There are lots of different types of scams and they’re constantly evolving. Scammers have come up with numerous ways to get hold of people’s cash, by stealing details or even getting you to hand it over to them!
But don’t worry as we have plenty of tips to help you know when somebody is trying to scam you, and what to do about it.
Make sure to also give Take Five's website a visit for even more helpful information.
Fraudsters will contact you and offer you a large sum of money, often a lottery winning or an inheritance and ask you to pay a small up front fee to claim the money. Once the money is paid you will not receive anything in return.
Offers that sounds too good to be true.
They create an urgency to act promptly.
Don't give you enough time to think it through or even advise that the offer is only for you and should not be discussed with anyone.
If someone is telling you that you have won money in a lottery that you haven’t entered then it’s highly likely to be a scam.
Never send money to a company in order to claim a prize.
Fraudsters can use you to move their stolen or illegally obtained money through your account. You would be known as a 'money mule' if you allow someone to use your account to launder money.
Job advertisements offering a chance to earn easy money for a few hours work per week.
They'll use your account to deposit money and then transfer elsewhere or withdraw it in cash and offer to pay you for doing so.
Don't use or allow someone to use your bank account to move money for others.
Never give your financial details to someone you don't know or trust
Remember
Even if you don't know how the money has been obtained, handling this type of money is a crime.
You may be held responsible for this activity and may be prosecuted.
Fraudsters take advantage of people looking for partners on dating websites, apps or social media by pretending to be prospective companions. They play on your emotions and obtain money, expensive gifts or your full personal and/or financial information.
Just after a few conversations someone expresses strong feelings for you, and asks to chat with you privately using email or phone.
Asks lots of personal questions about you but tells you very little about themselves.
Always have an excuse for why they can't meet you in person.
Once the trust has been built, they will tell you they are having some problems (such as a sick relative) and ask you to send some money to help.
Using your emotional triggers they'll keep asking for more money or gifts.
Moving communication away from the dating site platform onto a one to one platform such as email or private messaging.
Always check out if their profile is consistent with what they tell you.
Don't send money to someone whom you don't know, especially when you've met only online.
Never give your personal details, financial details or important personal documents to anyone you don’t know.
Fraudsters will contact you to offer pension investment opportunities to help you release cash from your pension early by investing in unregulated or bogus schemes.
Be cautious if anyone claims you can cash in your pension before the age of 55 it is likely to be a scam.
As from 09 January 2019 it's illegal for companies to make unwanted, unsolicited phone calls to people about their pensions. Those that break the rules may face enforcement actions, including fines.
If you receive an unexpected call or email about your pension offering you a free pension review.
Offers to take your money from your pension and invest in a bogus scheme promising higher returns.
Don't provide you with any advice on tax implications.
Never be rushed to make a pension transfer without carefully considering, do full research.
Always take advice from a independent financial adviser, registered with Financial Conduct Authority.
Fraudsters will approach you as a sales person asking you to invest in shares, plots of land, gold, carbon credits, wine or other investments. They promise you a high return on your money or tax-free benefits but often they are either worthless or of very little value.
If you receive an unexpected call or email offering you a very high return investment opportunity.
Create an urgency to act, saying the offer or opportunity is available only for a limited time.
Don't explain to you fully the risks of the investment.
They may call repeatedly and sometimes advise you not to tell anyone, as the offer is only for you.
Never make any investment decision without careful consideration, do full research.
Always take advice from an independent financial adviser, registered with the Financial Conduct Authority.
Fraudsters pose as professional sales men and knock on your door and try to obtain work from you (such as home repairs, window replacements). Once the money is paid they will never show up or do a very poor job.
They often claim that work needs to be addressed soon (such as we've identified your home needs urgent repairs and advise that the repairs need doing immediately).
They will pressure you into getting the work done.
They will ask for the money to be paid upfront and sometimes in full.
Once the money is handed over either they will never show up or do the work to a very low standard.
Don't feel pressurised into getting the work done without a second opinion.
Always verify the identity of the doorstep seller.
Do not hand any money over prior to the work being done.
Don't let them escort you to your bank or building society to withdraw the money.
Put up a no cold calling door sticker to deter traders.
If you believe you have been approached by a rogue trader you should report it to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06, or contact the Police.
Fraudsters may contact you pretending to be from your bank/building society or the police claiming that there is an issue with your bank account. They may tell you that it is at risk or request that you help them with an ongoing investigation. Their aim is to trick you into handing over money or high value goods, re-assuring you that you will be reimbursed. They will either arrange for a courier to collect the money/goods or ask you to transfer money into a ‘safe account’.
They often claim that the investigation involves corrupt employees at the bank/building society or police officers, and ask for your help with their investigation.
They ask you to carry out a task such as; withdrawing a large amount of cash or foreign currency, purchasing high value items (e.g. a watch) or provide bank card details over the phone including your pin number, and then arrange for a courier to come and collect the monies, items or your bank cards.
They may ask you to transfer money into a ‘safe account’ and provide you with the details advising you that this has been set up in your name.
They will advise you not to tell anyone about the call as you are part of an undercover investigation and they may give you a cover story to tell the cashiers e.g. the money is to be used for a holiday.
Be wary of unsolicited phone calls from the police and/or your bank/building society requesting personal information.
If you receive a call like this, terminate the call. You can ring the police back using 101 or ring your bank/building society back by using a telephone number on their website or bank card. Ideally you should ring them back using a different phone line or mobile.
Never hand money or items over on the back of an unexpected phone call. Your bank/building society or the police will never ask you to withdraw money or buy items on their behalf.
Never share your personal details with anyone. Your bank/building society or the police will never ask you to provide them with your PIN number.
Fraudsters will try and gain access to your PC/device as it will contain lots of personal information which they can use. They often do this via telephone, purporting to be from your internet provider and advising you that there is a problem with your internet which they need to fix. They will advise you that they need to access your PC remotely and may ask you to visit a website or open a link/attachment, which then gives them full access to your PC. They then may ask you to log into some of your online account profiles, which they can then take control of. The fraudster can be on the phone to you for over an hour!
If you receive a call like this, terminate the call. A genuine provider would never call you out of the blue regarding issues with your PC.
Do not let anyone have access to your device, especially remotely.
Do not click on any suspicious links or open any attachments.
Use anti-virus software on your device.
If you have let someone remotely access your PC, report it immediately.
If you think you've been a victim of fraud or if you suspect fraudulent activity on your account with us please contact us to report it immediately.
We may monitor or record our calls for security purposes.
You can also report this to Action fraud on 0300 123 2040 (Lines open 24 hours a day.)
Cheque Fraud
