Reports from the public to the Police have already included online shopping scams where people have ordered protective face masks, hand sanitiser, and other products, which have never arrived and a number of cases have been identified where fake testing kits have been offered for sale. Always buy from reputable dealers.
Criminals are also using Government branding to try to trick people, including reports of using HMRC branding to make spurious offers of financial support through unsolicited emails, phone calls and text messages.
This situation is likely to continue, with criminals looking to exploit further consequences of the pandemic, such as exploiting financial concerns to ask for upfront fees for bogus loans, offering high-return investment scams, or targeting pensions.
Huge increases in the number of people working remotely mean that significantly more people will be vulnerable to computer service fraud where criminals will try and convince you to provide access to your computer or divulge your logon details and passwords. It is also anticipated that there will be a surge in phishing scams or calls claiming to be from government departments offering grants, tax rebates, or compensation.
Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police. They spend hours researching you for their scams, hoping you’ll let your guard down for just a moment.
Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
Protect: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or call them on 0300 123 2040
Your bank or the police will NEVER ask you to transfer money or move it to a safe account.
Please see below for more information on the most common COVID-19 frauds.
As more people self-isolate fraudsters will carry out courier fraud by cold calling the victim, purporting to be a police officer or bank to gain their trust. The ultimate aim of this call is to trick them into handing over money or their bank details.
Online Shopping and Auction Fraud
More people may fall victim to fraud as they self-isolate due to COVID19. You are a victim of online shopping fraud if you buy goods from an online seller that never arrive.
Computer Software Service Fraud
As more people work from home due to COVID19, fraudsters may capitalise on slow networks and IT problems, to commit computer software service fraud. Be wary of cold calls or unsolicited emails offering you help with your device or to fix a problem
People may be worrying about their finances during the COVID19 outbreak. Lender loan fraudsters will use the opportunity to:
– approve your application for a fast loan regardless of your credit history
– ask you to pay an upfront fee
– take your payment and never provide the loan
Pension Liberation Fraud and Investment Fraud
Fraudsters could try to take advantage of the financial uncertainty surrounding COVID19 by offering people sham investment opportunities. If you get a cold call or unsolicited email offering you a deal that sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
As more people work from home due to COVID19, fraudsters may try to get you to change a direct debit, standing order or bank transfer mandate, to divert funds to their bank account, by purporting to be an organisation you make regular payments to.
A number of COVID19 related phishing emails have been reported to Action Fraud. These emails attempt to trick you into opening malicious attachments which could lead to fraudsters stealing your personal information, logins, passwords, or banking details.
Update 26/03: The Government has only sent one text message to the public regarding new rules about staying at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Any others claiming to be from UK Government are false.
“Criminals are able to use spoofing technology to send texts and emails impersonating organisations that you know and trust. We would remind anyone who receives an unexpected text or email asking for personal or financial details not click on the links or attachments, and don’t respond to any messages that ask for your personal or financial details.
For further information and the steps you can take to keep yourself safe go to https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/covid19
Timberscombe 
Hi Lesley, I really appreciated your article. I never thought about courier fraud or mandate fraud. These are all good points to be aware of and watch out for. Again, great article and you gained a follower!
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