Scams

THE most common scams targeting small and medium-sized businesses - and how to avoid them - have been highlighted in the fifth instalment of our cost of living campaign with NatWest.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/five-scams-business-owners-watch-144000981.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=tw&tsrc=twtr

Essex Police have warned customers of the energy company British Gas of a new scam that could cost them hundreds of pounds. Essex Police tweeted an alert on Friday, November 4, saying: "An email appearing to be from British Gas, offering a refund for overpaying in 2020-21.

https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/essex-police-warn-british-gas-7787535?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

Young professionals trying to make and save money to cope with the soaring cost of living are at risk of being exploited by scams, banks have warned.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63399127

Police are urging people who sell items online to remain vigilant following an increase in reports of banking fraud. Between July and October, a number of reports were received of buyers using a fake banking app, which makes it look like money has been transferred when it has not.

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/buyers-using-fake-banking-app-25370138?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

A more joined-up approach is needed across the banking industry and other sectors to “break the spell” of scammers, according to Santander UK.

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/santander-seeks-more-banking-checks-230100269.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=tw&tsrc=twtr

Dorset Police is urging the public to remain vigilant following an increasing number of reports of scams involving WhatsApp messenger.

The unsuspecting WhatsApp user receives a message on WhatsApp purporting to be from a family member in need of urgent help.

HMRC is urging Self Assessment customers to be alert to fraudsters and scams that ask for their personal information or bank details.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/self-assessment-customers-could-be-a-target-for-fraudsters-hmrc-warns

Flintshire residents are being warned to watch out for fake text messages claiming to be from the Government, inviting people to apply for the £400 energy bill support.

https://www.deeside.com/number-of-scam-texts-targeting-400-energy-bill-support-on-the-increase/

As the UK grapples with its cost-of-living crisis, scammers are taking advantage of people’s increased financial vulnerability.

https://www.forbes.com/uk/advisor/personal-finance/2022/10/13/five-scams-beware-2022/

Outseer, the leader in payment authentication and monitoring solutions, has today released a new study that finds £95 is reported lost to fraudsters every second in the UK.

https://www.finextra.com/pressarticle/94384/95-lost-to-scammers-every-second-in-the-uk