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

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

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

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%) (14%) Doorstep (14%) Facts and figures

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) Impact on victims

Think Jessica video

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

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 Prize draw scam – advice

Pensions scam You receive a call, text, 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

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 Pensions scam – advice

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

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

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

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 Bank courier scam – advice

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

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 Doorstep crime – advice

Keep calm and hang up! Report to Action Fraud Conduct your own research Check letters / s 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 Top tips

Report to Action Fraud – – Advice from Citizens Advice – – Guidance from Age UK – ( ) Further information

Questions?