Friday my husband asked me what had I ordered from Boots. He had a message to say a Boots order had been despatched. Saturday another message to say my Boots order would be delivered Monday. This morning another one with a time it would be delivered, followed by a message saying it was left in the safe place (brown bin).
I hadn't ordered anything. T'other half never orders anything. We didn't click on any of the links. I can only assume it is a long con, expecting me to ask which brown bin, and then enter details to enable a bank account to be stripped. Our brown bins are round the back, no one has access to them.
With the approach of another Black Friday, and all the opportunities that could offer to sacammers, my bank has issued a timely warning:
" Fake emails and social media ads are on the rise
- stick to well-known retailers and head their
site by typing the full web address into a new internet tab.
- Spotted a Black Friday bargain on social media? Check out
the seller. Do they provide full contact details? Do they have good
reviews across multiple sources?
- Pay with a protected
payment method like your bank cards. Never pay via bank transfer. - Take Five to see if anything else feels unexpected
before your approve the payment.
- Don't be afraid to say no if you're unsure or suspicious of any
activity. Think
you've spotted a scam?
Call the bank on the number on the back of your card."
Don’t respond to any unexpected call, email, or text, without checking first. If it’s out of the blue, check it’s for you
If it’s a call, hang up, find a number you can trust, and call back on that
If it’s your bank, you can call back using the number on the back of your card
Or, if concerned, dial 159 to be connected securely to most UK banks
02
Stop and get a second opinion if you’re being forced to make a decision, or if you feel rushed
No legitimate organisation will object to you asking a friend, family member, or colleague for an opinion. Nor will it object to you saying no, or delaying your decision
03
Report every scam
Even if it didn’t work on you, reporting helps other people
Fraudsters gather enough information about you and convince mobile networks to move your mobile number to their device, giving them access to personal passcodes.
Purchase scams are when fraudsters target you with tempting offers on the latest phones and designer goods. These ads come across as very convincing and ask you to pay for items that will never arrive.
Romance scams occur when a criminal uses a fake online profile to form a relationship with you. Often the relationship is built up over weeks or months.
Scammers are capitalising on the growing attention cryptocurrency is attracting, by offering fake investments that don’t really exist or aren’t worth the money.
The inflation rate has been pushed to its highest level in four decades and it’s more important now than ever to be vigilant of possible fraud and scams.
Criminals impersonating the bank or police is one of the most common scams we see. It can have a devastating impact on victims so it’s vital you can spot these before it’s too late.
Targeting those who have access to their pension. People are encouraged to move their funds with the promise of better returns. These funds are then stolen.
Fraudsters advertise services online to show how you can get quick cash for cancelling a direct debit. However, these claims are false, and you’ll be left out of pocket.
Learn more about how to stay safe from fraud and scams by joining one of our online customer events. Our experts will take you through everything you need to know, and can answer any of your questions.
Had the "You have been going to Porn sites and I have downloaded images from your camera of you watching them. Pay up or I will publish" Email today. Reported it to [email protected].
Not a worry for me as I have never been on a porn site, do not have a camera on the computer and don't much care if they do publish, but it could be worrying for some folks.
Posts
" Fake emails and social media ads are on the rise
- stick to well-known retailers and head their site by typing the full web address into a new internet tab.
- Spotted a Black Friday bargain on social media? Check out the seller. Do they provide full contact details? Do they have good reviews across multiple sources?
- Pay with a protected payment method like your bank cards. Never pay via bank transfer.
- Take Five to see if anything else feels unexpected before your approve the payment.
- Don't be afraid to say no if you're unsure or suspicious of any activity.
Think you've spotted a scam?
Call the bank on the number on the back of your card."
Safe BF everyone!
How fraudsters contact you
See straight through fraud and scams. Here are the latest ways dishonest people are trying to trick you into handing over your money.
Fake telephone calls
Fraudsters call often pretending to be from the bank and encourage you to give your personal details, such as PIN and mobile banking.
Fake emails
Fraudsters send emails pretending to be from a trusted organisation but they’re asking you to give away personal information.
Text message fraud
Fraudsters send texts pretending to be from a trusted organisation telling you a payment hasn’t been made to get your information.
BBC Be Scam Safe
01
Don’t respond to any unexpected call, email, or text, without checking first. If it’s out of the blue, check it’s for you
02
Stop and get a second opinion if you’re being forced to make a decision, or if you feel rushed
03
Report every scam
For more information go to www.bbc.co.uk/bescamsafe.
See how convincing fraudsters can be
Watch our video showing some examples of fraud and scams and what to look out for.
Types of fraud
Identity fraud
Fraudsters get hold of enough personal information about you in order to impersonate you.
Social engineering
Fraudsters manipulate people so that they hand over personal information such as, passwords and banking details.
Sim swapping
Fraudsters gather enough information about you and convince mobile networks to move your mobile number to their device, giving them access to personal passcodes.
ATM & cash machine fraud
Fraudsters use cash machines to steal your data and even your credit or debit card to make fraudulent transactions
Investment fraud
Fraudsters often make promises of great returns when investing in their schemes, which often don’t exist or are worthless.
When offers are too good to be true
Purchase scams are when fraudsters target you with tempting offers on the latest phones and designer goods. These ads come across as very convincing and ask you to pay for items that will never arrive.
Types of scams
Romance scams
Romance scams occur when a criminal uses a fake online profile to form a relationship with you. Often the relationship is built up over weeks or months.
Cryptocurrency scams
Scammers are capitalising on the growing attention cryptocurrency is attracting, by offering fake investments that don’t really exist or aren’t worth the money.
Cost of living scams
The inflation rate has been pushed to its highest level in four decades and it’s more important now than ever to be vigilant of possible fraud and scams.
Impersonation scams
Criminals impersonating the bank or police is one of the most common scams we see. It can have a devastating impact on victims so it’s vital you can spot these before it’s too late.
Pension scams
Targeting those who have access to their pension. People are encouraged to move their funds with the promise of better returns. These funds are then stolen.
Get-rich-quick and refund scams
Fraudsters advertise services online to show how you can get quick cash for cancelling a direct debit. However, these claims are false, and you’ll be left out of pocket.
Sign up to our Keeping Your Money Safe event
Learn more about how to stay safe from fraud and scams by joining one of our online customer events. Our experts will take you through everything you need to know, and can answer any of your questions.
I have a dream that my.. children.. one day.. will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character
Martin Luther King