Scams

Residents across the South are being warned to be vigilant following an increase in coronavirus-related scams. It comes as members of the public are self-isolating, often leaving older and vulnerable people alone at home.

https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2020-03-26/public-warned-to-be-vigilant-after-increase-in-covid-19-scams/

Criminals are using the coronavirus pandemic to scam people out of their money and personal information, multiple agencies have warned.

https://www.ardrossanherald.com/news/national-news/18331935.spot-avoid-covid-19-fraud/?ref=twtrec

LONDON, March 24 (Reuters) - UK banks are stepping up fraud prevention measures to protect customers from scammers eager to exploit the coronavirus pandemic with a whole range of new tricks, including fake sales of medical supplies and bogus government relief schemes.

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/uk-banks-scramble-protect-customers-135209627.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=tw

A conman boasted about his fake exploits in the British Army to swindle thousands of pounds from a pensioner in a bogus gardening scam.

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/crime/edinburgh-man-lied-about-serving-army-swindle-victim-out-ps16000-bogus-gardening-scam-2504907

Councils are warning people to beware of scammers pretending to be health officials or offering to pick up food and medicines.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51964507

The world’s largest social network platforms and their parent companies have issued a joint statement, promising to counter coronavirus-themed fraud and curb misinformation on their platforms.

https://www.scmagazineuk.com/social-media-platforms-parent-companies-join-forces-counter-covid-19-scare/article/1677346

More than £1 billion is estimated to have been lost to bank transfer scams in just three years, according to Which?

Police have issued fraud prevention advice against coronavirus related scams, as they warn more fraudsters will capitalise on public fears about the pandemic as it spreads.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/14/police-issue-fraud-advice-protect-public-coronavirus-scams/

FRAUDSTERS are cashing in on coronavirus fears, and have reportedly made up to £800,000 in scams this month (March).

The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), alongside the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) and the Association of British Insurers (ABI), are warning the public to take caution when looking up their insurer’s details after a collision. Increasing evidence shows dodgy claims management firms are using search engine ad results to misrepresent insurers, hi-jack claims for referrals fees and potentially leave road traffic victims out of pocket. 

https://insurancefraudbureau.org/media-centre/news/2020/beware-click-to-call-insurer-ads/