Tag: Action Fraud
QR codes being hijacked for subscription traps and scams
Have you spotted a recurring payment to a company you’ve never heard of? You’re not alone, as subscription traps - often linked to dodgy QR codes - are one of the most commonly reported complaints to Which? scam sharer tool. According to the tool, people have found they've been charged for subscriptions they didn’t sign…
Surge in cold calls targeting older people about personal alarms, claims Which?
Reports of older people being targeted by cold calls about personal alarms are on the rise, claims consumer group Which? Which? received just five reports about personal alarms (medical pendants or wristbands used to alert emergency services at the push of a button) to its scam sharer tool in the whole of…
Scam Facebook ads promising free Network Rail travel cards
Fraudsters are trying to lure victims on social media with the promise of free train travel for a year, writes Which? magazine. These dodgy Facebook ads claim Network Rail is giving away 150 travel cards, and all you need to do to get one is complete a survey and pay a small delivery fee. Scammers…
6 Tips to Prevent Shopping Scams
Online fraudsters are taking advantage of M&S shoppers by posing as the retailer. “These misleading scam adverts are sending shoppers to fake websites that have nothing to do with M&S, luring them in with the opportunity to receive a £100 gift card," says Nick Drewe, founder of online discounts platform Wethrift. Once shoppers are directed to…
The 12 Scams of Christmas
Every year, scammers take the opportunity to target consumers shopping online around the Christmas period with new and old scams. This leaves people increasingly vulnerable. Together with James Walker, CEO of consumer data action service Rightly, we identify and explore twelve common scams that pop up at Christmas and explain what consumers should look out…
Having money stolen biggest fear of online scams, claims report
People are increasingly worried about the financial risks of online scams as the cost of living crisis grows, according to a new social media poll run by cloud security company Menlo Security. When asked what their biggest fear is about online scammers, over half of the respondents (55%) were concerned about their money being…
UK sees surge in catphishing, claims report
A new study shows the United Kingdom is experiencing an unprecedented surge in romance scams this summer. Victims from the United Kingdom lost a record €104 million to romance scams over the last 12 months, up from €68 million in 2020. Romance scams – also known as ‘catphishing’ – are when criminals create fake online profiles to trick online love seekers out…
Action Fraud warns of scam Ukraine emails
The UK's national fraud reporting centre has issued a warning to those wanting to help victims of the Ukraine war. Action Fraud has sent out an alert as cybercriminals are targeting those who want to help victims of the Russian invasion. They have received 196 reports of bogus emails claiming to be fundraising for victims…
Ofcom plans crackdown on fake number scams
UK phone companies will make it harder for fraudsters to use their networks for fake number scams, under a range of measures proposed by Ofcom today. Almost 45 million people were targeted by scam calls and texts last summer. Criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and nearly a million of these consumers followed the scammers’ instructions, risking…
1 in 10 victim of social media ‘scam ads’, claims Which?
Almost one in 10 people (9%) have fallen victim to online scam ads via social media sites or search engines as platforms fail to tackle a flood of bogus ads posted by fraudsters, new research from Which? reveals. The consumer watchdog is calling for the government to give tech giants greater legal responsibility for…
