contacts) claiming to be a relative or business colleague stranded
abroad requiring urgent help. Funds are requested urgently via
money transfer agents such as MoneyGram or Western Union. Do
not respond or give bank details or personal information, instead
forward any such email to the relevant authorities. See the PC security page for protecting your email
from being compromised.
Deceased relative scam
Scammers contact victims informing them that someone of their surname
has died, leaving an inheritance due to them. They then ask for
your bank details, promising to transfer the money into your
account. Of course it never arrives, instead victims' accounts
are emptied.
Credit Card Fraud
Britians who used their Visa or Mastercard in Spain in 2009 at
retailers, restaurants and hotels are likely to have become victims of
a credit card scam. The scammers are believed to have hacked into
a Spanish card payment processing company and stolen card details, then
used them for online purchases. Other European countries are also
affected, if this may affect you check your statements for suspicious
transactions. MasterCard has taken steps to protect account
information and the bank trade body, UK Payments,
is investigating how many British customers are involved.
Yellow Pages Invoice Scam
Professional bodies are being targeted by scammers posing as directory
publisher Yell. They attempt to entice customers by sending bogus
emails with lookalike Yellow Pages branding containing a bogus advert
order form or invoice. Returning the form results in payment
demands and sometimes threatening phone calls. The scam is run by
overseas scammers and people should be alert to any German or Dutch
connections. If you're targeted, ignore order forms, don't pay
any invoices and advise Trading Standards.
Another Phone Scam
A phone call arrives from someone claiming to be from BT informing them
their account is in arrears. An immediate payment is requested
or the line will be disconnected, which he offers to demonstrate by
inviting the victim to hang up and try calling someone. The
scammer then simply puts his phone on 'mute' as the victim tries this,
not realising they're still connected to the scammer. He then
calls again and requests bank card details to make the payment.
This one's just another take on goading people to hand over their bank
details to a stranger – never do this!
Debt Scammers
People owing money on credit cards and to banks are being targeted by
scammers who claim to be able to clear debts in return for a fee,
sometimes up to £200. A 'guaranteed unsecured loan' is offered
but not forthcoming and victims are led to believe the fee is
non-refundable. In fact a company has a legal obligation to
refund this bar a small handling fee and if they don't can be can be
taken to court for recovery, however the process is complicated.
Another take on the scam involves an offer to sell the
debt to a claims management company; this incurs a hefty fee but still
leaves the victim with the debt liability, negative credit scoring and
the attentions from debt collection agencies. People with debt
problems during the credit crunch are advised to contact the Citizens
Advice Bureau.
Reclaiming unfair bank charges scam
A increase has been seen in 'companies' cold calling people offering to
assist them claim back excessive unauthorized overdraft charges.
Often they refer to the last six years and offer up to 10% interest on
the money. They attempt to gain the confidence of their target by
quoting the phone no. (yes, the one they've just rung!) and address -
then attempt to gain bank details or supply a costly information
pack. Never give your bank details to people who call you
unexpectedly and always call your bank with the number on their
documents rather than one you may be given. In fact, the
reclaiming of any unfair bank charges is free and information is freely
available from many legitimate websites, eg: Money Saving Expert.
Sinister new twist to prize draw scams
A network of elderly prize draw fraud victims has been uncovered, some
of whom were 'groomed' by scammers into unknowingly acting as money
mules to launder other victims' money.
The sophisticated scam involved being rung by the
fraudsters and informed they had won a prize draw of up to £500,000 and
told fees were required to release winnings. To do so they were
told to send cheques for thousands of pounds to UK 'agents' who turned
out to be other scam victims who banked the cheques and innocently
transferred the money to the scammer overseas. Victims were
encouraged to borrow large sums after their life savings had been
depleted, some losing upwards of £50,000. The scam appeared more
legitimate as victims were less suspicious by sending/receiving money
to/from UK addresses.
A genuine prize draw, sweepstake or lottery would never
ask you to pay any fee to release winnings.
Boiler Room fraud
This one is now back on top of the list as the scammers appear to have
ramped it up during the current financial turmoil.
Boiler room fraud is the high pressure telephone sales
of worthless or fake shares and has increased at an alarming
rate. Victims, usually middle aged and with money to invest
include not just the gullible or novices, but experienced investors too.
Boiler room fraudsters are often based in Spain,
Switzerland or the US, but may use UK addresses, agents and bank
accounts to appear legitimate. They make their money by
cold-calling UK investors and selling them shares which, if they exist,
often carry very high risk and are often worth a lot less than you
pay. The sales staff are very persuasive and persistent, never
taking 'no' for an answer and phone their victims every day until they
finally make a sale. Once you've parted with your money you'll
either receive worthless share certificates or hear no more.
In most cases it is illegal to attempt to sell shares in
this way, so don't be taken in by the caller's smooth manner, technical
jargon or special offers, just hang up. All companies selling
financial services in the UK have to be registered with the FSA, asking
the scammers for their FSA registration number will usually cause them
to hang up. More information on the Stock
Watchers website. If you've been a victim you should report
the matter to the FSA.
Clothing Collection Charity Scam
There are many organisations currently operating in the UK who claim to
be charities or imply they're doing charitable work. In fact,
they're just money-making exercises who only benefit themselves.
These organisations claim to be helping families in Eastern Europe,
Third World countries or the unemployed, but there's little evidence to
back this up. Many of these companies are currently being
investigated by the Office
of Fair Trading.
A community website have started an
e-petition on the No.10 Downing Street site to stop companies
implying that they are doing charitable work when they are not.
Call Consumer
Direct on 08454 04 05 06 to report suspicious collections. If
you have an appeal leaflet you don't recognise you can check whether
it's legitimate on the Charity Commission website or calling 0845 300
0218.
Compensation scam
Householders were taken aback when a visitor arrived claiming to have
had her little finger bitten by their dog as she posted a leaflet
through the door. With threats of legal action and fear that
their beloved dog might be destroyed, the householder made an
appointment to hand over £500 in compensation. Police became
involved and the transaction did not take place. Beware of such
scams!
Bogus debt collection scam
A threatening letter arrives from a company called
'Astradelph International Debt Collection' based in the Czech Republic
which tells the recipient that they owe money, usually between £250 and
£650, and that if the money is not paid legal action will be
taken. At the bottom of the letter are premium rate telephone
numbers - which connect to an answering machine playing a dialling
tone, tricking the caller into thinking they haven't yet been
connected. The letter also gives account details so that payments
can be made directly to the scammers. This scam is intended to
obtain large amounts of money from people ringing the premium lines or
sending money to the account.
Premium rate phone scam
Here's another 09 premium rate scam. Householders
are given a number to call, beginning 09, with reference to parcel
delivery. The number is at premium rate and could incur high
charges.
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Cash machine security fraud
The pictures below show an ATM before and after a
portable card reader has been fitted by fraudsters to clone card
details:
Do not use a machine with this in place! Report it
to the bank or police straight away. Further details on ATM scams.
Fake order & credit card debit
An email arrives advising that a transfer or debit has been taken from
your account for GBP xxx.xx for the purchase of goods you know nothing
about. Another variation is advising you your mobile phone bill
is available to view online and that an amount will be collected.
Both are a variation on the now common phishing scam that entices you
to visit a fake website and enter your bank account details.
Telephone credit card scam
Your credit card company Fraud Department rings up saying that they're
calling to verify an unusual purchase pattern asking if you made a
purchase for a named item for £xxx.xx. When you say no, they tell
you they will be issuing a credit to your account, but need you to
confirm the 3 digit security number on the back of your card.
Now this should ring alarm bells as your credit card
company will already know your card details and will never ask for them
on the phone. If you give the fraudsters the number you'll find
your account debited for the quoted amount shortly afterwards!
Get rich property schemes
A number of seminars currently in operation offer the chance to learn
"how to become a property millionaire". Typically, investors
attend a free presentation and are told they can learn how to deal in
property starting with little or no capital.
Those who sign up typically pay thousands of pounds for
the course. Schemes vary, but may involve the opportunity to buy
blocks of properties as buy-to-let investments, or buying development
properties at a discount, which have yet to be built. The
companies may also offer no deposit finance deals to get the investor
started. While a few people may have made a million, the vast
majority are losing thousands of pounds.
Another variation is the buy-to-let property scheme,
where companies offer to source, renovate and manage properties,
claiming healthy returns will be made from rental income. In
reality, the properties are often derelict and worth a fraction of the
money paid for them, and the promised tenants are non-existent.
Few investors see the returns they are led to expect.
Spanish traffic fines
A letter supposedly from the Spanish police arrives asking for Euro's
to settle your traffic violation incurred while on holiday - even if
you've not been to Spain or not driven there! Ignore.
Spanish Identity Theft scam
A letter from Spain advises the recipient that they
have won Euro's and goes on to ask for personal, passport and banking
details. Anyone receiving this letter should destroy it, this is
an identify theft scam intended to gather the recipient's personal
information in order to steal their identity. Unfortunately a
number of people have been taken in and responded with their personal
details.
There are many variants on this, often sent as emails
and saying you have won a large sum of money or prize (for no outlay!)
but your details are required to process your winnings. All are
designed to steal your identity. See our crime advice page for details of
actions to take to minimise identity theft.
Dating SMS text message
A text message arrives advising that someone you know is trying to
contact you by a dating service and to ring a given number to find out
who it is. The number has to be called from a landline and incurs
cost of £1.50 per minute and can involve a lengthy call. It's a
scam purely intended to encourage the recipient to call the number the
scammers have set-up, for which they receive a high percentage of the
call costs. And there is no date either!
If you receive any text encouraging you to ring
a number, treat with the up most caution. Advise younger and more
vulnerable members likewise.
£50 per minute premium rate call charges
There have been recent well intended reports of some
phone scams running up bills at the rate of £50 per minute. Be
assured that the highest premium rate that can be charged by any phone
company is a maximum of £1.50 per minute.
Dial-up Internet scam
This scam installs a new dialler on your computer's Dial Up
Networking. The new dialler connects to a premium rate number and
can run up bills at the rate of £1.50 per minute for the length of time
you're online. Never download any software you're not
sure of, even if it appears to come from your service provider.
Always check the number your computer is set to dial whenever you
connect, make a note of the correct number for reference. With
most people now using broadband, remove your redundant dialler(s)
completely. See our PC security
page.
Job offers
These take the form of an email with a
too-good-to-be-true offer of high salary/low hours/part-time
work. The text is easy to spot as it's written in poor
English. The scam is intended to gain your bank account details,
supposedly so you can be paid. Instead, the details are used to
access the money in your account. See example email below:
Our company
"Zhong Altern International" is located in South Korea (motherland for
such brands as Samsung, Daewoo and others). Our company profile is law
and economical services for Korean citizens wishing to operate at
foreign markets. We help with financial and personal representation of
our customers in 48 different countries, including USA, Australia,
countries of European Union and UK.
For now we have a demand in increasing the number of our part time
employees in United Kingdom. According to this we are ready to offer
you the part-time job in our company with the salaries starting from
GBP 200 to GBP 700 weekly for 1-2 hours of employment time daily (5
working days a week).
The title for the position is "Junior financial representative".
Main tasks are:
- Receiving some calls on behalf of our customers.
- Receiving some business correspondence on behalf of our customers
- Receiving some business transactions on behalf of our customers
.and some others.
This tasks won't take more than 2 hours of your time daily and the
starting salary would be GBP 300/week, which would be increased
depending of your enthusiasm.
Now of course you wouldn't fall for this would you, but
some people have!
High pressure telemarketing investment
You receive a phone call with an offer of a 'never to be repeated', or
'only a few left' or 'today only' investment, but they won't give
details of their firm or the investment. They say you've been
specially selected, but you're one of many they're trying to get to
commit without giving you time to check or seek professional
advice. Never make an instant decision to such a call and
hang up.
Transfer of funds from overseas
This one offers online customers payment for the receipt of and
transfer of funds overseas. Funds used in this type of incident
are usually the proceeds of fraud and if you participate in such a
scheme you will become involved in a police investigation!
You've won a prize scam
An email, SMS text or recorded phone message informs you that you've
won a large prize and instructs you to ring a number to claim it.
This results in a call to a premium rate number to listen to a lengthy
recorded message costing £1.50 per minute of which the scammers rake
off a large percentage. Of course there's no prize anyway!
Latest: European scammers behind this one have
now been brought to justice. USA ones informing of a free luxury
holiday are still continuing...
A variant of this scam is a single ring to your phone
which shows up as a missed call, you then ring back to see who called
only to listen to a lengthy message at premium rates!
Data Protection registration
An official looking letter arrives at your business advising that you
need to be registered under the Data Protection Act and that you're not
on their database. They then offer to register you for a larger
than needed fee. Contact the Information Commissioner if you need to register
for Data Protection purposes.
Phoney bank email fraud
This one is so common now that most people with an email address have
seen it many times over!
The so called phishing email purports to come from your bank and asks
for your PIN and/or password details. All the major banks have
been targets. The email often has poor spelling and grammar so
should be easy to spot. Remember that your bank will never
ask for these details in this way! Do not reply or
follow any links in the email as they take you to an authentic looking
website which encourages you to fill in your details - straight into
the hands of the fraudsters! With this information they can then
access your bank account. If you receive such an email delete it
off your computer (shift-delete key combo).
A sample scam email is shown below:
Dear Valued
Customer,
- Our new security system will help you to avoid frequently fraud
transactions and to keep your investments in safety.
- Due to technical update we recommend you to reactivate your account.
Click on the link below to login and begin using your updated Abbey
account.
To log into your account, please visit the online banking
http://xxxxx.com
If you have questions about your online statement, please send us a
Bank Mail or call us at 1-800-xxx-xxxx
We appreciate your business. It's truly our pleasure to serve you.
Abbey Customer Care
This email is for notification only. To contact us, please log into
your account and send a Bank Mail.
(included link/phone no. removed)
(Barclays is misspelt Barcalys in the Barclays version)
See Bank Safe Online for the latest
banking online scams.
Further to the recent 'phishing' incidents (email
scams) Microsoft have now released a security patch for Internet
Explorer versions 5.01, 5.50 and 6. You can download the security
patch from Microsoft's website. There are other, more
modern and secure browsers available, see our PC security page.
Domain Names
Fraudsters are targeting UK businesses suggesting Domain Name
pre-registration or advising that their domain is due for
renewal. Always register or renew via your existing
provider, never as a result of a cold call.
Nigerian funds scam
An email is being circulated that asks for your help in the transfer
of a very large sum of money into the UK. It paints a sad story
of a country in turmoil and promises a high percentage of the money for
your trouble. It asks for an initial payment of several thousand
pounds from you which seems small change in comparison to the
amount you're promised. Needless to say, that's the last you'll
see of your money if you respond!
Microsoft security scam
Another scam are emails purporting to come from Microsoft supposedly
carrying the latest security fixes - ask yourself why would Microsoft
email you out of billions of users? All this 'fix' does is load
a virus on your PC and sends itself on to everyone in your address book!
Page last updated August
2011
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