Weekly Fraud Update From West Mercia Police – Economic Crime Unit – 13/02/2024 [#217509174]
PHISHING SCAMS
One of the commonest scams online is the Phishing Scam. Luckily your email service may have already consigned them to “Spam” or “Junk” so they are quite obvious.
However, some may enter your Inbox claiming to be from well-known Brands and Retailers offering tempting offers, discounts, vouchers or rewards at the click of a mouse.
Many of these are prevalent at the moment but as ever, check the sender’s email address, look for the spelling and grammatical errors, and never, never click on the tempting links.
As highlighted many times before in these messages, if it looks too good to be true, then it is too good to be true.
STOP! THINK FRAUD
This week the UK Government has launched its new Fraud Awareness Campaign. In the coming weeks this will be heavily publicised in the media, billboards and via financial institutions.
If you want to learn more about the scheme meantime go to:
https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk/
Please feel free to share this information with any family, friends, neighbours.
Take Five to Stop Fraud
STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud
ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Avoid disclosing security details
Emails, Phone Calls and Texts may not be authentic
Always make direct contact with any organisation by using a genuine phone number
Stop and Challenge any unexpected requests
Protect others by reporting Fraud and Scams
If you’ve fallen for a scam, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk
Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks.
Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk
If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number – 159 – to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks.
