Fraudsters are using the cost of living crisis to rinse people out of their hard earned money just before Christmas. Police have shared multiple scams which are being used to steal people's hard earned cash.
From false energy bill rebates to cost of living payments, criminals are targeting people in multiple ways in the run up to the festive period, with hundreds of reports to Action Fraud.
Greater Manchester Police are among the forces that have shared the scams to raise awareness. There is support available online with Action Fraud offering advice to people who fear they may be a victim.
READ MORE Map of Manchester shows where the most deprived places are... and how our city is changing
Energy Bill Rebates
Over the last two months, Action Fraud said they received over 350 reports relating to fake text messages and emails pretending to be from the UK Government. The messages tell the victim that they are 'owed' or 'eligible' for an energy bill discount as part of the Energy Bill Support Scheme.
A significant number of emails are titled 'Are you Eligible to Apply for Energy Bill Rebate' or 'Government energy rebate scheme'. Some of the emails even include the Ofgem logo in an attempt to legitimise the correspondence. Links in the emails and text then click through to genuine looking websites designed to steal personal and financial details.
Action Fraud said that households in the UK do not need to apply for the Energy Bill Support Scheme and that homeowners will not be asked for their bank details.
In recent months, people have also reported receiving suspicious phone calls from fraudsters claiming to be from their bank or the police. The scammer warns the recipient that several suspicious transactions have been made on their account related to scam government energy rebates and asks them to transfer their funds into a ‘safe account’.
Cost of Living Payments
Since the cost of living payments were announced in May, which offered £650 to millions of low income households, Action Fraud said scammers have been asked to claim or apply for payments via an online link.
The Department for Work and Pensions previously issued a warning about scams related to cost of living assistance following reports of scam phone calls, emails and text messages. In one of the scams, the recipient is asked to claim or apply for the payment by registering via a link. The links in the emails and texts lead to genuine looking websites that are designed to steal personal and financial information.
Anyone eligible for cost of living assistance does not need to apply for the payment or contact the DWP directly. Payment is made automatically.
Fuel vouchers, phone bill discounts and supermarket offers
Consumers are also being targeted with phishing emails pretending to be from utility companies. The emails claim to provide savings on energy bills and offer fuel vouchers, phone discounts and supermarket offers.
A number of supermarket brands have been spoofed in fake adverts on social media with offers of deals, competitions or giveaways. A number of people have reported seeing the adverts offering free food products that are due to expire.
They encourage people to register via an online link in order to win or claim the food. However, the offer does not exist and the third party website is designed to steal personal or financial information.
A number of people have also reported receiving suspicious phone calls from scammers claiming to be from their phone provider. The scammer states that the phone owner is eligible for a discount on their phone bill due to cost of living hardships and then asks a series of questions designed to steal their personal information.
People are being urged to always check the brand’s official website or social media channels to verify whether an offer is authentic.
Fake investment opportunities
There are many different types of investment fraud, which usually involve criminals contacting people and convincing them to invest in schemes or products that are worthless or do not exist. Once the criminals have received payment, they cease contact with the victim.
Action Fraud said the scammers are currently using a range of social media platforms to contact people with offers of non-existent bank refunds. In many cases, the fraudster shares a fake screenshot showing amounts ranging from £1,289 to £1,855 being deposited into an account.
This is intended to encourage the recipient to share their bank details and claim a refund. However, no refund exists and the scammer then uses the financial information to steal money.
How do I protect myself from scams?
If anyone receives any of these messages, Action Fraud is urging people to report it immediately.
If you spot a suspicious text message, it can be forwarded to 7726. If you have received an email which you’re not quite sure about, it can be forwarded on to report@phishing.gov.uk.
If you've lost money or have been hacked as a result of responding to a call, you should report it to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040.
All the latest information on the cost of living payment is available on the Government website. Anyone eligible for cost of living assistance does not need to apply for the payment or contact the DWP directly. Payments are made automatically and DWP will never ask for personal details by SMS or email.
Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud. Action Fraud added that banks or the police will never ask anyone to transfer money or move it into a safe account.
With regards to investment opportunities, the public are being urged not to rush into making investments and are reminded that legitimate organisations will never pressure someone into investing on the spot. They advise people to seek professional independent advice.
The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) register can also be used to check if the company is regulated by the FCA. If you deal with a firm (or individual) that isn’t regulated, you may not be covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) if things go wrong and you lose your money.
Read the latest on the cost of living crisis here
Read next:
-
Row over plans for late night Metrolink tram trial that 'cuts across side of Manchester'
-
Takeaway told it cannot open later as safety concerns surface following death of student
-
Eurythmics lyrics heard from Night & Day in neighbouring flat, council claims in court
-
'Bailiffs said they'd take my kids' toys away. Manchester should stop using them for council tax'
-
Mayor Andy Burnham clashes with angry caller over Clean Air Zone in heated radio debate
