Families looking forward to the coronation of King Charles III are being urged to look out for scammers taking advantage of the celebrations this weekend.
More than 40 million Brits were targeted by criminals in the first half of last year, with the number expected to have risen further this year as the cost of living crisis deepens. Scammers have now discovered new ways to target people who are struggling more than ever amid rising living costs and there's nothing they like more than an occasion or an event that people are likely to be searching for or trying to find out more about.
Cybersecurity experts and police have already issued warnings about dodgy websites, phishing emails and cold callers trying to take advantage of shoppers, according to consumer champion Which? as scammers attempt to take advantage of consumers looking to buy memorabilia ahead of the coronation of King Charles III.
Read more: Toys, stamps and teabags: 10 Coronation mementoes for under £25
Here's what to watch out for:
Dodgy websites and phishing emails
Cybersecurity provider Kaspersky has warned of a rise in scam websites ‘selling’ coronation memorabilia such as coins, plates and mugs. Scammers use these sites to get their hands on your personal information, such as your name, address and bank details. Stolen details may then be traded on the dark web or used to access your bank account and steal money.
Kaspersky says consumers should also be aware of dodgy emails that seek to capitalise on the coronation. These emails may contain links to websites claiming to sell coronation memorabilia in an attempt to obtain your details.
Coin scams
Hertfordshire Police has issued a warning about scammers making cold calls claiming they're selling commemorative coins. It reported that one resident came close to sending £1,600 to a fraudster before an officer intervened to stop the transfer. Don’t buy commemorative coins from unofficial sources. Official coronation coins can be purchased via the official Royal Mint website.
Be vigilant against crime
If you’re planning a celebration this weekend, it’s important to be on your guard against criminals, as major national events often coincide with an uplift in crime. Insurer LV reported a 36% year-on-year rise in thefts during last year’s Jubilee weekend., for instance.
The insurer advises homeowners to check their windows are locked, avoid discussing their plans too publicly, for example on Facebook, and try to cancel or postpone any deliveries if they’re going to be away from home for the weekend.
How to be on your guard against coronation scams
Generally, it’s best not to buy items from a company or website that you’re not familiar with – especially if you’ve been contacted out of the blue. Here's what to do if you are targeted:
Phishing websites: Look out for poor spelling and grammar, too-good-to-be-true offers and being asked to make payments via bank transfer. You should also be wary of .net or .org domains, as these are rarely used by genuine online retailers. Additionally, be suspicious of contact pages that don't list a physical address or only contain a ‘contact us’ form. Report to National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
Scam emails: Scam emails should be forwarded to report@phishing.gov.uk so they can be investigated by the NCSC. You can also report scam emails to your email provider – select ‘report spam’ on Gmail, ‘report phishing’ on Hotmail or forward emails to abuse@yahoo.com from a Yahoo account. If you've divulged any personal details, change your passwords. Most importantly, contact your bank immediately if you’ve given away any financial information. If you’ve fallen victim to a scam, you can report it to Action Fraud.
Cold calls: If you receive a cold call from somebody trying to sell you commemorative items, hang up and block the number. Callers can be very convincing with their claims that items are rare or highly collectable, but take these claims with a pinch of salt and only buy items from official sources.
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