BE ON YOUR GUARD AGAINST FRAUD AND SCAMS
It is a sad fact that fraudsters and scammers continue to increase in numbers – especially since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of frauds/scams and the amount of money people have been robbed of is appalling.
We all need to be on our guard and remember: if something sounds too good to be true, that is usually exactly what it is!
Watch out for anything that doesn’t look, sound or feel right, such as:
- Random telephone calls – recorded messages said to be from your Bank, the Tax Office, Police or other officials, saying your personal information is being used for illegal purposes. Hang up immediately, this is a scam.
- Strangers calling – who ask for your personal information or details about your bank account and your PIN number. Hang up immediately, this is a scam.
- Unknown callers, internet adverts, emails or letters – asking you to invest in “get rich quick” or schemes offering extraordinarily high returns. Hang up or throw away such mail.
- Unexpected email – encouraging you to ‘click’ on its links. Do not; you could introduce a virus into your system; delete the email immediately.
- Be careful who you befriend on the Internet – if a new friend asks for money, however sad or believable their ‘story’, end your chat immediately, or at least talk it through with someone you trust before you do anything.
- Vendors at the door – selling unseen or poor-quality goods/services – politely tell them to move on.
Don’t be fearful – just be aware of the tactics scammers use and protect yourself.
If you are unlucky and become a victim of fraud remember it is not your fault and you have nothing to be ashamed off – scammers are extremely cunning, devious and convincing.
Report the incident to the Police or ActionFraud on 0300 123 2040 or use ActionFraud's online reporting tool to help prevent someone else being scammed.
If payments are involved, contract your Bank straightaway to see what they can do to stop payments/get your money back.
Independent Age and AgeUK websites – and your local Police – provide informative on where you might encounter scams, how to spot and avoid being a victim of a scam or how to report a scam if it happens.
July 2021