Experts have shared six scams to avoid this summer.
As thousands of people flock to the city to take part in the Eurovision experience, everyone is being urged to remain vigilant. With various events taking place, Merseyside Police is urging people to not fall victim to a scam.
They wrote on social media: "Only buy tickets from the box office, official promoters, or a well-known ticketing website."
READ MORE: Man went to get Subway but woke to detectives at his hospital bed
According to Action Fraud, over £6.7m was lost to ticket fraud in 2022. People are being urged to stop, challenge and protect to avoid falling victim to a scam and losing a hefty sum of money.
Consumer experts at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have revealed the red flags of six money-making scams to avoid, especially with Eurovision around the corner. With tens of thousands already being targeted by scammers, this number is expected to rise further as the cost of living crisis deepens.
This is because scammers have discovered new ways to target people who are struggling more than ever amid rising living costs. According to experts, there are several scams to be aware of such as purchasing fake concert tickets and looking out for fake energy bill rebates.
John Stirzaker from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: "It’s shocking how many Brits have been approached by scammers in the last year and it’s likely this will rise even more in the next year. We’ve all heard the heartbreaking stories of people losing thousands of pounds to scammers, which is why we want to spread awareness of the ways they’re currently targeting Brits."
Here are six potential scams to be aware of, found by NetVoucherCodes.co.uk:
The “Hi Mum”
If you’ve received a text saying “Hi Mum, my phone is broken, I need to buy a new one” there’s a high chance it’s a scammer attempting to con you out of money. They’ll try using your social media to try and find out personal information about you as well as putting kisses on the end of texts to make it seem genuine. If you are worried that it is actually your child messaging you try getting in contact with them or someone they may be with first.
Fake concert tickets
With stars such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Madonna recently announcing their tour dates, many ‘sellers’ on social media have been taking advantage of the in-demand shows by selling fake tickets with a hefty price tag. If their social media page has few images, or if they’re trying to make you send money to a bank account with a different name, there’s a high chance it’s a scammer.
Giveaway scams
People who have entered social media giveaways have experienced fake profile pages attempting to contact them to collect their prize as a way to get entrants to reveal personal information. Only accept messages and prizes from the original account where you entered the giveaway.
Premium phone call charges
If you’re searching online for tech support or customer service numbers, make sure to double-check if they’re legitimate by visiting the website of the company you’re trying to reach, otherwise, it can result in a costly phone bill. Premium charges over £600 can be added to your account for spending less than a minute on the phone, even if the person at the other end seems authentic.
Free items from promoters
While many official brands often hand out giveaways on social media, there’s a rising amount of fake promoters who message to say they’re offering free clothes or items so they can get details of your address. This information is used along with your social media information to clone bank accounts or fake passports.
Fake energy bills rebate
Scammers have been taking advantage of rising energy bills by offering fake rebates to vulnerable households. If an email comes through about receiving the discount or rebate, don’t click on any link. Only look directly on the Government website to see if you’re eligible or ring up your energy supplier.
READ NEXT:
Man went to get Subway but woke to detectives at his hospital bed
Rare 50p coin sells for £410 after online bidding war
People helped out of Eurovision welcome concert amid overcrowding concerns
These are the faces of 10 criminals who were jailed this week
Primark shoppers praise 'gorgeous' £20 dress that's 'perfection'
