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According to the Metropolitan police, Fraud is when a person lies to you, or ‘scams’ you, to gain an advantage, such as taking your money or learning private information about you. This could be via email, text, phone or in person, either on the street or on your doorstep.
Some adults may be especially vulnerable to fraud and financial abuse. If you’re concerned about someone you know, contact your local social services, and ask for Adult Social Care.
With a little knowledge you can protect yourself from fraudsters.
Ten golden rules to prevent fraud:
Remember these ten golden rules to help you prevent fraud and beat the scammers.
Be suspicious of all ‘too good to be true’ offers and deals. There are no guaranteed get-rich-quick schemes.
Don’t agree to offers or deals immediately. Insist on time to get independent or legal advice before deciding.
Don’t hand over money or sign anything until you’ve checked someone’s credentials and their company’s.
Never send money to anyone you don’t know or trust, whether in the UK or abroad, or use methods of payment you’re not comfortable with.
Never give banking or personal details to anyone you don’t know or trust. This information is valuable so make sure you protect it.
Always log on to a website directly rather than clicking on links in an email.
Don’t just rely on glowing testimonials. Find solid, independent evidence of a company’s success.
Always get independent or legal advice if an offer involves money, time, or commitment.
If you spot a scam or have been scammed, report it, and get help.
Don’t be embarrassed about reporting a scam. Because the scammers are cunning and clever there’s no shame in being deceived. By reporting it, you’ll make it more difficult for them to deceive others.
Get help or report a scam:
If you think you’ve uncovered a scam, been targeted by a scam, or fallen victim to fraudsters, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at Action Fraud.
Call 101 if you know the suspect or they’re still in the area.
Reporting crime, including fraud, is important. If you don’t tell the authorities, how do they know it’s happened and how can they do anything about it?
Remember that if you’re a victim of a scam or an attempted scam, however minor, there may be hundreds or thousands of others in a similar position. Your information may form part of one big jigsaw and be vital to completing the picture.
Banking and payment card scams:
Banking and payment card scams involve the fraudulent use of a victim’s card details to withdraw cash or buy goods. With cases of card fraud on the increase, it’s more important than ever to protect your card details when you’re out and about and when you’re shopping online.
Phone scams:
Your bank and the police will never ring and ask you to verify your PIN, withdraw cash or purchase high-value goods. They’ll also never come to your home to collect your card, cash or purchased items. If you get a call like this, end the call.
If you get a call from your bank or the police, make sure you know who the person is before handing over any personal details. You can do this by calling your bank (the number on the back of your card) or the police (101) on a different phone line.
To get a different line, use a phone owned by a family member, friend, or neighbour. This is because scammers can keep phone lines open after pretending to hang up. So, while you think you’re making a new phone call, the line is still open to the scammer, who pretends to be someone from your bank or the police.
Depending on your bank, the security questions they ask may be different, but they’ll never ask you to authorise anything by entering your PIN into your phone.
Never send money abroad to a person you’ve never met or to anyone you don’t actually know and trust.
Likewise, never agree to keep your online relationship a secret. This is a ploy to get you not to tell your family and friends, who’ll see the scam for exactly what it is.
Equally, don’t accept any offer of money. A scammer may ask you to accept money from them into your own bank account, using a convincing story as to why they can’t use their own account.
The circumstances may seem genuine, but you may unwittingly be committing the criminal offence of money laundering.
ATM or cash machine scams:
Never share your debit or credit card PIN with anyone. If you see anything unusual about the cash machine or it’s been tampered with, don’t use it and report it to the bank as soon as possible.
When using the ATM:
- cover your PIN as you type it,
- Stand close to the machine
- Use your free hand and body to shield the keypad as you enter your PIN!
This will prevent any prying eyes or hidden cameras seeing your PIN.
Don’t get distracted. Be particularly cautious if seemingly well-meaning strangers talk to you or offer to help while you’re using the ATM.
If they’re persistent, simply cancel the transaction and discreetly put your card away. Fraudsters sometimes fit devices to cash machines that trap your card, or ‘eat’ it, which they then retrieve as soon as you’ve left the area.
If an ATM eats your card for any reason, report it to your card company straight away, ideally using your mobile while you’re still in front of the machine.
Make sure you store your card company’s 24-hour contact number in your phone.
Once you’ve completed a transaction put your money and card away before leaving the cash machine.
Destroy or ideally shred your cash-machine receipts, mini-statements or balance enquiries when you’ve finished with them.
Banking scams:
Check your statements or your online account regularly, even the small things you buy. Tell your card company straight away if you suspect a fraud.
Dispose of statements or slips that contain your card details carefully and securely by shredding or tearing them up. This includes your cash machine receipts, mini statements or balance enquiries.
If you need to destroy your bank card, make sure you cut through it, including the metal chip. You can also use a shredder to destroy it.
Many thanks to the Metropolitan Police for providing this useful information and we hope this can help save you or your loved ones from becoming victims.
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