.png)
Thank you once again for the update from Operation Falcon.
Don't forget to pass this information to your members.
Greenwich Borough Cyber Crime January Summary - 2019
In January 2019 there were 30 reports were made to Action Fraud costing a total of £426,211 (an average of £14,207 per report)
The top 3 by volume (number of reports) type of fraud is as follows;
Online Shopping Fraud 6 reports £5,793 lost
None of the Above 5 reports £37,000 lost
Advance Fee 3 Reports £12,780 lost
The top 3 by amount reported lost:
Door to Door / Bogus Trader £355,147 lost 3 Reports
None of the above £37,000 lost 5 reports
Advance Fee £12,780 lost 3 reports
Online Shopping continues to be the most prevalent fraud type, please see our animation for an overview;
Never pay via direct bank transfers, always use the websites recommended payment method.
Many door-to-door scams involve the householder being tricked in to paying for products or services that are overpriced or of poor quality. An example of this is being approached regarding building or roofing repairs that are not necessary. The scammer may claim that the work is required to be done urgently and they can give you a good deal. They will put pressure on you to have the work done immediately and may ask for payment upfront. Often the work is not completed or if it is to a poor standard. You may also be overcharged for any work done.
· Always check the identity of anyone you don’t know who attends your home address. Representatives of large companies and organisations should carry id. If you want to check a callers identity do not call the telephone number shown on their id. Find a telephone number for the organisation on the internet or in a phone book and use this to make contact. If you are not happy about a person’s identity do not let them in to your house.
· Don’t be forced in to making quick decisions. Scammers may put pressure on you by offering you a take it or leave it deal at the time of their visit, or claim that the repairs have to be done immediately to avoid more expensive future works.
· Take time to consider your options and research costs from other providers.
· If you feel pressured by a salesperson or are not happy with their behaviour ask them to leave. Be firm as they must leave if you ask them to.
· Never pay upfront for goods or services you have not received.
· Don't give out personal information unless absolutely necessary, particularly to someone you do not know or trust
Once again “None of the above” are mostly impersonation scams.
Your bank, the police, or tax office will never ask you to attend your bank, withdraw, transfer or pay money over the phone or send couriers to collect your card or cash. Nor would they ask you to buy goods or vouchers.
This is a scam.
1. Hang up (Never give details or money following a cold call)
2. Take 5 (Seek a second opinion, tell someone what has happened)
3. Verify (if concerned, contact the company via a pre-confirmed method)
All of our videos and electronic leaflets can be found on the following link; www.met.police.uk/littlemedia
Always report, Scams fraud and cyber crime to Action Fraud, either online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by telephone on 0300 123 2040.
Greenwich Borough Cyber Crime Summary - February
In February 2019 there were 12 reports were made to Action Fraud costing a total of £78,467 (an average of £6,539 per report) I think this is due to under-reporting or an error in action frauds borough data.
Out of those 12 reports there were 8 where victims reported financial loss, these are as follows;
Investment Fraud £69,687 lost 1 Reports
Banking Fraud £7,000 lost 2 reports
None of the above £1,692 lost 1 reports
Ticket Fraud £68 lost 3 reports
Advance Fee £20 lost 1 reports
Investment Fraud
Unfortunately there were some large amounts lost to fraudulent shares and investment frauds and a couple of large payment Frauds in January.
Share sales & Investment Fraud, are similar in that criminals may impersonate legitimate businesses and cold call victims, to persuade them to invest or purchase shares.
Remember a legitimate investment/shares company will not cold call you. (They don’t need to.)
Always seek impartial advice if you are considering an investment and research the company.
Contact the Financial Conduct Authority for more information. – 0800 111 6768, www.fca.org.uk
Payment Fraud
Payment or Mandate Fraud is when fraudsters get a victim to change a direct debit, standing order or bank transfer mandate, by purporting to be an organisation they make regular payments to, for example a subscription, membership or a business supplier. Normally this is done via email where one of the email accounts is hacked and emails containing “new” bank account details are sent.
Always verify changes to financial arrangements with the organisation (or person) directly, using established contact details, I.e. call them using a number from their website or a phone book.
See our video for an overview; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1tktyF0-Tg
Ticket Fraud
There were also some Ticket Frauds, similar to online shopping fraud, the following advice should be adhered to;
Only buy tickets from the venue’s box office, the promoter, an official agent or a well-known and reputable ticket exchange site.Should you choose to buy tickets from an individual (for example on eBay or on a social media), never transfer the money directly into their bank account but use a secure payment site such as PayPal.Paying for your tickets by credit card will offer increased protection over other payments methods, such as debit card, cash, or money transfer services. Avoid making payments through bank transfer or money transfer services, as the payment may not be recoverable.
Banking Fraud includes online banking, cheques and payment card fraud. Usually where the victim notices unusual payments they didn’t make.
· Never disclose passwords or other personal information in response to an email, phone call or letter purporting to be from your bank or other financial institution.
· Banks will never send you emails asking you to divulge such information. Any communication from banks will use your actual name (not ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’) and possibly another verification of authenticity such as your postcode or part of your account number.
· If you are unsure if an email is genuine, contact your bank via other means. – (calling the number on the back of your card)
· Banks will NEVER ask you to move money from your account in to another.
All of our videos and electronic leaflets can be found on the following link; www.met.police.uk/littlemedia
Always report, Scams fraud and cyber crime to Action Fraud, either online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by telephone on 0300 123 2040.