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There are many sources of advice and help regarding Fraud and Scams. Here are some - click on them to find more. Let us know if you have found good sources that are not appearing here and you think would be useful to include.
Rogue Traders
Better chance of securing a reputable trader - click here:
Cold Calling
By phone - if you have a phone that shows the number calling, but you don’t recognise the number, answer with caution. If the caller is offering services, asking for money, claiming to be from a bank, the police, the tax office, etc., take the caller’s name, number and company/organisation details say you’ll check them out; if the caller is genuine, he/she will be happy with this. NEVER reveal your own personal details and NEVER a password in full.
At your door - have a door chain fixed, and if you are alone always open the door with the chain in place. Cold selling should be told politely that you are not interested; of the caller is from a legitimate charity, politely ask them to leave if you don’t want to talk with them - but never let the person in if you are alone.
Bogus ‘officials’
Some callers may be bogus ‘officials’ - pretending to be from a utility company, charity - or even the police. Double check the person’s identity, and if you’re alone ask the person to call back when you can have someone with you.
Unsolicited postal mail
Even in this IT age, you can still receive dodgy snail mail. If an offer seems too good, it probably is!
Help and advice
There are many sources of advice and help regarding Fraud and Scams. Here are some - click on them to find more. Let us know if you have found good sources that are not appearing here and you think would be useful to include.
Investment frauds and scams
There are unscrupulous people around who will try to take your money - your savings, investments, pension pots, etc. Never deal with out-of-the-blue/cold calling invitations to invest - and if it sounds so good to be true, it’s likely to be a scam that will rip you off.
Malicious emails
Beware of emails with hyperlinks - especially from sources you’re not sure about: these might be traps for invading your computer or for stealing your personal information.
Courier and fake deliveries scams
And there’s a new scam - someone might claim to have attempt to deliver something to you, but you haven’t ordered anything! They may try to ask you for money for them to take the item away - or they may ask you to look after the item so that someone can collect it later. Never do this and if in double call the police - and tell them you’re calling 999.
And there’s more: you may receive an email asking for a small payment for a re-delivery AND THEN you receive a phone call ostensibly from your bank saying the you have been frauded and that you should change your account and transfer your money into it. Only, this may not be from your bank but part of the same fraud - you end up paying all your money into a fake account so the fraudsters can suck it away quickly.
Phone ID spoofing
Many phones - and smart phones - will show the phone number or ID of someone calling you. BUT there are growing cases of fraudsters changing their IDs to mimic a legitimate company such as a bank. They’ll do this to try to get you to reveal your bank account details, credit card details, passwords, etc.
NEVER give out your bank details, passwords, etc., to an in-coming call.
DO NOT reply solely on the Caller ID to identify your caller.
If you receive a call from someone asking for your bank information etc., HANG UP and ring your bank, credit card company, etc., using the number on your statement.
More information from
www.ofcom.org.uk
And go to Phones and Internet.
