FAKE PARCEL DELIVERY TEXTS ARE THE TOP SMISHING SCAM

Parcel and package delivery scams are the most prevalent type of ‘smishing’ text messages, according to new data provided to UK Finance by cybersecurity company Proofpoint. Proofpoint operates the 7726 text message system on behalf of mobile phone operators, which allows customers to report suspicious texts. The numbers 7726 on a keypad spell out the word ‘SPAM’. Smishing is a technique that criminals use to target … Continued

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HOLIDAYMAKERS AND FESTIVALGOERS URGED TO BE VIGILANT FROM SCAMS AS LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS EASE

Fraudsters are poised to target the British public with ticketing, travel and health insurance scams as consumers look to book in much-needed social activities as lockdown restrictions ease, warns UK Finance. The scam alert comes as the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign publishes guidance below on how consumers can protect themselves in the lead-up to further easing of lockdown restrictions from 17 May. With many people booking holidays and tickets to concerts and summer festivals, criminals are … Continued

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CRIMINALS EXPLOIT COVID-19 PANDEMIC WITH RISE IN SCAMS TARGETING VICTIMS ONLINE

Criminals used the Covid-19 pandemic to target victims online, through impersonation scams, romance fraud and investment scams. UK Finance is calling for new legislation to make online platforms responsible for taking down fraudulent content and better protect consumers from these scams. In 2020, Authorised Push Payment (APP)3 fraud losses amounted to £479 million, up five … Continued

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ROMANCE SCAMS ON THE UP DURING LOCKDOWN

UK Finance is today urging the public to be vigilant and look out for friends and family to help keep them safe from romance scams this Valentine’s Day. New data from UK Finance reveals a 20 per cent increase in bank transfer romance fraud between January and November 2020 compared to the previous year, with … Continued

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SCAM ALERT: UK FINANCE WARNS PUBLIC TO BEWARE OF PARCEL DELIVERY SCAMS IN RUN UP TO CHRISTMAS

UK Finance is warning consumers to be vigilant against criminals looking to defraud them by posing as parcel delivery companies, as more people across the country are expected to shop online this Christmas than ever before. Intelligence from UK Finance suggests that criminals are sending out phishing emails, purportedly from well-known delivery companies, which claim … Continued

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SCAM ALERT: ARCADIA GROUP* IN ADMINISTRATION & DEBENHAMS CESSATION OF TRADING

Consumers should be vigilant of criminals attempting to use the Arcadia Group being placed into administration and Debenhams being liquidated as an opportunity to trick people into revealing personal or financial information. Criminals will often use the publicity around these sorts of events as a chance to pose as a genuine organisation, including banks, police … Continued

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SCAM ALERT: CONSUMERS WARNED OF ONLINE SCAMS AHEAD OF BLACK FRIDAY

With Black Friday and Christmas approaching, criminals are again stepping up their efforts to take advantage of consumers searching for bargains. Social media platforms, online market places and auction websites are increasingly used by criminals to carry out these purchase scams, where a customer pays in advantage for goods or services that are never received. … Continued

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Scam warning: Criminals may purport to be from Take Five, using our official branding on websites, social media posts, literature, on the phone or by text. Take Five doesn’t provide endorsement or approval for any products/services and would never call or text anyone.