Cifas is urging everyone with a monthly mobile phone contract to be extra vigilant following a rise in the number of reports of criminals contacting users offering them money off their bill. But the calls are fake and designed to trick people into handing over personal and financial information.
The UK’s leading fraud prevention service understands that fraudsters have been contacting individuals claiming to be from their phone provider, advising them that they are eligible for a discount on their phone bill to help with the cost of living crisis. Victims are then asked a number of questions designed to obtain their personal information which can then be used for fraud.
Cifas is reminding mobile customers to only give your information to services you have consented to and are expecting to be contacted by. If you are unsure if a call is legitimate, then don’t be afraid to hang up and contact your service provider using details provided on any correspondence you have from them.
Anyone that thinks they have been the victim of fraud must inform their bank and report it to Police Scotland by dialling 101.
WhatsApp employment opportunities
WhatsApp users have reported receiving messages offering job opportunities with enticing hourly salaries for UK locations. Once they reply, users are then asked to pay money for work equipment or employment screening checks, as well as provide bank details or identity documents.
Cifas is warning jobseekers never to respond to adverts offering large sums of money for minimal effort, and always research potential employers by conducting their own background checks to make sure details are genuine.
For further advice, visit the Jobsaware website: www.jobsaware.co.uk.
Fraudsters impersonating financial advisors
Criminals have also been using LinkedIn and other social media platforms including TikTok and Instagram to pose as financial advisors.
These fraudsters are advising social media users to visit genuine looking websites which are designed to steal money and information from users.
Criminals have also been impersonating financial experts and using WhatsApp to offer access to cryptocurrency investment online chat groups. These groups are often populated by bots - software programmes that are fake accounts with fake personalities - rather than real people offering investment schemes promising lucrative returns on small investments.
Amber Burridge, Head of Intelligence for Cifas, said: “Always think carefully before responding to unsolicited calls, texts or emails, and remember that challenging any requests for money or personal information could keep you safe.
“If you think you’ve been the victim of fraud then you must tell your bank immediately. Only by remaining vigilant can we begin to stop criminals from exploiting the public.”
Scotland was recently named one of the worst areas in the UK for fraud as cases increased by 67 per cent in the last year, according to new research by AI and analytics leader, SAS.
The study looked at increases in fraud over the last year, based on the volume of fraud reported by police forces to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB).
According to the list, Scotland has had the biggest increase in fraud referrals - with 1,200 in November 2022, up 716 per cent from the same month in 2021.
This comes as the National Crime Agency revealed that fraud is now the ‘most commonly experienced crime in the UK’.
The areas that have seen the biggest increase in fraud referrals:
- Police Scotland - 67% rise
- Gwent - 21% rise
- City of London - 14% rise
- Durham - 13% rise
- Gloucestershire - 8% rise
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