A couple of specific scam warnings this week related to common, current problems.
The first is about texts and automated phone calls which are suggesting problems with National Insurance or Tax. These are all scams. I’ve personally had these this week and have spoken to many people who have already received the calls.
National Insurance scam calls
Action Fraud have received over 1,000 extra calls from members of the public this week reporting National Insurance scams.
Callers have reported receiving an automated telephone call telling them their National Insurance number has been compromised and in order to fix this and get a new number, the victim needs to press 1 on their handset to be connected to the caller. This is a scam.
If you receive an unexpected phone call, text message or email that asks for your personal or financial details, remember to:
Take a moment to think
Challenge. It’s ok to reject or ignore requests
Protect. If you think you’ve scammed report it to Action Fraud
Tell your bank straight away.
Tax Fraud
The other scam that is doing the rounds is one telling you that a warrant is out for your arrest and that you have 48 hours to sort out your tax fraud. Scary stuff.
Remember: if there is pressure; scare tactics or bullying; timescales or something to do immediately then these are signs of scams.
These phone messages are particularly unpleasant. We have to remember that these types of ‘scam’ are actually crimes and people falling for them are victims. These types of call have been frightening to the recipients so these are criminal in nature and create victims even before the financial scam starts.
Be aware of these types of attack so you can hang-up, delete or block numbers. Ideally report them too. And be positive warning others to ignore them too.
Holiday season scams
With just the slightest hint of a possibility of a holiday later in the year, people are enthusiastically booking their next get always. And the fraudsters have been rubbing their hands with glee. There are plenty of scams around booking holidays at the best of times, and now people are even more vulnerable due to speed of booking; perhaps new ways of booking and a potential lack of care double checking things.
A warning from Action Fraud and others:
The national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime and ABTA, The Travel Association, are reminding the public to think twice before handing over their money and personal information when booking holidays this year. In previous years, criminals have targeted unsuspecting holidaymakers booking airline tickets, holiday accommodation and religious pilgrimages.
Read the whole article just here
For a full list of tips to avoid becoming a victim of fraud, please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/planning-and-booking-a-holiday/how-avoid-travel-related-fraud.
If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Take care.
Any concerns about scams please remember to report them or talk to the Policing teams or even to Glyn or Karl.