TYPES OF FRAUD

Vishing

The scam: A fraudster calls claiming to be from a bank/building society. the police. utility company or IT company and informs the victim there's a problem with their account or computer.

How it works:

The victim is advised that to protect their money. they need to do one of the following:
• transfer money to another account and provides the fraudsters with bank details for a 'safe' account that has been opened for them
• give their card and PIN number to a courier who will come to their home to collect it
• allow the fraudsters remote access to the computer to log onto their Internet Banking
• provide details of their debit/credit card so a refund/payment can be made.

In all of these cases the actions of the victim allow the fraudster access to their money.

Phishing

The scam: Emails are sent with links to fake websites encouraging people into entering personal, login/card details. or account information.

How it works:

Victims may also run the risk of their computer or smartphone being infected by viruses. Once details are entered. criminals then record this information and use it to commit identity theft and bank fraud.

Smishing

The scam: This is when fraudsters obtain personal details of a victim by SMS text messages.

How it works:

SMS phishing uses text messages to convince people to divulge their personal information (full debit card or bank account details). Fraudsters can go on to use this personal information to commit fraud.

Romance

The scam: Victims think they've met their perfect partner online, when in reality, they are fraudsters.

How it works:

Once the fraudster is confident, they've gained the victim's trust, they will tell them about an emotive problem they are experiencing. or a wish to visit the victim and ask them for money to help. When the victim sends money, the fraudster will often come back with reasons to send them even more money.

Bogus Tradesmen

The scam: A salesman uses clever tactics to pressurise you into buying something you don't want or something that's poor value for money on your doorstep.

How it works:

Bogus tradesmen promote goods or services that are never delivered to you or are of a very poor quality. They can often convince victims they need work doing that isn't needed or may bill them for work that they didn't agree to.

Advance Fees

The scam: Advance fee scams are when fraudsters target victims to make advance or upfront payments for goods, services and/or financial gains that do not materialise.

How it works:

The victim applies for a loan and is advised they must pay a 'fee' in advance of the loan money being sent or the victim is advised they have won the lottery or a prize but must pay a 'fee' in advance of receiving this. The victim either sends money direct to the fraudster's account or is advised to purchase 'gift cards' and contact the fraudster with the code numbers. In all instances the victim never receives their money or prize.

Mortgages

The scam: Fraudsters hack into the email chains between house buyers and their solicitors to divert money that was supposed to be used to purchase a house.

How it works:

The fraudster, posing as the house buyer's solicitor, sends an email to the house buyer notifying them their bank account details have changed. The house buyers send their money to the new bank account which has been set up by the fraudster, rather than their solicitor's genuine bank account.

Fake Websites

The scam: Fraudsters set up fake websites or adverts offering holidays or other goods for sate at an incredibly cheap rate.

How it works:

The victim views the website or advert which has pictures of the holiday accommodation or goods that don't actually exist. The victim communicates with fraudsters and purchases the holiday/goods. They are requested to send the money by bank transfer, Moneywise or Western Union rather than paying by debit/credit card or PayPal.