Can you recognise fraud?

Examples of common fraud and what to look out for

• Purchase scams

  Is this person trustworthy?

  Fraudsters are targeting online marketplaces, such as Facebook marketplace, by placing adverts for items that aren’t real. You should never pay by bank transfer before checking the goods are genuine. 

  If you're asked to make a payment upfront or have been coerced into making a payment outside your usual payment channel, this is likely to be a scam.

  Also be wary of newly established businesses with a lack of online presence. 

• Investments scams

  Does this investment offer returns that are too good to be true?

  Stop! It’s likely to be a scam. It is unusual for genuine investment opportunities to be on social media. If you think you have found an opportunity or have been approached with one, this may be a scam. Go online and search the FCA register and follow any advice given before proceeding.

  Cryptocurrency – The introduction of cryptocurrencies has given fraudsters the opportunity for further scams.

  These fraudsters tend to advertise on social media, the firms operating the scams are usually based outside the UK but will claim to have a UK presence, often, but not always, a prestigious City of London address. 

• Impersonation scams

  Scammers call, text or send emails and claim to be from an organisation you trust, such as your bank, solicitors or HMRC, to get you to provide them with your personal and financial details.

  Check the email address or sender's contact details – scammers will often make small changes so they appear legitimate. If you're, unsure contact the organisation on a number you trust, whether that is from their website, a business card or previous correspondence. 

  The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have issued a warning about scams related to cost of living assistance following reports of scam phone calls, emails and text messages.   

  Look out for email impersonation where the fraudster sets up an email account that looks like a business email account. For example rn.smith@leekbs.co.uk vs m.smith@leekbs.co.uk using the r and n to look like an m.

• Romance scams

  This is when imposters enter into an online relationship with their victim before requesting money, often using an emotional, manipulative story.

• Courier scams and safe account fraud

  Courier scams are a type of fraud where a scammer pretends to be from a legitimate organisation, such as a bank, the police, or a utility provider, to trick a victim into giving them money or personal information. The scammer may then arrange for a courier to pick up the victim's cash, documents, or other valuables.

  Safe account scams are very similar to the courier scam, in that you’ll usually be contacted by someone saying they are from your bank/building society or the police. They’ll tell you your account has been compromised and ask you to transfer your money to a “safe account” that has been set up on your behalf. This account will belong to a fraudster and they will disappear without a trace once the money has been transferred.

• Suspicious emails

  Fraudsters send out emails designed to steal your details. They look like they came from a genuine company, such as your bank or building society, HMRC or a service such as Amazon, TV Licencing or PayPal. These emails are often unexpected and encourage you to enter or update your personal or security information so it can be accessed fraudulently. There is often a time limit and they give you a link to click.

  Never click a link you were not expecting or from unrecognised sources. It is better to go directly to the company's website and log in there, or give them a call on a trusted number.