Scam Awareness Month

July 2016 was scams awareness month and each week we highlighted a real life story to help make you more scam aware.

If you would like to share a story then please email us.

If you would like to know more about staying safe online then why not come to one of our FREE digital training sessions.

You can report scams or suspected scams to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or click on the logo below to report online.
Click to read our press coverage in the Leighton Buzzard Observer

Week 4

The lady was doing her usual online banking, when a pop up box appeared. It said she hadn’t changed her memorable information recently, so it needed to be updated.

She wanted to be able to continue using online banking and so completed some new details in the box. Shortly afterwards, she realised that all the money from her account had been taken out.

Thieves are able to steal money in this way, by previously planting viruses in the computer. When someone then logs on to a bank’s website, the virus comes to life and produces a pop-up box, making them think the bank are asking for the information.

Luckily, in this instance, the bank reimbursed the lady. Banks say they will never ask for information in pop-up boxes, so beware if one appears on your computer screen.

Keep your anit-virus software up to date too, so that it minimises the risk of having your personal information stolen.

Week 3

A client saw a vehicle on eBay and made contact with the seller. He felt that it was just what he was looking for and so was willing to purchase if for just over £3000. The seller told him that the value was over the auction site’s normal payment limit and so he had to do a bank transfer instead.

They gave him the bank details and he arranged to transfer the money to this account. Sadly, not only did he not get the car, but he never saw the money again as the seller was operating a scam.

eBay does not have a “payment limit” and you should always use PayPal for eBay transactions which offers protection if something goes wrong.

For other types of purchase try to always pay by debit or credit card so that you have psome protection against fraud.

If you do decide to pay by bank transfer make sure you trust the other party.

Has something like this happened to you?

Week 2

A lady received an email from an organisation that said they’d realised her card had expired.  They warned that, as it was the only payment method for her account, if she didn’t provide them with up to date card information, the service would cease.  They provided a link for her to update the details and also how she could add a new card.

In this instance, the lady didn’t use the services of the organisation in question, so could easily spot it was a scam.  But if they’d used as more common company name, it could have been very different and she could have lost a lot of money.

If you are asked for bank details from an email be cautious and go to the company’s official website to update your details. Has something like this happened to you?

Week 1

An 80 year old lady was cold called on the telephone but they stopped when she told them she was with the Telephone Preference Service.

A few days later, she had a call pretending to be from the Telephone Preference Service, telling her she needed to renew her subscription. She was wise enough to know that the service is free, so realised that the caller was trying to scam her out of her bank details to steal her money.

Luckily she didn’t fall for it, but it can be easy to step into the scammers traps as they can sound very convincing.

Never give bank details over the phone to someone who has rung you out of the blue. Has something like this happened to you?