The latest figures from Action Fraud for the month of August indicate that the telephone is still the most common method for scammers to contact their victims. The most common types of scams being reported is where people are called from someone claiming to be from the HMRC, stating the person has an outstanding debt and instructing the person to pay that debt by I-tunes vouchers. Similar scams also include the caller claiming to be from Microsoft/BT/Talk Talk etc and claiming they have identified a problem with the persons computer. They then ask the victim to download a piece of software which allows the scammers access to the victims computer and invariably their bank details.
Remember the only way to eliminate cold calling is to purchase a call blocking device or a new phone that has call blocking features. It is essential!!
The next highest category is frauds and scams involving auction sites (ebay, Gumtree etc). Be suspicious of any potential seller asking you to send money via direct bank transfer and not through PayPal. You have no protection if it goes wrong. be also suspicious of emails purporting to be from PayPal advising that advance payment is needed.
PCSOs and Cyber volunteers are giving numerous presentations throughout the county on frauds and scams which are well worth attending and may just give you that bit of knowledge to prevent you becoming a victim. If you are a member of a community group who think your members would benefit from a presentation, please email the force’s ‘Financial Abuse safeguarding Officer’ [email protected].
Take this small test to see if you are ‘too smart to be scammed’https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/takethetest/
And, please find attached information from Action Fraud in relation to a current TV Licence scam.
To see a list of previously sent messages please visit North Yorkshire Community Messaging.