As estimated three quarters of Britons are affected by scams. Actor, presenter and fraud defence expert Nick Stapleton offers his tips
I have worked in the world of scams and fraud for the last decade, initially doing undercover jobs for television inside dodgy businesses trying to defraud the British population, and later directing my own investigative films. When I had the chance to start working on camera and present Scam Interceptors, I jumped at it.
I’ve always enjoyed helping people and I place huge importance on getting emotional value from what I do. That’s a major part of why I love helping victims and telling their stories. We have a huge problem with fraud in this country (it’s our most common crime by far) and as a journalist who sees the emotional and psychological impact it has, I don’t think there’s a more important story to tell out there.
In my line of work, it’s essential to stay on top of the current scam business: what’s working, what changes are being made and crucially how it all works. Through my own investigations and my work on the BBC’s Scam Interceptors, thankfully I’ve got a web of contacts across law enforcement, the criminal world and those who occupy the greyer areas in between the two, who help me keep my finger on the scam pulse. These are my big three scams to keep an eye at the moment.
Bank impersonation scams
This is without doubt one of the most common scam calls hitting Britain every day. It often begins with a ‘robocall’, a robotic voice, explaining something alarming. For example, that fraudulent transactions have been found on your account and that you should press 1 to speak to your bank’s fraud department. If you do press 1, you’ll be put through to a scammer.
While they know almost nothing about you, they will try their utmost to pose, convincingly, as a concerned member of your bank’s fraud department. Here’s the key thing to remember: if they’re asking you for any banking information (sort codes, account numbers, even a balance from your latest statement), they’re not calling from your bank.
Firstly, your bank would never use a robocall to notify you of fraud. Secondly, they wouldn’t ask you for detailed personal information, but would go through security questions (or similar) to verify who you are. You can safely assume that any out-of-the-blue call from someone claiming to be your bank is a scam – if you work from that assumption you will be on safe ground. Never be afraid to tell them that you’re going to hang up and call your bank back on the number that is either written on your statement or the back of your bank card. It’s vital NOT to call back on any number given out over the phone.
It’s also worth being absolutely sure that, if you suspect you’ve been dealing with a bank impersonation scammer, you definitely hung up the call before you try to reach your own bank. It’s not unknown for the scammer to try to stay on the line and continue the scam by posing as your bank again when you believe you’ve started a new call.
Job opportunity scams
As many of us try to make a bit of extra money, these scams are increasingly popular. Scammers don’t just watch the news for ideas – they watch the calendar too.
If you receive an out-of-the-blue message by text or email asking you whether you’re interested in earning upwards of £100 a day to work for an “online marketing company” or similar, you can safely assume it’s a scam too. They will likely offer to hire you immediately if you respond in the positive, without even checking you have the right to work, signing any paperwork or setting up a contract. No respectable employer would ever do this.
These scammers may even initially actually pay you wages, but if you go through with the online work they’re asking of you, you will end up owing them money. Remember: it’s extremely important to be vigilant about any seemingly well-paid part-time work like this. Any serious employer will want a contract in place and to have your National Insurance number and identification from you before you begin any work.
Pig-butchering scams
This is probably the most profitable scam on the planet right now, and draws its somewhat unpleasant name for origins in China. The gangs who started this scam liked to describe it as ‘pig butchering’ because the scam ‘fattens up’ their victims before taking them for everything they have, much like the standard practice in butchering a pig.
It’s a very modern scam too, in that it can take place almost exclusively over text messages being exchanged. These scams all begin on either dating websites or social media, where seemingly innocent interaction with a new online romantic friend will lead into a lasting relationship. You might exchange messages for weeks without any mention of money at all.
Eventually, once your trust has been bought, the scammer will bring up how they make money. They will mention that they invest it online and encourage you to do the same, laying it on thick over weeks as they suggest you put in more and more money and you see what you believe are huge returns. You will even be able to see your money growing on the website they have led you to invest in.
But it’s all smoke and mirrors, and eventually you won’t see your money or hear from your friend again. That’s what can be so damaging about this scam, not just the loss of money, but the loss of someone you thought was a serious romantic interest.
The key rule here is never to invest in anything which isn’t regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority – they have a register at Financial Conduct Authority where you can check for vetted firms.
Nick’s new book How To Beat Scammers is published by Michael O’Mara books on 13th February; pre-order from Amazon and Waterstones. Also visit Nick Stapleton.
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