Scams

As the UK grapples with its cost-of-living crisis, scammers are taking advantage of people’s increased financial vulnerability.

https://www.forbes.com/uk/advisor/personal-finance/2022/08/18/five-scams-beware-2022/

Cyber Crime Police in North Wales have issued a warning over cold callers claiming to be from Sky broadband.

https://www.deeside.com/police-warning-over-scammers-claiming-to-be-from-sky-broadband-advising-they-are-due-compensation/

Our everyday routines are changing, and taking care of our finances is no exception. Due to the popularity of cashless and contactless payments, internet banking, and buy now, pay later (BNPL) services, the days of visiting a branch for basic banking needs are long gone. In 2021 alone, 93% of customers used one or more digital payment methods and BNPL services accounted for $100 billion in purchases.

https://www.finextra.com/blogposting/22743/how-can-banks-protect-the-newest-wave-of-scam-victims

An advert on social media platform Facebook featuring Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield claimed to be a legitimate investment offer, leading to the victim transferring the record loss in several payments.

https://www.yourmoney.com/investing/scam-holly-willoughby-ad-saw-victim-lose-370k/

Phone scam reports have fallen by 81 pent cent in Wales over the last year, new regional data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed.

https://www.wrexham.com/news/drop-in-the-number-of-phone-scams-reported-to-hmrc-in-wales-this-year-222011.html

Question: Scammers contacted my father on WhatsApp pretending to be me, and manipulated him into sharing his bank details. They accessed his account online and stole almost £10,000.

https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/money/ask-jenny-ross-should-bank-reimburse-the-full-ps10000-my-dad-lost-to-whatsapp-scammers-3768947

People are being urged to look out for these three cost of living scams as fraudsters move in to exploit the crisis. Official government payments are usually automatic so if you get a request for information then it could be a scam.

https://www.kentlive.news/news/cost-of-living/dwp-martin-lewis-ofgem-issue-7334830?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

The cost of living crisis and soaring gas and electricity bills mean many of us are being contacted about energy more frequently.

https://metro.co.uk/2022/07/04/cost-of-living-scams-to-look-out-for-and-how-to-be-extra-careful-16927002/?ito=article.desktop.share.top.twitter

Britain has been called the fraud capital of the world after scammers tricked victims out of a record £584m last year, with scams which start on WhatsApp up by a staggering 2000%. 66-year-old Angela Briscoe was the victim of what is being dubbed ‘the mum and dad WhatsApp scam’, when fraudsters impersonated her son and messaged her to ask for money. Believing it really was her son who was travelling in Mexico at the time, Angela transferred nearly £10,000 to the scammers - the only savings she had. Although she has been able to claim some of the money back, Angela is still thousands of pounds out of pocket. She joins us today to tell her story and warn others about WhatsApp scams.

https://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/whatsapp-scams-i-was-conned-out-of-my-life-savings

THE DVLA has issued an urgent warning to be alert for a sophisticated new scam which could see your bank account emptied.

https://www.express.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/1627632/dvla-urgent-scam-warning-britons-could-lose-thousands