As if we haven’t all had enough to deal with and worry about since the outset of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, the situation has unfortunately been exploited by fraudsters with fake offers of vaccinations. At times of disasters and other crises, there is invariably an increase in fraudulent activity, for […]
Bitcoin-Related Scam Emails
Action Fraud are warning the public to be vigilant of unsolicited emails promoting cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) investment opportunities. They’ve received over 750 reports this week about Bitcoin-related phishing emails that use fake celebrity endorsements to try and lure victims into investment scams. The links in the emails lead to fraudulent websites that are […]
Conman sent back to prison for failing to pay back victim
A ROGUE trader jailed for conning a pensioner out of more than £26,000 has been sent back to prison after paying less than 10 per cent of the court-ordered compensation. Patrick Charles Lemmon, 59, appeared at Folkestone Magistrates Court on January 18, having paid just £2,200 towards the £26,950 confiscation […]
Seaford Scam awareness
More concerning scams but it is important that defences don’t slip when we may be distracted. Officers from Seaford Neighbourhood Policing Team have been out all this week sharing advice, following a significant increase in fraud/scams being reported from Seaford and Seahaven residents. Scam police and bank callers is the […]
Scam police and bank callers
This is something that we seem to publish most weeks but it it still something that all too often we forget. Residents receive phone calls from people claiming to be from the police or their bank. The caller says they are investigating fraudulent activity on people’s accounts. They request people’s […]
Surge In Online Shopping Fraud
Reports of online shopping fraud have surged by 30% over the pandemic as many of us continue to shop online in light of current restrictions. Figures from Action Fraud show that criminals conned 17,407 shoppers out of almost £13.5 million over the Christmas period last year, an increase of over 20% when compared to […]
UK ORGANISATIONS ON AVERAGE PAID OUT ALMOST £1M IN RANSOMWARE ATTACKS THIS YEAR
£940,000 – THE AVERAGE AMOUNT PAID TO CYBER CRIMINALS BY UK ORGANISATIONS 64% OF UK ORGANISATIONS BELIEVE STATE-SPONSORED CYBERATTACKS ARE THE BIGGEST THREAT TO THEIR INDUSTRY IN 2021 A new report has highlighted the full extent of ransomware attacks on UK organisations. A new global cybersecurity survey from CrowdStrike found that UK […]
Machine learning tool developed to detect fake news domains when they register
Social media companies and governments need to take a more active role in tackling fake news Techniques observed could be used to target corporates if not tackled Academics at University College London and other institutions have collaborated to develop a machine learning tool that identifies new domains created to promote […]
Action Fraud is warning people selling items online to be on the lookout for criminals sending fake PayPal emails.
Between January 2020 and September 2020, 21,349 crime reports were made to Action Fraud about fake PayPal emails. Victims reported losing a total of £7,891,077.44 during this time. Those targeted included people selling jewellery, furniture and electronics via online marketplaces. Reports of fake PayPal emails to Action Fraud made up a third of all […]
This week’s scam and fraud warnings from Action Fraud:
With more stores reopening, and online shopping slots becoming available, please take the time to refresh your online security, only trust known websites, and remember offers that sound too good to be true generally are. More support and advice here. NHS Track and Trace scams, if you’re contacted by the NHS […]
NEW HOTLINE TO REPORT COVID FRAUDSTERS
In an initiative between government and the independent charity Crimestoppers, a new hotline has been launched to help stop criminals profiting from the coronavirus crisis. More than 150 Covid support schemes have been introduced by the government to help those struggling financially, but a minority of individuals have been abusing […]
Free Webinars about Staying Safe Online
Get Online week takes place from 19 – 23 October. To help support this event, Staying Safe Online are offering FREE webinars that provide advice and tips on how to protect yourself and others online. These webinars are available on Monday 19th and Wednesday 21st October and can be booked via Eventbrite […]
WHY CAREFREE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS RISK BECOMING EASY PREY FOR eCRIMINALS
British universities and colleges warned about spike in ransomware attacks by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of GCHQ. · 40% of students do not consider the risk of a cyber-attack after sharing log in details · 57% admit using the same passwords for multiple accounts · Mum and dad […]
Auto Fraud Advice from Get Safe Online
These days – pandemic or no pandemic – the vast majority of second-hand cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles and other vehicles are bought and sold online. It’s fast and convenient, and there’s so much choice at your fingertips. But online marketplaces are also very popular with fraudsters. Unfortunate buyers get tricked […]
31.9 MILLION CONSUMERS PUTTING FINANCES AT RISK BY BANKING ON UNPROTECTED SMARTPHONES
Despite more than half (52%) worrying about banking apps being hacked if their phone is lost or stolen Millions of us are actually putting ourselves at risk by carrying out our online banking on smartphones and devices that are potentially vulnerable to a security breach. 47% of smartphone owners who […]
Get Safe Online Safe Student Campaign
he young people in our families generally have a better hands-on knowledge of technology than we do. However, this confidence can result in them taking more risks online that could adversely affect their finances, reputation or even their whole future, if they end up with a criminal record. If your […]
Are You Shopping Online?
Almost 34% of all retail sales during May 2020 were carried out online, and new research suggests that only 16% of UK consumers intend to return to their old shopping habits post-lockdown. Online shopping fraud during lockdown Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, received over […]
Survey reveals 86% of UK businesses expect cyber attacks to increase in next 12 months
Phishing attacks are regarded as the greatest cyber threat 15 July 2020: In a survey of UK cyber security, IT and business professionals, 86% of businesses expect cyber threats to increase over the next 12 months. The survey, commissioned by WatchGuard Technologies, also reveals that 44% of organisations have experienced a cyber attack over the last […]
DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN GET SCAMMED ON SOCIAL MEDIA?
You’re probably familiar with some of the ways in which fraudsters approach and attempt to lure in their victims, such as emails, texts, phone calls, letters and traditional doorstep scams. But did you know that social media is also a favourite place for scammers? With billions of people using social […]
Call blocker
As you may already know the National Trading Standards Scams Team received government funding to supply and installcall blocking technology in consumers’ homes.The project re-launched at the beginning of March and received hundreds of applications. Due to Covid-19 they had to make the very difficult decision to close applications as […]
Coronavirus-Related Scams – How To Protect Yourself
Criminals are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to try and get their hands on your money and personal information. To date, Action Fraud has received reports from 2,378 victims of Coronavirus-related scams, with the total losses reaching over £7 million. How you can protect yourself from Coronavirus-related scams: There are some simple […]
This week’s scam and fraud warnings from Action Fraud:
With more stores reopening, and online shopping slots becoming available, please take the time to refresh your online security, only trust known websites, and remember offers that sound too good to be true generally are. More support and advice here. NHS Track and Trace scams, if you’re contacted by the NHS […]
Action Fraud scam watch
This week’s scam and fraud warnings from Action Fraud: EasyJet cyber breach: Action Fraud has been made aware by the National Cyber Security Centre of the cyber breach affecting EasyJet customers. We’re currently monitoring our system for EasyJet related reports to see if there has been a significant increase. Most […]
Public Embraces Email Reporting Service Created After Spike In Coronavirus-Related Scams
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) launched the pioneering ‘Suspicious Email Reporting Service’ in April to make it easier than ever to flag suspicious emails – including those claiming to offer services related to coronavirus. As part of the Cyber Aware campaign, the NCSC successfully launched its suspicious email reporting service, resulting […]
Do You Know How To Spot A Phishing Email?
Email has always been the most commonplace method used by online fraudsters to trick innocent people out of their money, their identity… or both. It still is. And currently, they’re exploiting the current Coronavirus pandemic with persuasive messages ranging from vaccines and cures to tax refunds and fake charity appeals. […]
Get Safe Online Campaign – Coronavirus and Keeping Safe Online
Right now, safeguarding ourselves, our loved ones, friends and colleagues from COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is uppermost in people’s minds in the UK and around the world. After all, this is an unprecedented situation which warrants unprecedented precautions. Also of great importance, however, is making sure we also remain safe in the […]
Action Fraud Have Received Reports of Covid19 Related Scams
What scams are we seeing? The majority of reports are related to online shopping scams where people have ordered protective face masks, hand sanitiser and other products, which have never arrived. Other frauds being reported include ticket fraud, romance fraud, charity fraud and lender loan fraud Protection advice Detailed counter fraud advice is available online, including from Scamsmart, ActionFraud, CIFAS, TakeFive, Citizens […]