Warning of a likely increase in scam attempts
Financial Fraud Action UK has warned of a likely increase in scams attempts by phone, text and email.
Financial Fraud Action UK has warned the general public to be even more alert about dodgy phone calls, texts and emails from fraudsters claiming to be from their bank, the police, utility or telecoms companies.
It said that the recent spate of high-profile data breaches would likely spur further scam attempts. Fraudsters use these high-profile cases as opportunities to make attempts more credible, preying on their victims’ fears.
Communications often claim that there has been a fraud on the victim’s account, tricking people into giving away their details to safeguard funds. They may even convince victims to make an emergency cash transfer into a ‘safe’ account.
Remember that banks and the police won’t contact you asking for personal account details or to transfer your money into another account.
Katy Worobec, Director of Financial Fraud Action UK, said: “These scammers can appear extremely convincing, so it’s vital that everyone is alert. Remember a criminal may already have some information about you, so do not take that as confirmation that their message is authentic.”
High profile cases
The launch of Windows 10 has been exploited by scammers. They sent Windows users fake emails asking them to open an installer to receive their upgrade. The following message said that files are encrypted and that the recipient must pay to unlock them within 96 hours. It turned out that the emails originated from an IP address in Thailand.
There was also a big customer data breach at Carphone Warehouse earlier this month, with the details of more than two million people at risk.
Action Fraud’s name is even being used to scam people. Fraudsters call victims claiming to be from Action Fraud and the police to trick them into handing over their account numbers, sort code and other personal information.
What you can do
The basics still stand: don’t give any personal or financial details to anyone claiming to be from your bank, utility or telecoms company or the police. Don’t feel pressured to transfer your money if you’re in any doubt about where it’s going to.
Be vigilant if a cold caller suggests that your hang up the phone and ring them back as they can keep your phone line open by not putting down the receiver at their end. If you sense something isn’t right you should hang up, wait five minutes to clear the line or use a different phone line, then call your bank on the advertised number (check your online account or your most recent bank statement) to report the fraud.
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