Many people become the victims of fraudsters intent on conning them out of
their cash. If you receive an unsolicited or unexpected telephone call, be on
your guard as it may be a scam. Scams take many different forms but a common
route which fraudsters use to contact victims is the cold telephone call. Each
year many people fall victim to fraudsters - usually operating from overseas -
intent on stealing their personal and financial information and conning them
out of their cash.
The fraudsters sound convincing, professional and may claim to represent a
business you know, for example your bank or an official organisation. They may
pressure you to act quickly, either because they want to trick you into
believing you will miss a golden opportunity to make money or that you will
suffer some sort of loss.
Never give personal or financial information out to anyone who cold calls
you on the telephone. Be cautious and if in doubt, hang up.
In all cases, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
In this guide
Computer virus scam
Telecoms scam
Loan scam
Vehicle matching scam
Council tax scam
Private pension scam
Premium rate phone scam
Bogus energy saving device scam
How to avoid becoming a victim of a telephone scam
I gave out my credit/debit card details - can I get my money back?
I've been conned - what can I do?
Other types of scam
Computer virus scam
Telecoms scam
Loan scam
Vehicle matching scam
Council tax scam
Private pension scam
Premium rate phone scam
Bogus energy saving device scam
How to avoid becoming a victim of a telephone scam
I gave out my credit/debit card details - can I get my money back?
I've been conned - what can I do?
Other types of scam
Scams take many different forms and some of them are listed below:
Computer virus scam
You may be targeted and telephoned by cold callers pretending to represent a well-known software company telephoning to fix a fake computer problem. The fraudster's aim is to trick you into believing that your computer has a serious virus problem and that you need to act immediately or it will become unusable. You will be shown so-called 'errors' on your computer in the hope that you will be frightened into allowing the fraudster to remotely access your computer to fix the problem. At this point, the fraudster takes control of your computer and then requests payment of a fee to carry out repairs. There is no genuine fault so you end up paying for an unnecessary repair or bogus software. You may have left yourself exposed to identity theft, as your computer could have been deliberately infected with malicious software such as viruses and spyware. This could mean that the fraudster can access your personal details, such as your passwords and bank account information.
You may be targeted and telephoned by cold callers pretending to represent a well-known software company telephoning to fix a fake computer problem. The fraudster's aim is to trick you into believing that your computer has a serious virus problem and that you need to act immediately or it will become unusable. You will be shown so-called 'errors' on your computer in the hope that you will be frightened into allowing the fraudster to remotely access your computer to fix the problem. At this point, the fraudster takes control of your computer and then requests payment of a fee to carry out repairs. There is no genuine fault so you end up paying for an unnecessary repair or bogus software. You may have left yourself exposed to identity theft, as your computer could have been deliberately infected with malicious software such as viruses and spyware. This could mean that the fraudster can access your personal details, such as your passwords and bank account information.
Telecoms scam
Fraudsters may contact you by telephone claiming to represent your telecoms provider. You may be told your account is in arrears and that you have to make an immediate payment to prevent your phone line from being disconnected. The fraudster may even offer to demonstrate that he has the ability to disconnect your phone line. This simple trick involves the fraudster pressing the mute button. There is no dial tone and you cannot dial out because the phone line is still actually connected, although it appears that the line is dead. The fraudster rings you back in the hope he has now proved he is a genuine telecoms representative, when of course he is not. The fraudster will then require you to make a payment.
Fraudsters may contact you by telephone claiming to represent your telecoms provider. You may be told your account is in arrears and that you have to make an immediate payment to prevent your phone line from being disconnected. The fraudster may even offer to demonstrate that he has the ability to disconnect your phone line. This simple trick involves the fraudster pressing the mute button. There is no dial tone and you cannot dial out because the phone line is still actually connected, although it appears that the line is dead. The fraudster rings you back in the hope he has now proved he is a genuine telecoms representative, when of course he is not. The fraudster will then require you to make a payment.
Loan scam
The fraudster may telephone you and invite you to apply for a 'guaranteed' loan. You will be asked to provide your personal details, including your bank details and then asked to pay an up-front fee so that the application can be processed. However, the promised loan does not materialise - the fraudster had no intention of providing it - and the fee you have paid may be lost.
The fraudster may telephone you and invite you to apply for a 'guaranteed' loan. You will be asked to provide your personal details, including your bank details and then asked to pay an up-front fee so that the application can be processed. However, the promised loan does not materialise - the fraudster had no intention of providing it - and the fee you have paid may be lost.
Vehicle matching scam
You may decide to advertise your motor vehicle privately for sale in the local newspaper or online. The fraudster may ring you and claim that he has a buyer ready and willing to buy your motor vehicle. Before you can be 'matched' to the buyer. After payment, you will then discover that there is no buyer waiting or the so-called buyer has dropped out and the fee you have paid may be lost.
You may decide to advertise your motor vehicle privately for sale in the local newspaper or online. The fraudster may ring you and claim that he has a buyer ready and willing to buy your motor vehicle. Before you can be 'matched' to the buyer. After payment, you will then discover that there is no buyer waiting or the so-called buyer has dropped out and the fee you have paid may be lost.
Council tax scam
You may receive an unsolicited telephone call claiming that you can benefit from thousands of pounds in council tax refunds. You will be asked to provide personal information, including your bank or credit/debit card details. The scam uses the lure of a promised refund to catch you off-guard and obtain your personal information with a view to stealing your identity and your money.
You may receive an unsolicited telephone call claiming that you can benefit from thousands of pounds in council tax refunds. You will be asked to provide personal information, including your bank or credit/debit card details. The scam uses the lure of a promised refund to catch you off-guard and obtain your personal information with a view to stealing your identity and your money.
Private pension scam
You may receive an unsolicited telephone call asking you whether you are paying into a private pension. The fraudster will say that if you are, you may be able to release a lump sum payment from your pension before you retire, transfer your pension to an overseas scheme to avoid UK tax or transfer your pension to another organisation, which will invest the money for you tax free. The fraudster dupes you into paying a large set-up fee and/or transferring your pension. However, you may never hear from them again or worse still, you could put your entire pension in jeopardy as well as incurring substantial tax charges and penalties.
You may receive an unsolicited telephone call asking you whether you are paying into a private pension. The fraudster will say that if you are, you may be able to release a lump sum payment from your pension before you retire, transfer your pension to an overseas scheme to avoid UK tax or transfer your pension to another organisation, which will invest the money for you tax free. The fraudster dupes you into paying a large set-up fee and/or transferring your pension. However, you may never hear from them again or worse still, you could put your entire pension in jeopardy as well as incurring substantial tax charges and penalties.
Premium rate phone scam
You may answer your telephone to discover that the caller is a recorded voice informing you that you are a 'winner'. You will be asked to ring a premium rate number to claim your prize. The prize, however does not exist or is of little or no value. The fraudsters make their money from the costly premium rate call you have made, which can often last several minutes.
You may answer your telephone to discover that the caller is a recorded voice informing you that you are a 'winner'. You will be asked to ring a premium rate number to claim your prize. The prize, however does not exist or is of little or no value. The fraudsters make their money from the costly premium rate call you have made, which can often last several minutes.
Bogus Energy Saving Device Scam
You may receive a telephone call from someone claiming they can sell you one or more plug-in devices that will dramatically reduce your electricity usage. The claims are inevitably false and all fraudster wants is the up-front payment.
You may receive a telephone call from someone claiming they can sell you one or more plug-in devices that will dramatically reduce your electricity usage. The claims are inevitably false and all fraudster wants is the up-front payment.
How to avoid becoming a victim of a telephone scam
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