At our last Speaker Meeting on 7th April we welcomed Claire Bounds Avon and Somerset Police Fraud Protect team.
Claire gave us a most interesting and useful talk designed to raise awareness of some of the ever-evolving ways criminals use to scam the public out of hard earned money. The information and advice was to empower us to identify potential frauds and prevent the loss of our valuable data to those intent on stealing it.
TAKE FIVE is a national campaign offering straight forward and impartial advice to help people protect themselves from preventable financial fraud.
If someone makes you uncomfortable during an unsolicited call, talk to 2 people about it before acting on anything.
Fraud Victims are targeted in very sophisticated crimes. There is no blame for the victims. It can happen to anyone, specially if it arises at times when people are stressed or very busy.
Criminals are experts in impersonating organisations and the police. It’s a group of frauds called Trusted Official Frauds, organisations that you are less likely to challenge. So STOP, TAKE 5 (minutes), TELL 2 (people) before responding.
Criminals can use Number Spoofing where they copy the exact number from the bank customer services, for example, to send you a text from a false number pretending to be from your bank. If you are a victim: raise it with your bank quickly. Then contact Action Fraud.
BEWARE – Clicking on a link on an email or text can download malicious software to your phone/computer, even if you don’t go further.
We were given copies of ‘The Little Book of Big Scams’ produced by the Metropolitan Police Service Cyber Crime Unit containing valuable advice on the numerous types of scams – from online fraud to romance fraud, courier fraud and others- and how to protect ourselves against these crimes.
Reporting fraud is important. We were advised to contact Action Fraud if we, or anyone we know, are unlucky enough to fall victim to a scam (www.actionfraud.police.uk or telephone 0300 123 2040). If it is an emergency with a crime in progress or involving a vulnerable victim always call 999 or 101 in a non-emergency situation.
You can also visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report/fraud.
Claire left us with the message: ‘Don’t be afraid, but be aware. Don’t be scared, be sceptical. And above all, remember if it sounds too good to be true it probably is!’
Useful information:
www.takefive-stop fraud.org.uk
The Silver Line – 24/7 free helpline for older people – call 0800 470 8090 or www.thesilverline.org.uk