The rising cost of living is having an impact on everyone’s bills and for many people this is a worrying time. Sadly there are dishonest people who are using this to scam people into giving away their personal details, sending money or setting up direct debits to receive discounts.
There are plenty of examples of scams doing the rounds at the moment, impersonating reputable companies or organisations, claiming they can save you money … or make you more money. You may receive an email or text message, see something online or even receive a cold call.
Here are just some of the scams you might come across.
Energy scams.
There are several energy related scams doing the rounds at the moment including energy rebates, pre-paid meter scams or cheaper tariffs. All rebates will be automatic if you pay be Direct Debit. If you don’t pay by DD and have not received your rebate, contact your energy company directly. Do not use a phone number given to you in an email. If you have a pre-paid meter, you should receive vouchers from your energy provider.
Council tax rebates
With nearly every household in the country expecting a council tax rebate and additional help available to those in most need, even in higher council tax bands, everyone is a target for these scams. Like energy rebates, they are issued directly if you pay by Direct Debit. If you do not pay by DD, contact the Council directly and again, not using a number that you have been sent by text message.
Mortgage / loan scams
The increase in bank rates mean many are facing increases of £100’s per month on their mortgages or loans, so you are likely to see many scams offering cheaper rates, possibly for an upfront ‘arrangement fee’. Either stick to a legitimate building society / bank, or check the credentials of any mortgage advisor or broker. Be extra cautious if you are being asked for an upfront fee.
Non-existent jobs
Looking for a second job or other money-making opportunity to bring in extra money? Double-check the validity of advertisements and employers, as you could be at risk of revealing confidential information or losing money.
Cheap products, for example air fryers
With prices on the rise all around, be wary of discounted prices, particularly if the product is in short supply like popular gifts or money-saving products like air fryers and other energy-saving products. Be extra vigilant around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, not only for scams but also products which are actually no cheaper than any other time of year.
Postcode lottery
Fraudsters are tempting you into giving away personal documents to ‘prove your identity’ to claim a prize you’ve won in the People’s Postcode Lottery. They’re asking for a wealth of information, including a photo of your driving licence or passport, so stay alert.
Subscription scams
There are a number of subscription scams out there from the likes of Amazon, Apple and McAfee. Often you will receive an email that you are not expecting for a service you may or may not have signed up for. The email will look authentic and may say that your account has been suspended due to suspicious activity with a link that will probably take you to an authentic looking website to resolve the issue, but they are just trying to get you to give up your personal details and passwords.
Fake Giveaways
Watch out for FAKE emails about the chance to win a £1000 supermarket voucher. The scam entices you to click on a link to confirm your details, but it will take you to a fake site designed to steal your personal details.
Bank Scams
A new bank scam is circulating to trick HSBC customers into giving away sensitive details. A malicious text message coming from a user PASSCODE with a One Time Passcode (OTP) for a payment you have not made. The message says “If this wasn’t you, call us immediately on ….”. The telephone number is obviously a fake and will connect you to a scammer. Never call a number that has been given to you in a text message. Always look for the correct bank number on their website or the back of your bank code.
It’s easy to let your guard down, particularly if you see an unbelievable deal that is expiring soon, you are due a rebate or you have won something. The scammers are waiting. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is so STOP and THINK before you act.
Remember the A,B,C – Assume nothing , Believe nobody and Check everything .
There are a number of ways you can report a scam:
- Forwarding suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk
- Forward suspicious texts to Ofcom on 7726
- Contact Action Fraud by visiting actionfraud.police.uk or calling 0300 123 2040
- Contact Crimestoppers by visiting crimestoppers-uk.org
If you believe that you have become a victim of an online scam and would like some help, contact Victim Support by visiting victimsupport.org.uk
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Getsafeonline.org has lots of advice about online safety at
https://www.getsafeonline.org
They also have a handy tool to check out whether a website is likely to be legitimate or fraudulent, at https://www.getsafeonline.org/checkawebsite/
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If you would like to receive more information about scams into your email box, you can sign up to the National Action Fraud Alert scheme run by the City of London Police.
https://www.actionfraudalert.co.uk/
Or, you can sign up for Which? Scam Alerts …
https://act.which.co.uk/page/103781/data/1
Or sign up to West Sussex County Staying Safe Online E-newsletter …
https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire-emergencies-and-crime/crime-prevention/staying-safe-online/
Article by Liam Dasey. Liam is one of our volunteer Digital Champions, but he is also a volunteer Digital Ambassador for West Sussex County Council and Get Safe Online, helping raise awareness about online safety in the community.
