1 / 20

Common Scams

Common Scams. Lewis Collantine & Clare Cunningham Thurrock Trading Standards. 8 th September 2015. What is a scam?. Oxford English Dictionary “A dishonest scheme; a fraud” Synonyms : Con, trick, swindle, fraud Scams = a crime!!. Common scams. Lottery. Bogus Websites. Dating.

annamedina
Télécharger la présentation

Common Scams

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Common Scams Lewis Collantine & Clare Cunningham Thurrock Trading Standards 8th September 2015

  2. What is a scam? Oxford English Dictionary “A dishonest scheme; a fraud” Synonyms: Con, trick, swindle, fraud Scams = a crime!!

  3. Common scams Lottery Bogus Websites Dating Bank Courier Pensions Loans Pyramid Selling Phishing Computer Virus Doorstep Investment Prize Draws

  4. Facts and figures • 48% of people in the UK have been targeted by a scam • 3.2m people fall victim each year • £3.5bn lost to scammers each year • Only 5% of scams are reported Telephone (38%) Online (20%) Email (14%) Doorstep (14%)

  5. Impact on victims • Loss of money (or life savings) • Debt • Loss of confidence • Feelings of guilt or stupidity • Depression • Poor health • Identity fraud • Emotional trauma (for families too)

  6. Think Jessica video

  7. Prize draw scam • You receive a letter informing you that you’ve won a prize • Letter appears to be “official” • You need to pay a fee or buy £15 worth of products to receive it • Passport / bank statement • More letters start arriving • Letters received by a pensioner in just one month Reality:You haven’t won a prize

  8. Prize draw scam – advice • Never respond to these letters • If you have responded, stop all future contact • If you have provided your bank details, report it to your bank immediately • Report to Action Fraud • Warn your friends and family

  9. Pensions scam • You receive a call, text, email or visit to your home • Offered a “free pension review” or investment opportunity • Early access to pension fund for under 55s • Build up your trust and encourage you to transfer your pension fund • Would you trust a fraudster with your pension pot? Reality:You may lose your life savings

  10. Pensions scam – advice • Keep calm and hang up! • Report to Action Fraud • Conduct your own research • Contact the Pensions Advisory Service or Money Advice Service • Warn your friends and family

  11. Computer virus scam • Phone call advising that your computer is infected with a virus • Caller is from “Microsoft” or another large IT company • Advised to download software to remove the virus • May be asked to pay a fee of £50+ • Would you let a fraudster access your computer? Reality:Your computer is probably not infected

  12. Computer virus scam – advice • Keep calm and hang up! • Report to Action Fraud • Report to your bank • Download antivirus software • Warn your friends and family

  13. Bank courier scam • Phone call from your bank regarding suspicious transactions • Advised to hang up and dial number on the back of your card • They don’t hang up and pose as your bank • Security questions and PIN number • Courier collects your card • Would you let a fraudster use your debit or credit card? Reality:Fraudsters will have your card and PIN

  14. Bank courier scam – advice • Keep calm and hang up! • Your bank will never ask your PIN number or send a courier to your home • Using a different phone line, report to your bank • Report to Action Fraud • Warn your friends and family

  15. Doorstep crime • Unsolicited doorstep caller or a leaflet through your door • Driveways, roofing, tree cutting, landscaping etc. • Work may not need doing • Quotes given verbally • Very little paperwork • Source: BBC Rogue Traders Reality:Poor / unfinished work and overpayment

  16. Doorstep crime – advice • Don’t agree to work from doorstep callers • Report to Trading Standards and Police • Conduct your own research • Find a Buy With Confidence trader • Obtain 2 or 3 written quotes • Don’t pay for work upfront • Warn your friends and family

  17. Top tips • Keep calm and hang up! • Report to Action Fraud • Conduct your own research • Check letters / emails for spelling mistakes • Shred letters containing your personal details • Your bank will never ask your PIN number or send a courier to your home • Warn your friends and family

  18. Further information • Report to Action Fraud • www.actionfraud.police.uk • 0300 123 2040 • Advice from Citizens Advice • www.adviceguide.org.uk/scamaware • 03454 04 05 06 • Guidance from Age UK • www.ageuk.org.uk/scams (0800 169 6565)

  19. Questions?

More Related