Protect Yourself From Fraud

How to spot scam?

Scams are not always obvious, especially at times when we have other things on our mind, for example health issues, money or work troubles, family worries etc. In these instances, it may take us longer than usual to work out something is wrong.

Be aware of some of the warning signs:

• An unknown person contacts you suddenly out of the blue.

• You’re being aggressively pressured to respond, without allowing you time to discuss with friends or family.

• You’re being asked to pay for a purchased in an unusual way e.g. via gift cards/vouchers.

• You’re being asked to provide personal information.

Here are some of the more common scams to be looking out for:

1.

Impersonation Scams

• Beware of scams where someone pretends to be from a trusted organisation like your bank, the police, or even a friend or family member. They might reach out through calls, texts, emails, or social media, claiming there's an urgent issue with your account, or that they need money for an emergency.

• They might ask you to transfer money to a "safe account" or claim it's for a police investigation. Sometimes, they'll even impersonate someone you know, asking for money to help with a supposed crisis like being stuck abroad or needing to pay a bill.

• If you're ever asked to send money unexpectedly or urgently, it's crucial to be suspicious. These scammers are experts at manipulating and tricking people into giving away personal and financial information. Stay alert and protect yourself from becoming a victim!

2.

Investment Scams

• Watch out for scams where you're asked to put your money into fake funds or invest in something that turns out to be bogus.

• These scammers might contact you out of the blue or promote fake investment opportunities online, sometimes using pressure tactics to make you act fast. They might seem legitimate, using celebrity endorsements or fake testimonials to reel you in, but it's all fake.

• They'll go to great lengths to make their scams seem real, setting up fake websites that look official and even sending paperwork with seemingly official logos. Sometimes, they'll even send you small payments to make it seem like your investment is paying off, hoping you'll invest even more.

• These scammers spend a lot of time researching you and might even pretend to be financial advisers, asking you to download software that lets them access your financial information. Don't fall for it!

3.

Purchase Scams

• When you shop online, be wary of scammers trying to trick you into paying for things that aren't real. They might use auction sites or social media, stealing pictures from real sellers to make it seem legitimate. They might also set up fake websites that look almost identical to real ones, just to fool you.

• These scammers might ask for money upfront and send you fake receipts to make it seem real. They'll offer all sorts of things like pets, DIY equipment, or electronics like game consoles and phones, but it's all fake. They might even ask you to pay for shipping or insurance, just to squeeze more money out of you. Be mindful, when something seems too good to be true, it often is!

4.

Advance Fee Scams

Also known as ‘a payment in advance fraud’, this is when you’re convinced to pay an upfront fee in order to receive a prize/service, high-value goods or loans which never materialise.

5.

Invoice Scams

• Watch out for invoice or mandate scams! This is when scammers pretend to be your builder, lawyer, or someone from a trusted organisation. They'll send you new bank account details and trick you into sending money to them instead.

• These sneaky scams often involve criminals hacking into emails, accessing your supplier's email account, or pretending to be them, a tactic called spoofing. Stay alert to protect yourself from falling victim to these tricks!

6.

Romance Scams

• Romance fraud happens when someone with bad intentions creates a fake profile to get close to you.

• They'll try to win your trust by being really understanding, learning personal things about you, and making up stories to make it seem like you're a perfect match. These scammers sometimes focus on pages for people who are widowed or divorced.

• Once they've got you feeling comfortable, they'll start asking for money. It could be for an urgent situation, travel expenses to meet you, or even asking you to borrow money in your name. They might promise to pay you back, but it's usually just part of their trick.

7.

Doorstop Scams

A person calling out of the blue might suggest a service you might not actually require. They might say they've spotted something about your property, like your roof needing attention, and propose fixing it for a high fee or in cash.

8.

Identity Theft

• Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information to do things like open bank accounts, get credit cards, or even apply for government documents using your name.

• Criminals can snatch your information in different ways, like rummaging through your trash for bank statements or stealing your driving license, cheques, or cards. They use details like your name, birthday, and addresses to pull off identity theft.

• Another trick they use is stealing your mail, sometimes by secretly redirecting it to another address. Even social media isn't safe - scammers can use it to learn more about you and steal your identity.

• If this happens to you, it can tarnish your credit and make it hard to get loans or credit cards in the future. Stay vigilant to protect yourself from identity theft!