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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.

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Common Scams

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  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?

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