3 Mins
In recent years, the number of scams has increased significantly, including claims that people/letters are from HMRC. So please be aware that this is happening and always get a second opinion from someone you trust before acting.
Advancements in technology have made it easier for scammers to access our personal information. Scams can occur through various channels, including telephone calls, emails, letters, and even social media platforms. It’s also important to remember that scams can be conducted in person.
What to look for:
- Unsolicited contact: Are you expecting the communication? Do you recognise the company? Do you have any accounts or interactions with them? Even if you do, always verify that the person you are corresponding with is a genuine employee of the company.
- Suspicious email addresses: Be wary of generic or unexpected email addresses that do not match the supposed sender. Look out for poor spelling or grammar in letters and emails.
- Unknown phone numbers and assertive callers: Be cautious of calls from unknown numbers, especially if the caller is overly assertive or demanding.
- Unexpected messages: Be cautious of out-of-the-blue messages from people you haven’t spoken to recently or have never interacted with. Be particularly wary of messages from unknown numbers claiming to be family members in need of help or cloned social media accounts pretending to be someone you know.
Ways to avoid falling into the trap:
- Stay calm: When you receive demand for payment, unexpected bills, or notices of irregular transactions, do not panic. Take a moment to consider the situation and who the contact is from. Verify if you have accounts with the contacting party. Call them directly using numbers found online or on the back of your cards to confirm the contact is genuine.
- In-person verification: If someone approaches your home, ask for identification. Look up the company they claim to represent and call the company using the information you have found yourself. Confirm with the company that the person at your door is genuine before providing any personal information.
- Email verification: Check the sender’s email address. If it appears unconnected to the person or company they claim to represent, do not respond. Contact the company or person directly using other means. Be cautious of clicking on links within emails. Only click on links if you trust the sender.
- Letter Comparison: Compare letters with authentic correspondence from the supposed sender. Verify that all details are correct. Look up the person or company online and call them to confirm the authenticity of the letter.
- Phone Call Safety: Never give out bank or credit card details over the phone. Tell the caller you will call them back using a number you know to be genuine. If the caller becomes overly assertive or tries to persuade you to stay on the line, this is a red flag.
- Social Media Verification: Check the account that sent you the message. Ensure it matches the account you expect. Verify if the posts align with what you have seen before. Reach out to the person through other methods to confirm they sent the message.
By staying vigilant and following these precautions, you can protect yourself from falling victim to scams. Always verify the authenticity of any unexpected contact and remember to stay calm and cautious.
