£44,035 lost in a hacked Facebook scam: There has been a surge of reports where the recipient has received messages through Facebook Messenger from friends/family requesting to use their PayPal account to receive funds from the sale of items on eBay. Overall, between 1st June 2020 and 31st July 2020 a total of 95 reports have been made to Action Fraud, which specifically mention that the item sold was a camera. Messages are sent by fraudsters purporting to be friends/family stating that they have sold a camera on eBay but that they are unable to process the payment as they either do not have a PayPal account or because their PayPal account is not working. The request is that the message recipient receives the funds into their own PayPal account, then, after transferring it into their own bank account, they forward it onto an account controlled by the fraudster. If the victim agrees the payment is transferred into their PayPal account but, after the money is transferred out, the initial transaction is reversed leaving the account in negative balance. Multiple reports have also been received from victims stating that their Facebook Messenger accounts have been hacked and that these fraudulent messages have been sent to all their contacts on their behalf. The total reported loss for these reports is £44,035.
What you need to do:
Verify financial requests: Be wary of unusual messages asking for assistance with financial transactions. Even if the message appears to be from someone you know and trust, you should check it’s really them that sent the message by calling them or speaking with them in person.
Unusual financial requests: Never respond to any requests to send money, or have money transferred through your account, by someone you don’t know and trust.
Secure your accounts: You can protect your important online accounts by using a strong separate password and, where available, turn on two- factor authentication (2FA).
If you have made a payment: Inform your bank, or payment service provider, such as PayPal, as soon as possible. They can help you prevent any further losses. You should also monitor your bank statements regularly for any unusual activity.
Report all scams to us via 0808 223 1133.
Pet travel: To make sure your pet is able to travel from Great Britain to the EU from 1 January 2021, you should contact your vet at least 4 months before travelling to get the latest advice. The UK will become a third country from 1 January 2021. Third countries can apply to the European Commission to be listed. In the EU Pet Travel Scheme, there are 3 categorisations of third country: unlisted; Part 1 listed; Part 2 listed. Pet travel requirements will change depending on what category the UK becomes on 1 January 2021. Find out more here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-after-brexit
Staycations: With restrictions on travelling abroad, and further countries being added to the list for quarantine measures, many of us are booking staycations instead. However, be aware of scams when booking. Know how to spot a fake listing! An example of a booking con that should make you think twice, would be an Air B&B host offering to give you a discount on the advertised price if you make payment direct to them via bank transfer. If they then fail to provide the accommodation it can be extremely difficult or even impossible to obtain a refund.
Which has produced a useful guide on how to spot scams on Air B&B and other letting sites, which it worth reading before booking your staycation: https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/uk-hotel-chains/article/how-to-spot-scams-on-airbnb-and-other-letting-sites. Report all scams to us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Reminder: If you're contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service, you will not be asked to provide any passwords, bank account details or PINs.
Investment schemes: Criminals are targeting Instagram users with fraudulent investment schemes. Action Fraud received 164 reports in June alone, with victims losing a combined total of over £350,000. Fraudsters approach (or are approached by) victims via the instant messaging feature of the platform after advertising their service. They claim to only require an initial investment of a few hundred pounds which they say will be used to trade on the stock market or to buy and trade foreign currency (Forex) until they have multiplied the investment several times within a matter of days which is paid to the victim after a small commission is deducted for the service.
In reality, once the initial investment has been transferred the victim is given a series of excuses as to why their money and ‘profits’ cannot be returned unless more money is sent. Eventually all contact is severed and the victim is blocked by the suspect. Victims are usually requested to send the money by bank transfer or through a cryptocurrency platform which means it is nearly impossible to retrieve. Whilst individual financial losses from this fraud are comparably smaller than other types of fraudulent investment schemes, this fraud targets a younger demographic, typically aged between 20 and 30, with less savings or those who are financially vulnerable and are searching for a quick and easy way to make money.
Spot the signs and protect yourself!
Unsolicited offers: A common tactic used by criminals is to promote “investment” opportunities via social media accounts, promising large returns from a small up-front payment. Never respond to any requests to send money, or have money transferred through your account, by someone you don’t know and trust.
Investment opportunities: Don’t be rushed into making an investment. Remember, legitimate organisations will never pressure you into making a transaction on the spot.
Seek advice first: Speak with a trusted friend or family members, and seek independent professional advice before making significant financial decisions.
FCA register: Use the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) register to check if the company is regulated by the FCA. If you deal with a firm (or individual) that isn’t regulated, you may not be covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) if things go wrong and you lose your money. For more information about how to invest safely, please visit: https://www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart
Masterlite: Masterlite would like to make customers aware of a safety concern with the below B22-E27 lampholder converters. There is a risk of electric shock resulting from direct contact with internal live parts which could occur if you attempt to replace an E27 lamp without first switching off the mains supply. The products were on sale in B&Q from October 2019 – March 2020. All batches sold are affected by this issue. If you have purchased any of these converters, please contact the following helpline for further assistance: 0800 009 2981 (B22 – E27 Lampholder Converter (90411) Barcode No. 5014838904114).
HMRC calls: We are receiving a high number of reports of scam HMRC calls to residents. The recorded messages threatens arrest or legal action due to outstanding debt. Do not press 1 or follow any other instructions given in an automated message. If you receive a suspicious phone call, you can help HMRC’s investigations by providing:
- your phone number
- the caller’s phone number
- the time and date of the call
- a brief description of the call
Email them on phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
If you think you may have given financial details to a scammer, contact your bank immediately.
Job-seekers are being targeted by scammers: 10% of job-seekers have fallen victim to a scam, losing up to £500 for non-existent checks or being tricked into calling premium rate phone lines for interviews. Job scams are on the rise and in the last two years there has been a 300% rise in recruitment related fraud and misconduct.
Tips for jobseekers:
- Never pay money up front
- Never call the company for an interview
- Do not give out personal details that are not relevant to an application process - such as bank account details, a National Insurance number, date of birth, driving licence or utility bill information
- Do not do everything online - at some point a job discussion should lead to a phone or face-to-face interview
- Do research about the company the job is with - check landline telephone numbers to confirm the job is real, and use social media and other sources to find out more about the firm.
You can report a recruitment scam to Safer Jobs here: https://www.safer-jobs.com/contact/report_incident
Gift card scams: Beware of the gift card scam emails that appear to be from friends or colleagues. There has been a rise in reports of individuals receiving an email from a known contact that asks them to purchase a quantity of gift cards as a favour. The sender states that they are unable to get to the shops, and needs them urgently. Most people will not think twice when receiving an email from their boss or colleague asking for help, however we are advising that if you receive a request to buy a high value gift card, this should be a red flag. Once the gift cards are bought, the impersonators will ask you to send them the number on the gift card. They then use the numbers to download the value quickly. The money is gone and almost impossible to trace. The scammers use various techniques from hacking email accounts, to creating an email address that looks very similar to that of the genuine sender. If you receive an email asking you to buy gift cards as a favour, pick up the phone and call your colleague or friend to make sure the request for help is genuine. Report all scams to us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Fake pet sales: Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic we have seen a rise in reports of fake pet sales, in particular puppies and kittens, being advertised for sale via social media.
The fraudsters will place an advert of the pet for sale, often claiming that the pet is currently held somewhere less accessible or overseas. The fraudsters also using lockdown as a way of stopping buyers from visiting to look at the animal. Upon agreement of a sale, the suspect will usually request an advance payment by money transfer or bank transfer. However, the pet does not materialise. The fraudster is then not contactable or will subsequently ask for further advanced payments for courier charges, shipping fees and additional transportation costs. Even if further payments are made, the pet will still not materialise as it is likely to not exist.
Tips to staying safe when purchasing pets:
- Be cautious if the seller initially requests payment via one method, but later claims that due to ‘issues with their account’ they will need to take the payment via an alternative method such as a bank transfer.
- Consider conducting research on other information provided by the seller, for example a mobile phone number or email address used by the seller could alert you to any negative information associated with the number/email address online.
- Request details of the courier company being used and consider researching it.
- Agree a suitable time to meet face-to-face to agree the purchase and to collect the pet. If the seller is reluctant to meet then it could be an indication that the pet does not exist.
- A genuine seller should be keen to ensure that the pet is going to a caring and loving new home. If the seller does not express any interest in you and the pet’s new home, be wary.
- If you think the purchase price is too good to be true then it probably is, especially if the pet is advertised as a pure-breed.
- Do not be afraid to request copies of the pet’s inoculation history, breed paperwork and certification prior to agreeing a sale. If the seller is reluctant or unable to provide this information it could be an indication that either the pet does not exist or the pet has been illegally bred e.g. it originates from a ‘puppy farm’. A ‘puppy farm’ is a commercial dog breeding enterprise where the sole aim is to maximise profit for the least investment. Commercial dog breeders must be registered with their local authority and undergo regular inspections to ensure that the puppies are bred responsibly and are in turn fit and healthy. Illegally farmed puppies will often be kept in inadequate conditions and are more likely to suffer from ailments and illnesses associated with irresponsible breeding.
- When thinking of buying a pet, consider buying them in person from rescue centres or from reputable breeders.
If you have been affected this or any other scam, please report it to us via 0808 223 1133.
Super Soaker Recall: Super Soaker recalls two water blasters with decorative stickers containing lead. The decorative sticker on the water tank of the Super Soaker XP 20 and Super Soaker XP 30 water blasters may contain levels of lead in the ink that exceed regulatory limits. Consumers should immediately stop using the affected product and contact the company for instructions on how to return the product and receive a full refund. More information here: https://www.supersoakerrecall.com/