Three scams to watch out for – and how to beat them

Introduction

Ensuring your savings are safe is at the heart of everything we do. Unfortunately, fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated - using convincing messages, phone calls, and even fake investment opportunities to trick people into handing over their hard-earned money.

Knowing what to look out for can make all the difference. To coincide with International Fraud Week, we highlight the most common scams doing the rounds right now, and how you can stay one step ahead.

Online shopping

Latest research by Citizens Advice has revealed that more than 7m adults have been targeted by a scam in the past year, with a huge 26% of this attributed to online shopping fraud alone¹.

Fraudsters are increasingly creating fake websites to sell counterfeit goods (such as tech, designer clothes and even cars) and using phishing emails to drive people to them. These appear to be reputable, but they are set up to steal payments and/or personal information. The items on sale appear to be genuine but are sold at rock bottom prices – then once they have your money you either don’t receive what you ordered or a counterfeit/lower value item.

How to protect yourself:

• Be suspicious of “too good to be true” deals or low prices.
• Verify the website – check for the padlock icon in the address bar, and type the website name directly into a search if concerned.
• Verify the money has reached your account before selling any items. Don’t rely on email or message notifications.
• Use secure payment methods such as a credit card or PayPal so you’re protected, and don’t share sensitive information, pin numbers or passwords.
• Report anything suspicious immediately to your bank or credit card company, and to Action Fraud.
• Citizens Advice have more guidance on recognising a scam.

Courier fraud

This occurs where fraudsters pretend to be a police officer or bank official, and dupe people into handing over money, bank cards, or valuables such as jewellery, which are then collected from their home address by couriers. They use a variety of tactics, including claiming there are issues with your account, or they need help catching criminals and ask you to be part of an undercover operation.

Data from the City of London Police and Action Fraud revealed that more than £28.7m was lost to courier fraud between 2023-2024². During a two week “intensification period” by the force to target these crimes, the majority (70%) of offences involved criminals pretending to be the police and in 22% of cases they pretended to be from their bank.

Approximately 85% of victims were aged 60-90 years old (31.5% were in their 70s and 33% were in their 80s). The oldest victim was 94 years old.

How to protect yourself:

• Your bank or the police will never call to ask you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone or offer to pick up your card by courier. If you get a call like this, hang up and call back using a trusted number.
• Consider installing a “call blocker” device, which filters unwanted scam and nuisance calls, and only allows trusted numbers to get through. Find out more at www.truecall.co.uk.
• Report anything suspicious immediately to your bank or credit card company, and to Action Fraud.

Sim-swap scams

An increasing number of cyber-criminals are hijacking mobile phone numbers by tricking the network provider into transferring it to a device they control. They use particularly sophisticated methods, researching potential victims through social media and public records, or impersonating the mobile phone provider to gather personal details about them.

This enables them to intercept security codes sent via text message and bypass two-factor authentication on banking apps, social media accounts, and email.

The fraudsters then use this information to steal bank details and purchase items online, racking up debts. They can also apply for a bank loan, cancel holidays to be “refunded” or even steal wages.

Such incidents increased by 1000% between 2023 and 2024, according to Action Fraud³.

How to protect yourself:

• Secure your mobile account by asking your mobile service provider to set up a carrier level PIN or password which must be provided before using a new sim.
• Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your email, social media and bank accounts. Passkeys are best, and are supported by Apple, Microsoft, Google and Samsung.
• Regularly check bank statements, emails and social media accounts for anything suspicious, and report it immediately.
• Be aware and alert for any notifications about your Sim being ported or a PAC request, or if you lose network service for no reason.
• The Met Police have more advice on how to protect yourself.

Tips from our team

We asked some our Kent Reliance branch colleagues the ways customers could protect themselves.

Phoebe from our Canterbury branch said: “Think twice before opening any text links or, if you’re unsure about a call, hang up. Also, no one should make you feel pressured into doing anything with your finances. We have ‘support markers’ that we can add on to a customer’s profile if they are concerned about fraud, which may make them feel more secure. Other providers may offer this as well.”

Anena from the Chatham branch advises following the recommendations around passwords: “It’s really important to make sure that passwords and memorable words are kept somewhere safe (not written down) and if you’re not sure about what you’re being told, go into branch or pick up the phone and talk to someone.”

Angela from our Chatham branch agrees, saying: “If you get any calls don’t give any details. Put the phone down, and call the company back on a verified number. Don’t click on any links in text messages or emails – go directly to your account. Fraudsters are getting smarter, but we do have checks in place to protect your accounts.”

How we protect you

Our dedicated Fraud Hub has details of the most common scams we’re seeing across the industry, as well as helpful tools and tips to keep yourself alert and informed.

Remember, we’ll never ask you to provide passcodes, ID information or your online login details over the phone, nor will we ask you to move your money to any other account or ask for details regarding any of your other accounts.

Are you scam-savvy? Take this quick quiz.

1. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/millions-stung-by-scams-with-online-shopping-the-top-trap-says-citizens/

2. More than £28.7 million lost to courier fraudsters in the last year, with people in their 80s the most likely to be targeted | City of London Police

3. https://www.experian.co.uk/blogs/latest-thinking/fraud-prevention/uk-fraud-and-fincrime-report/

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