Scams.
Here you will find news of interest regarding Scams,
Government and anything else useful.
Updated Aug 2023
Latest news from Consumer Rights Campaign
While some scams are fairly easy to spot, others are well
disguised. Every year three million UK adults fall victim to
mass marketing scams losing on average £850, according to
Consumer Direct.
In truth, the numbers are likely to be much higher as these
are only the official figures – a large number of victims
don't report their experiences.
If you think you may have fallen victim to a scam, here are
three key organisations to visit online or contact over the
phone:
Action Fraud (0300 123 2040), or online here
Citizens Advice (0300 330 3003) or the
Financial Conduct Authority (0800 111 6768).
Here we look at some of the most common ways in which
con-men are scamming people for money so you can be on your
guard – and how to beat the scammers:
Are you being "scammed"?
| * | Many victims will be too embarrassed to admit they have fallen victim to a scam but there is no shame in it |
| * | If a tradesperson offers to escort an elderly person to the bank to withdraw money this is likely to be a scam |
| * | We don't want to scaremonger. We don't want everyone to live in fear but we do want to encourage people to stop and think |
| * | Encourage them not to store cash under the bed |
| * | Encourage them to consider a trueCall device if appropriate |
| * | If they are being persistently targeted they should: change their numbers, make sure their new number is ex-directory, register with the Telephone Preference Service |
| * | NEVER give out your PIN number to anyone, or type it in to a phone or computer - scammers can still retrieve the number this way |
| * | If you believe you have been scammed call 101 |
| * | If a crime is in progress (if a courier is on the way or a rogue trader is at your door (for example) always call 999 |
Citizens Advice have just issued a report "Too good to
be true" regarding the changes to the pension scheme
and the associated scams. If it sounds TGTBT then it
probably is..........
There are FOUR key findings:
| * | Consumers are receiving high levels of unsolicited calls. We calculate that 10.9 million consumers have received unsolicited contact about their pension since April 2015. This includes 2.4 million consumers aged 55-64, who are those most likely to be interested in pension freedoms (Based on ONS population estimates and polling by Populus for Citizens Advice) |
| * | Many people are being offered pension reviews or advice. This represents a focus shift from financial returns to other services. We found that 8.4 million consumers have been offered unsolicited pension advice or reviews in the last year. This poses a genuine risk of reducing confidence in legitimate financial advisers. |
| * | Most consumers are unable to spot scam warning signs. Our research reveals an alarming lack of knowledge amongst consumers. In an experiment in which research participants were shown mock advice adverts, almost nine in ten (88%) consumers selected a pension advice offer containing pension scam warning signs. |
| * | Consumers are most likely to turn to informal sources to check for a scam. With consumers struggling to identify pension scams, it is increasingly important that they can find reliable information on offers. We found that the three top sources for checking pension offers are informal such as asking family or checking a company's website, but our experience suggests that these are not always reliable. |
This research show that more action is needed to reduce
consumer detriment through pension scams. Citizens Advice
recommends:
1. Pension firms should work with Project Bloom members to
continue promoting awareness of scam warning signs to
consumers.
2. Extend the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ScamSmart
portal to include scam warnings for possible advice/review
scams.
3. Bodies such as Action Fraud and the Information
Commissioner's Office should continue monitoring levels and
types of pension contact and respond to emerging
scams/trends.
4. Financial advisers should avoid using lead generators
who make unsolicited calls or use high pressure tactics
If you think you have been a victim then you should contact
the police IMMEDIATELY.