Fraud and Scams

One organization that works hard to help us protect ourselves from fraud and scams is Barclays Bank "Digital Wings" online platform. It is particularly concerned with helping older people, and is recommended by the Third Age Trust.

Their Protect yourself against Scams page (at https://www.barclays.co.uk/fraud-and-scams/scams-protection/) covers the main kinds of scam. These are listed below - click on each for more information and protection advice.

Impersonation scams: When someone pretends to be the police, a bank, a friend or business, to convince you to send them money. 

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.

Pension scams: A scammer says they can make you money, and convinces you take a lump sum out of your pension and then steals it.

Doorstop scams: A rogue trader knocks on your door and pretends your house needs work and then overcharges you for it and often doesn't finish the job.

Bereavement scams: A scammer contacts you after someone has died, and says you owe money to pay off a debt or to access a payout. 

Phishing, smishing, and vishing: You receive an email, text message, or call claiming to be from a well-known company or organisation such as Microsoft, a bank or the police.

Some basic rules to protect yourself are

• Be wary of any unexpected text messages, calls and emails you get.
• Don't be fooled if a phone number or email address looks genuine – they can be faked. 
• Be extra suspicious if you're asked to open a link or call a number.
• If you need to call the company, find a genuine number from a trusted source – for a bank this could be their website, or the back of your card.
• If you need to visit the company's website, don’t take it from a message or click on a link – always type in a web address you know is genuine by hand.
• Never reveal personal information, your PIN, PINsentry codes, mobile activation codes, QR codes, or Online Banking passcodes.