Lesser known scam types

Computer Software Service Fraud

Criminals may cold call you claiming there are problems with your computer and they can help you to solve them. They will often use the names of well known companies such as Microsoft or Apple, they may even use the name of your broadband provider to sound more legitimate.

How the Computer Software Service scam works

The criminals will ask you to complete various actions on your device, including downloading a Remote Access Tool. The remote access tool gives them complete access to everything on your computer

• A genuine computer company will never call you out of the blue regarding issues with your computer – hang up straight away
• Never allow anyone to remotely access your device
• If you are having issues with a device contact the retailer you purchased it from. Employ a reliable local computer specialist who will be able to help you. Use our Trader Approval Scheme to find a computer specialist
• If it's problems with your broadband, contact your supplier directly to resolve the issue.
• If you do inadvertently follow a scammers advice as soon as you realise, close down your device and contact your bank. Go to a computer specialist who can clean your device, check it for viruses and make sure that anything that has been downloaded is removed

Courier Fraud

Fraudsters cold call you pretending to be from your bank or the police. They claim there is an issue with your bank account or request your assistance with an ongoing bank or police investigation. They will claim that the investigation involves corrupt bank employees or the police and they need your help to catch them or persuade you that your account is at risk. If they convince you they are genuine.

How the Courier Fraud scam works

• They will persuade you to go to your bank and withdraw a large sum of money which they will collect from you as “evidence” in the investigation 
• They may do the same with foreign currency. They will claim it is an undercover operation involving the bank and police so you mustn’t tell the staff why you are withdrawing large sums of cash, they may even provide you with a reason to tell the cashier 
• They may tell you to provide details over the phone, including typing in your PIN then handing over your cards to a courier or purchase items like gift cards and reassure you that you will be reimbursed
• Be wary of all unsolicited calls but especially those from your bank or the police. End the call and then leave it a while before calling your bank using a number you have found or you can dial 159 and then select the number that corresponds to your bank who will confirm if they have tried to call you. You can also call the police on 101
• Speak to friends or family before following any instructions

Never hand over money, cards or make purchases following an unexpected call

Never share your PIN with anyone.

Push Payment Fraud

Online banking makes managing money easier for us all, especially with banks closing local branches. However criminals are taking advantage of this and using it to defraud us

How the push payment fraud scam works

• Criminals will pretend to be from somewhere official such as your bank, tax office or the police. They will warn you of suspicious or criminal activity on your account, they may say that they are investigating a member of the banks staff and will say they have set up a safe account for you to transfer the funds into. Don't believe them this will be their own account!
• Be suspicious of any call out of the blue from someone claiming to be in a position of authority
• Take down the details of the person calling you and verify using your own independent contact details
• Genuine officials from any organisations will never ask you to verify any personal banking details, password or PIN or threaten you with arrest
• Never transfer money into another account unless you are 100% sure of the account owner
• Your bank will never set up a “safe” account for you

Banks have many processes in place to protect us and our money. If the bank challenges you when transferring or withdrawing money give it serious consideration. If this does turn out to be a scam you may be less likely to get a refund from the bank if you have ignored their warnings.

If you do fall victim to a scam contact the bank as soon as possible, they may even be able to stop the transfer.

Investment Fraud

Criminals will persuade you to invest in all types of products including virtual currency, wine, rare metals, gemstones, land and alternative energy.

How the investment fraud scam works

• Often initial investments will yield small returns to encourage you to invest more money, however when you try to gain access to your money you will be met with excuses or threats of a penalty charge for early withdrawal. Eventually the fraudster will cut off all communication with you and your money will be gone.
• These criminals are well organised and may have details of previous investments you have made, or shares you have purchased.
• The fraudsters may direct you to attractive websites or glossy brochures, these do not prove they are a genuine company. Even registering with Companies House (a relatively easy process) is no guarantee of a genuine company. Prestigious addresses are often used by criminals in an attempt to appear credible however again it is relatively easy to rent a virtual office space.
• Be also wary of companies that offer to recover any investments that you may have lost to investment scams, they may be linked to the company that defrauded you in the first place – this is known as Recovery Fraud
• If something sounds too good to be true – it probably is!

Genuine investment companies will never cold call you – be wary of anyone who does.

Before investing check the Financial Conduct Authority Register to see if the firm or individual you are dealing with is authorised along with the FCA Warning List of firms to avoid

Do your research and speak to Trading Standards if you have concerns

Advance Fee Fraud

This is an umbrella term to describe a particular fraud type where the criminal convinces a victim to make up front payments for goods, services or financial gains that don’t exist

• Clairvoyant or Psychic Fraud – The criminal predicts something significant in your future our offers support at a difficult time (for a fee)
• Recovery Fraud – Once you’ve been a victim of fraud the criminals contact you claiming that they can recover your losses for a fee (the original fraud may have taken place years previously)
• Inheritance Fraud – The criminal tells you that you’re in line to receive a huge inheritance but you’ll need to pay a fee to release the funds
• Lottery Fraud – You’re told you’ve won a prize in a lottery but you need to pay an admin fee to claim your money
• Rental Fraud – The criminal asks for an upfront fee to rent a property which may not be theirs, or even may not exist
• 419 Fraud – the criminal asks for help moving a large sum of money from one country to another promising to cut you in but asks for money up front
• Be extremely wary about giving money to anyone upfront, especially a stranger, for any reason.

If somebody claims to be an official carry out your own independent checks. Speak with a family member or friend for their thoughts.

Never be pressured into making a decision in that moment . Always take time to think.

Scam mail generally takes the form of Advance Fee Fraud (see above), the letter will be personalised to you. In the case of a lottery scam they will use words like guaranteed winner, photographs of how previous winners have spent their money, in all cases they will ask for a fee to claim your prize. This may be advertised as a delivery or admin cost. They will also try to obtain your personal details such as bank account or date of birth.

How the scam mail works

Be wary of letters offering discounted goods or samples, always check the small print as you may be entering a contract and agreeing to a direct debit without realising. They will ask for your card details for postage and then use this to take regular payments from your account

• You cannot win a competition or lottery you haven’t entered! If you are asked to pay an upfront fee for a win do not pay
• If you purchase goods in response to a mail offer keep an eye on your bank accounts to ensure that money isn’t taken without your permission. These contracts can be very difficult to cancel, you may have to cancel the payment card or direct debit that the payments are being taken from

Romance Scams

Dating online has become increasingly popular with millions of people finding new relationships online. Unfortunately amongst the genuine profiles are fake profiles set up by fraudsters. They use deceit and manipulation, playing on vulnerability and emotions to steal your money.

How a romance scam works

Romance frauds happen when the victim thinks they’ve met the perfect partner through an online dating website or application (app), but the other person is using a fake profile to form a relationship with them. They’re using the site to gain the victim’s trust and ask them for money or enough personal information to steal their identity. They don’t just use dating apps, these types of fraudsters can be found in online gaming chat rooms and social media as well.

Fraudsters use very flattering language appearing really interested in their victim in a short space of time and will take the time to groom them and convince them that they are in a relationship. However, they will always find an excuse not to meet in person such as they are stuck overseas, family emergency or an issue with their business. It is then that they will start asking for money to help with their problems, providing a believable way of repaying you. They may seem desperate to meet up, but in reality their only desire is to take as much money as they can.

• Keep all communication on the dating website or app you are using
• Don’t be convinced by profile pictures, they may have been taken from the internet. You can check photos by googling reverse image search online
• Do some investigation on the person. Are they members of other social networking sites? Can you confirm any information about them?
• Never send money to anyone you haven’t met in person. Be extremely wary of giving money to someone who you have just started a new relationship with
• Never receive money for somebody and send it on to a third party. This is money laundering and is a criminal offence
• Never take out a loan for them
• Never give them copies of your personal documents, such as passport or driving licence
• Never invest your own money on their behalf or their advice

The scammer will ask you lots of questions to find out as much about you as they can, but will reveal very little about themselves in return.

Even if the person you are in a relationship with asks you to keep it a secret (which they will because they don’t want anyone putting any doubt in your mind) talk to friends and family about it.