Scams Information and Advice

New! Scams Easy Read Booklet

This booklet was made by Lewisham Speaking Up on behalf of the Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board.

Read and download the Scams Easy Read Booklet

What is Fraud

Fraud is when a person lies to you, or ‘scams’ you, to gain an advantage, such as taking your money or learning private information about you.

This could be by email, text, phone or in person, either on the street or on your doorstep.

Criminals are turning to more sophisticated ways to take your money, whether through online offers, emails or telephone calls.

Scams affect the lives of millions of people across the UK. People who are scammed often experience shame and social isolation as a result.

With a little knowledge you can protect yourself from fraudsters.

Watch out for Scams like these

Banking Fraud
Cash Machine Fraud
Cheque Scam
Holiday Fraud
Identity Theft

Online shopping Fraud

Watch this video from the Metropolitan Police Service on online shopping fraud

Impersonation Fraud

Watch this video from the Metropolitan Police Service on Impersonation Fraud

Investment Fraud

Investing in stocks and shares or any other commodity can be a successful way of making money. However, it can also lead to people losing their entire life savings. Fraudsters will persuade you to invest in all kinds of products. They will offer you high rates of return, particularly over longer periods of time, which often do not exist.

Common products that will be offered include binary options, virtual currency, carbon credits, wine, rare metals, gemstones, land and alternative energy. Often, initial investments will yield small returns as an incentive to invest further funds. However, larger investments or cashing out will be met with excuses or a penalty charge. Eventually contact with the fraudster will be impossible and all funds and bogus returns lost.

Fraudsters are organised and they may have details of previous investments you have made or shares you have purchased. Knowing this information does not mean they are genuine.

Criminals may direct you to well-presented websites or send you glossy marketing material. These resources do not prove they are a genuine company. Many fraudulent companies have a polished customer image to cover their illegal activities.

It is relatively easy to register a company with Companies House. This does not confirm or endorse that they can provide genuine investments. Indeed, emerging investment markets may be unregulated, making these open to abuse.

Invoice and Mandate Fraud
Payment in Advance Fraud
Purchase Scam

Companies may be registered at prestigious addresses, for example Canary Wharf or Mayfair. This does not mean they operate from there. It is an accepted business practice to rent such a virtual office to enhance a business’s status. However, fraudsters are also aware of this and exploit it. The fraudster may put pressure on you by offering a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ or claim the deal has to be done quickly to maximise profit.

In addition - be wary of companies that offer to ‘recover’ any funds you have lost to any sort of investment scam. They may be linked to the company who initially defrauded you in the first place and may be targeting you again. This is known as ‘Recovery Fraud’.

How to protect yourself

There are no get rich quick schemes. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Genuine investment companies will not cold call you. Be extremely wary of anyone who does.
Research both what you have been offered, and the investment company. Speak to Trading Standards if you have concerns.
Before investing, check the Financial Conduct Authority register to see if the firm or individual you are dealing with is authorised (https://register.fca.org.uk/)
Check the FCA Warning List of firms to avoid.

REMEMBER - Don’t be pressured into making a quick decision.

CAUTION - Seek independent financial advice before committing to any investment.

THINK - Why would a legitimate investment company call me out of the blue?

Rental Fraud

Sometimes, criminals advertise properties to rent when these properties don’t belong to them, or even don’t exist! Victims are then tricked into paying an upfront fee to rent the property.

In reality, the property does not exist, has already been rented out, or has been rented to multiple victims at the same time. The victim loses the upfront fee they have paid and is not able to rent the property they thought they had secured with the payment. Rental fraudsters often target students looking for university accommodation.

How to Protect Yourself

Do not send money to anyone advertising rental properties online until you are certain the advertiser is genuine.
If you need to secure accommodation in the UK from overseas, seek the help of the employer or university you are coming to, or get a friend, contact or relative to check the property exists and is available.
Do not pay any money until you or a reliable contact has visited the property with an agent or the landlord.
Ask for copies of tenancy agreements and any safety certificates such as Gas Electricity or HMO Licence.
Do not be pressurised into transferring large sums of money. Transfer funds to a bank account having obtained the details by contacting the landlord or agent directly after the above steps have been followed. Be sceptical if you’re asked to transfer any money via a money transfer service like Western Union.

Romance and Dating Fraud

Dating online is now one of the most popular ways for new couples to meet, with millions of people finding new relationships, romance and love this way. Unfortunately, amongst the genuine profiles are fake profiles set up by fraudsters. They are after your money, not your love. They are masters of manipulation, playing on your good nature and emotions to ultimately steal your money.

Criminals will build a relationship with online members, quickly asking to move communication off the dating website. This is so they can continue their contact with you, even if their profile is later identified by the site as fraudulent and subsequently deleted.

Fraudsters are often very flattering, appearing really interested in you within a short space of time. However, they will use a range of excuses as to why they can’t meet in person, such as they are stuck overseas, have a family emergency or have an issue with their business. They then start asking for money to help with their problems, assuring you they will pay it back as soon as they can. The fraudster may claim to be desperate to meet you as soon as this obstacle is overcome. This is all a scam and their true intention is to take as much money from you as they can.

How to Protect Yourself

Stay on site.
Keep all communication on the dating website you are using. Don’t be convinced by profile pictures, they may have been taken from somewhere else on the internet. You can check photos using a reverse image search on the internet through websites like https://www.tineye.com or https://reverse.photos
Do your own research on the person – are they members of any other social networking sites? Can you confirm what they are telling you about themselves, such as where they work or where they live?
Never send money to someone you have not met in person and be extremely wary of giving money to someone you have recently started a relationship with.
Be wary of anyone asking you to receive money on their behalf and transfer it on. They may be using you to launder money.
Talk to family and friends for advice, even if the other party is asking you to keep the relationship secret.
Watch Metropolitan Police's video on Romance Fraud

REMEMBER - Stay on site! Never send money to someone you have not met in person, or receive/ transfer money on their behalf.

CAUTION - Be wary of continuing the relationship away from the dating website you initially made contact on.

THINK - Why are they so quick to declare their love for me? How do I know they are telling me the truth?

Doorstep Crime and Scams

Stop and think

Remember:

Your bank, the police, or tax office will never ask you to attend your bank, withdraw, transfer or pay money over the phone or send couriers to collect your card or cash. Nor would they ask you to buy goods or vouchers.

This is a scam.

Hang up (Never give details or money following a cold call)

Take 5 (Seek a second opinion, tell someone what has happened)

Verify (if concerned, contact the company via a pre-confirmed method)

Friends Against Scams is a National Trading Standards (NTS) Scams Team initiative, which aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering communities to "Take a Stand Against Scams".

Friends Against Scams has been created to tackle the lack of scams awareness by providing information about scams and those who fall victim to them. This information enables communities and organisations to understand scams, talk about scams and cascade messages throughout communities about scams prevention and protection.

Friends Against Scams encourages communities and organisations to take the knowledge learnt and turn it into action.

Friends Against Scams Easy Read Resources Webpage

https://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/easyread

Anybody can join Friends Against Scams and make a difference in their own way.

Become a friend

If you would like to be a Friend Against Scams you can attend a short awareness session in person or complete the online training.

After this session you will be asked to start taking action to "Take a Stand Against Scams".

Click here for more information.

Take Five Campaign

Beware if you receive a text message purporting to be from a trusted organisation such as your bank – can you be sure it’s genuine?

It is a good idea to follow the advice from Take Five

STOP

Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.

CHALLENGE

Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

PROTECT

Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.

Ten golden rules to prevent fraud

Remember these ten golden rules to help you prevent fraud and beat the scammers.

Be suspicious of all ‘too good to be true’ offers and deals. There are no guaranteed get-rich-quick schemes.
Don’t agree to offers or deals immediately. Insist on time to get independent or legal advice before making a decision.
Don’t hand over money or sign anything until you’ve checked someone’s credentials and their company’s.
Never send money to anyone you don’t know or trust, whether in the UK or abroad, or use methods of payment you’re not comfortable with.
Never give banking or personal details to anyone you don’t know or trust. This information is valuable so make sure you protect it.
Always log on to a website directly rather than clicking on links in an email.
Don’t just rely on glowing testimonials. Find solid, independent evidence of a company’s success.
Always get independent or legal advice if an offer involves money, time or commitment.
If you spot a scam or have been scammed, report it and get help.
Don’t be embarrassed about reporting a scam. Because the scammers are cunning and clever there’s no shame in being deceived. By reporting it, you'll make it more difficult for them to deceive others.

Get help or report a scam

If you think you’ve uncovered a scam, been targeted by a scam or fallen victim to fraudsters, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at Action Fraud.

Call the Police on 101 if you know the suspect or they’re still in the area.

Reporting crime, including fraud, is important. If you don’t tell the authorities, how do they know it’s happened and how can they do anything about it?

Remember that if you’re a victim of a scam or an attempted scam, however minor, there may be hundreds or thousands of others in a similar position. Your information may form part of one big jigsaw and be vital to completing the picture.

Scams Prevention Advice and Support From Lewisham Council

The Neighbourhood Watch and Scams Prevention Officer can provide support if you have been the victim of a scam. They can also give advice and talks on how to prevent scams, and discuss any concerns you have about scams.