Common scams of 2023
Posted on Aug 04, 2023Scams can start in many ways – a random call from your bank, a social media friend request out of the blue, or an email from someone posing to be a subscription service.
Fraudsters are always on the lookout for victims. Let’s explore the 3 most common types of scams in 2023, according to Which? and how to avoid them.
Phishing scams
A phishing scam is when a scammer impersonates a genuine company and convinces you to give them your personal information. This may look like one of your regular subscriptions is about to expire and you need to provide your bank details to renew.
Once you have given your details to the scammer, thinking you were renewing your subscription, they can be used to scam you. For example, information you enter on dodgy websites can then be used by a fraudster to call and pose as your bank!
Look out for dubious looking email address. If the email address is made up of random letters and numbers, it’s likely a scam. If you’re concerned about a random phone call / email, head to the company’s official website and use the details from there to contact them. They will be able to tell you if /why a member of their team has tried to get in touch with you.
Romance scams
Typically beginning on dating apps, the scammer forges a passionate connection with their victim – showering them with compliments and building a relationship.
The scammer will then start asking their victim to send them money for a variety of made-up causes! The scammer takes advantage of the relationship the victim feels they are in.
Remember to swipe left on romance scams. Stay vigilant when talking to strangers online. Talking to family and friends may help you spot the warning signs you may have missed.
Shopping scams
Shopping scams are where you pay for an item you never receive. The latest figures show that more than 117,000 shopping scams have been reported in the past year. Fraudsters trick victims into buying items online through dodgy websites and social media. Criminals often pose as sellers of high-value items offering large discounts.
Savvy shoppers are drawn in by the low prices but are left out of pocket when their desired purchase never arrives.
If you’re planning to buy from a retailer you haven’t heard of before, do your research. Read customer reviews to make sure you’re buying from a trusted company. Remember, if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is!
What to do it you’ve been scammed
It’s important to act straight away if you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam.
If you’ve given away your financial details, call your bank using the number on the back of your card or on their website and report the scam to Action Fraud.
If your online accounts have been compromised, change your password straight away.
Report dodgy emails to report@phishing.gov.uk and you can report phony websites to the National Cyber Security Centre.
By reporting scams, you might be able to prevent somebody else from falling victim.
You can always contact us if you’re concerned about any message, email or phone call you have received from us!