Impersonation scams
When someone pretends to be the police, a bank, a friend or business, to convince you to send them money.
How it could happen to you
- You receive an email, text message or call that looks or sounds like it’s from someone you know or deal with – scammers impersonate other people and companies by making calls or text messages that look like they’re coming from a genuine number
- They might say that they need money urgently, you’ve got an outstanding bill to pay or that your internet isn’t working. If you’ve been contacted unexpectedly, always treat it as suspicious
- Scammers will try to rush or panic you. They might say there’s been fraud on your account and you need to move the money to protect yourself – this is a sure sign of a scam
- Scammers can change their caller ID to disguise their real identity and make it look like someone you know is calling – known as ‘number spoofing’. If you receive messages or calls out of the blue, especially ones asking for money, always call the person back using a number you trust
Stop. Challenge. Protect.
- Think twice before opening links in text messages and emails, especially ones that ask you to provide personal information or make a payment
- Never give remote access to your computer following a cold call from someone
- Nobody legitimate will ever ask you to transfer your money to a ‘safe account’ or say that ‘your money is at risk’. If this happens, it’s a scam
Investment scams
When you’re invited to invest in things that are worthless, or don’t exist.
Purchase scams
When fake or non-existent items are advertised for sale.
Advance fee scams
When fake companies ask for an upfront fee and then don’t provide the service you’ve paid for.
Invoice scams
When account details on an invoice are changed, or emails are intercepted, so the money is wrongly paid into the scammer’s account.
Romance scams
When someone pretends to be interested in a romantic relationship with you. They gain your trust and then ask for money.
Money mules
When you let someone put money into your account, which you then transfer on. You may be told you can keep some of the money for yourself.
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