CRIMINALS STEAL OVER HALF A BILLION POUNDS AND NEARLY 80 PER CENT OF APP FRAUD STARTS ONLINE

UK Finance has released its half-year fraud report, detailing the amount its members reported as stolen through fraud and scams in the first half of 2023.

• Criminals stole £580 million through unauthorised and authorised fraud in the first half of 2023, a two per cent decrease compared with the same period in 2022.
• Banks prevented a further £651 million of unauthorised fraud from being stolen through advanced security systems.
• 77 per cent of APP fraud started online and another 17 per cent started through telecommunications networks.
• The financial services sector is at the forefront of efforts to protect customers from fraud, including partnering with other sectors, government and law enforcement to prevent and disrupt this criminal activity and bring perpetrators to justice.

In the first six months of this year ruthless criminals had already stolen more than half a billion pounds from victims through fraud. In addition to the financial losses, these crimes often involve callous manipulation of the victim which can cause psychological and emotional harm. As the UK Finance report shows, criminals are increasingly using social media, online platforms, texts, phone calls and emails to deceive victims into giving up their personal details and their money.

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Action Fraud warns of social media account and email takeover scams

Action Fraud is urging people to use strong passwords and 2-step verification after receiving thousands of reports about hacked email and social media accounts.

Data from Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service, shows that from August 2022 – July 2023, there were 18,011 reports of social media and email hacking.

Within these reports, 4,092 victims reported being extorted for money, or having their accounts used to perpetrate fraud against the wider public. In one example, Action Fraud has received over a dozen reports in the last two months relating to hacked social media accounts being utilised to promote fake Taylor Swift tickets.

Members of the public are less likely to suspect it’s a scam if the tickets appear to be sold by someone who has lots of friends on their profile and posts dating back many years.

What can you do to avoid being a victim?

• Use a strong and different password for your email and social media accounts. Your email and social media passwords should be strong and different from all your other passwords. Combining three random words that each mean something to you is a great way to create a password that is easy to remember but hard to crack.
• Turn on 2-Step Verification (2SV) for your email and social media accounts. 2-Step Verification (2SV) gives you twice the protection so even if cyber criminals have your password, they can't access your email or social media account. 2SV works by asking for more information to prove your identity. For example, getting a code sent to your phone when you sign in using a new device or change settings such as your password. You won't be asked for this every time you check you check your email or social media.

If you live in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, report it  at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, victims of fraud and cybercrime should report to Police Scotland on 101.

Suspicious emails should also be sent to SERS at report@phishing.gov.uk

TAKEAWAYS FOR BUSINESS

1. Check out your businesses IP address and browser security with the NCSC’s new cyber security service (it is free and easy to use). https://checkcybersecurity.service.ncsc.gov.uk/

2. Check your company accounts regularly. Whether it’s a bank account or payment service take the time to check the money coming into and out. If something seems odd question it!

3. Keep an eye on your invoices. If prices seem to be inflating rapidly, question it. Inflation may not be the only cause.

4. Business is encouraged to report fraud or cybercrime to Action Fraud.