Scams

The Pensions Regulator has repeated its warning about scams after a report showed more than £5m has been lost to fraud since February.

https://www.ftadviser.com/pensions/2020/06/08/regulator-repeats-anti-scam-warning-as-5m-lost-to-fraud/

The next step of the UK’s battle against coronavirus has been rolled out, months after it was abandoned because the system couldn’t cope with the influx of cases. Contact tracing, where anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 is quizzed about their recent movements, and people who have been in close proximity with them are contacted and told to self-isolate, has been launched.

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/nhs-track-and-trace-scams

North Wales Police are urging people to be vigilant amid concerns that the new coronavirus track and trace system will be exploited by fraudsters.

The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has warned that scammers “thrive” in the current pandemic environment after figures from ActionFraud showed £5.1m has been lost to fraud since February.

https://pensionsage.com/pa/Fraudsters-thriving-as-pandemic-scam-losses-top-5m.php

Track and trace scam – With the launch of the NHS test and trace service, it is likely that fraudsters may try to exploit this service by posing as contact tracers.

Householders who use off grid fuel are being urged to be on guard against fraudsters after hundreds of attempts.

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/crime/2020/06/03/householders-urged-to-be-on-guard-after-hundreds-of-fraud-bids/

The Covid-19 outbreak has forced the retail industry to adapt to different ways of operating, as physical stores and highstreets close for business and many turned to online trading to stay afloat during lockdown. Over recent months, we’ve seen certain retailers prosper and others struggle, yet all have had to alter the way they do business.

https://www.finextra.com/blogposting/18827/what-have-we-learned-about-fraud-prevention-during-the-covid-19-outbreak

People are being warned to be wary of scammers pretending to be from the NHS as coronavirus contact tracing launches in the UK.

It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book – sending a text or email pretending to be someone’s bank and hoping they’ll hand over their personal details. And at a time of national uncertainty and anxiety, with money a big concern of many amid the threat of job losses and pay cuts, people are proving more likely to fall for these scams.

https://starspost.com/do-not-click-this-link-paypal-scam-cons-woman-out-of-11000-in-phishing-attack/

Heartless doorstep criminals have scammed an elderly Buckinghamshire resident out of £20,000 for spurious roof repairs while his wife was in hospital being treated for Covid-19.

https://www.buckinghamtoday.co.uk/news/crime/scammers-conned-elderly-bucks-resident-out-ps20000-while-wife-was-hospital-coronavirus-2859575