Bottesford NHW Alert: Fraud and Phishing

For some time now the number of reports about online fraud and phishing have far outnumbered those concerned with traditional criminal behaviour in our area. Whilst the framework in which individual fraud and phishing activities are presented varies, many of the warning signs are the same:

 

·         The opportunity offered seems too good to be true – trust your instincts

·         The approach comes “out of the blue” – it is unsolicited – always check back independently with the body/organisation supposedly offering the opportunity

·         The opportunity requires an immediate response – if you feel you are being rushed into action STOP and think!

·         The actions you are being asked to take feel strange or surprising for the organisation concerned e.g. your bank will NEVER ask you to reveal your security information; HMRC will NEVER inform you of a tax refund via email or telephone. If it feels out of the ordinary – BEWARE

·         An unwillingness to share the caller’s telephone number or the number given is invalid is a sure sign that something is wrong

 

Residents can check for known scams by visiting https://actionfraud.police.uk. The website is valuable resource for all information relating to online fraud and phishing. You can sign up for regular alerts, check for known activity, report scams and phishing attempts and view advice on protecting yourself from this rapidly increasing risk.

 

If you have elderly relatives or friends please help them understand the risks and how to deal with them.

 

 

John Shilton

Principal Co-ordinator

Bottesford Parish NHW

Email: JohnS@bottesfordparishNHW.org.uk

Mobile: 07725636626