Latest news with #ActionFraud
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
All UK WhatsApp users placed on alert and issued with urgent reminder this week
Everyone in the UK who uses WhatsApp must stay alert and follow some simple new rules. Anyone with WhatsApp installed on their devices would be wise to take note of new reminder that's been issued by UK experts. With so many people chatting via this popular messaging service it's no wonder it's become such as huge target for cyber crooks and it seems one scam continues to catch people out. The scary "Hi mum" threat has been doing the rounds for years and has already cost unsuspecting consumers hundreds of thousands of pounds. Many end up handing cash over to crooks after believing that loved ones are in financial trouble. For those who have never heard of this threat, it's easy to see why it's been so successful. Things begin with a simple message that usually starts with "Hi mum" or "Hi dad." Once a victim responds, the online thieves then start a conversation, which usually suggests that their phone has been lost and that they need money to buy a new one. It remains a hugely profitable scam for criminals, and it's something we all need to watch out for. In a bid to stop more WhatsApp fans from becoming a victim, the team at Action Fraud has released a reminder telling UK users to be alert. "Beware of fraudsters posing as friends or family, and claiming to need urgent financial help,"Action Fraud explained in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter). "If a family member or friend makes an unusual request on WhatsApp, always call the person outside of WhatsApp to confirm their identity." Action Fraud also says it's vital to block any strange messages and submit a report if you think you have been a victim of this messaging scam. "Report spam messages or block a sender within WhatsApp. Press and hold on the message bubble, select 'Report' and then follow the instructions," Action Fraud explained. "If you lost money as a result of the scam message, please report it to Action Fraud." So, the advice remains clear. If you get a message from an unknown number, do not respond. If the message says it has come from a family member, head to your actual contacts and give them a call. You'll then find out if it's a scam.
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Manchester dad's trauma after 'losing £2,000 in house rent scam'
A father who was only days away from moving into his new house has described his horror at discovering other people were already living Achianu, 43, said he thought he had found the perfect three-bedroomed place on Gumtree to rent for himself and his three children in the Cheetham Hill area of mental health nurse said he went for a viewing on 19 June with a woman who claimed to be the property's owner, signed a tenancy agreement to move in on 1 July and paid a £1,000 deposit and the same again in advance Achianu told the BBC he had reported the scam to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and then Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud reporting centre. 'Really panicking' He said he had been looking for a new place so that his children could stay Achianu said he had been slightly suspicious during the viewing because the white sheets and towels on the bed reminded him of a short-term let, and he was told council tax was included in the those misgivings he said he agreed to rent the house."When you are desperate you don't really think properly," he told BBC Radio the scammer claiming others were interested in the house, Mr Achianu said he paid her £2,000 and arranged to do an inventory checklist a couple of days she stopped replying to his texts and calls, though, he said he felt concerned and decided to visit the house."Lo and behold I saw people in the property," said the father-of-three. "I was really panicking at that point."He said one of the residents told him she had booked the property through Achianu said he again tried in vain to contact the "owner".When he later received a text to say the inventory check was still on, though, he said it "was like a sigh of relief".But that meeting was cancelled at the last minute by the woman, he prospective tenant headed back to the house and saw it was still told him its owners had started letting the house out on various websites after they moved out. 'Trauma' He checked online and found the house being advertised."I knew then it was scam," said Mr Achianu, who added that "the trauma has put [me] off looking for somewhere else - I don't trust anyone anymore".Mr Achianu said he was still in the same accommodation where his children are unable to stay over.A spokesperson for Gumtree UK said: "The safety of our users is our absolute priority, and we do not tolerate fraudulent activity on our platform. "We require that property ads on our site comply with government regulations for property advertising, and we list prominent safety advice for prospective tenants on our website, which recommends that all potential tenants check the relevant paperwork, ask to see proof of ownership, and ensure a tenancy agreement is in place before paying deposits or holding fees."We strongly urge anyone who thinks they may have come across a scam or experiences suspicious behaviour to report it to us immediately via the Report button. "Our dedicated trust and safety team will investigate and take necessary action, such as removing adverts and blocking offending users, and supporting law enforcement in their investigations."Airbnb said: "While to our best knowledge this was not reported to us at the time, as part of our investigation we have removed an individual from the platform."GMP confirmed it had received a report of fraud, with the alleged victim being referred to Action Webb, acting director of Action Fraud, said the report was being assessed by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) at the City of London Police. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
WhatsApp users urged to stay on high alert this week as money stealing scam resurfaces
Ignoring this warning may end up being costly. WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging services, with billions of users all over the globe. Whether it's to catch up with friends and family, or keep in the loop with changes at work, this Meta service is the go-to app for many smartphone users. However, this service isn't just popular with everyday users, scammers and fraudsters constantly make WhatsApp a target for their crimes. With cyber crooks doing anything they can to try and steal your personal data, experts are wanting to make sure users of the popular messaging app are on high alert for any unusual messages. Particularly, UK users are being warned about a highly popular and effective scam that frequently makes the rounds on WhatsApp. One of the easiest scams for criminals to pull off on unsuspecting victims is the infamous 'Hi mum' attack, reports the Express. This scam starts off with a simple 'Hi mum' or 'Hi dad' message. If the user responds, then the scammer will usually start by saying that they have lost their phone and need money to buy a new one. While many people may believe this scam is easy to spot, in the UK alone criminals have managed to steal hundreds of thousands of pounds from their victims. According to recent stats from Santander UK, the most successful form of this scam seems to be when the fraudsters pretend to be someone's son. Pretending to be a daughter was the next most effective trick, which was followed by being a mum. As this is such an effective scam, experts from Action Fraud have released a reminder to WhatsApp users on social media on what to do if they receive an unusual message from a 'family member'. Posting on X, Action Fraud said: "Beware of fraudsters posing as friends or family, and claiming to need urgent financial help. "If a family member or friend makes an unusual request on WhatsApp, always call the person outside of WhatsApp to confirm their identity." As well as being alert, Action Fraud is urging users to block any weird messages and report it if you believe it could be part of a wider messaging scam. Action Fraud went on to explain: "Report spam messages or block a sender within WhatsApp. Press and hold on the message bubble, select 'Report' and then follow the instructions. "If you lost money as a result of the scam message, please report it to Action Fraud." For those unsure about a message they have received, one of the easiest ways to verify the true identity of the person is to head to your contacts and phone the person who is supposedly messaging you from the number you have saved. You will quickly know if the message you received is a scam or not. This isn't the only scam that Action Fraud is alerting social media users about. They are also urging people to stay alert when buying tickets for upcoming concerts. You are advised to make sure you are using official ticketing websites and to pay with your card instead of making bank transfers. Scammers will also try to abuse the generosity of people by impersonating well-known charities or say they are raising money for a fake cause. No matter what messaging service you prefer, everyone should make sure they are double checking messages they receive and reporting them if they feel like they are about to be scammed. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Wales Online
06-07-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
'Vanishing' warning issued to anyone looking to buy a puppy
'Vanishing' warning issued to anyone looking to buy a puppy Pet fraud is surging, with one particular scam catching people out Paul Hampson said the average victim lost £307 to the scam, but fraud experts have revealed they have seen much bigger losses (Image: Getty ) Experts are warning the public against cruel scammers following a sharp rise in online puppy scams, leaving victims 'thousands' of pounds out of pocket. According to Action Fraud, reports of pet fraud surged by 24 per cent in 2023 compared to the previous year. And experts predict it is rising year on year. Fraudsters are posing as breeders online - using fake listings, stolen images and even counterfeit websites to lure in unsuspecting buyers. Victims often asked to pay deposits or additional fees for delivery and insurance, only to find the 'seller' vanishing without a trace. Action Fraud's data shows the average victim lost £307, but fraud experts have revealed they have seen much bigger losses. Paul Hampson, director of CEL Solicitors, said the scams are causing significant emotional and financial distress: 'Buying a puppy should be a joyful and exciting experience, but it is turning into heartbreak for many. 'These scams can be incredibly convincing and how devastating the aftermath is for victims. People have paid thousands for new puppies, particularly during the Coronavirus lockdown, and the dogs just didn't exist. 'These fraudsters know how to pull on heartstrings. They'll show you stolen pictures of adorable puppies, promise quick delivery and then disappear once they've got your money. It's calculated and it's cruel.' Article continues below Scammers frequently target buyers on social media marketplaces, using urgent language to pressure victims into sending money quickly - often via untraceable methods such as bank transfers or gift cards. 'Look out for poorly written or vague ads and sellers pushing for a quick sale. They might pressure you or make it seem like others are interested to speed up your decision. This could include using multiple fake accounts to comment on posts,' Paul said. 'You should also ask for vet records or proof of pedigree, if the seller is reluctant to share this, you should be questioning 'why?'' CEL Solicitors, which specialises in fraud recovery, has helped victims reclaim lost funds and is now warning prospective pet owners to stay alert. 'Always research the breeder, ask to see the puppy in person or at least have a live video call, and never pay using unsecured methods,' Paul advised. 'If something feels off, it probably is. While offers on social media and other platforms might seem tempting, sticking to recognised sources is best.' To safely rehome a four-legged friend, consider adopting through charities like Dogs Trust, RSPCA or Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, which do not require upfront payments. Or look for Kennel Club-approved breeders, who undergo thorough checks. Article continues below Paul said: 'If you do send money to a scammer, report it to your bank and Action Fraud as soon as possible. Report the account to the platform you encountered the scam on. Seek legal support as firms might be able to recover the funds you lost.'
The Guardian
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Don't roll with it: the ticket scams targeting Oasis fans and other gig-goers
Your favourite band is playing, and you're desperate to go, but don't have a ticket. Unfortunately, scammers are trying to cash in on this summer's must-see gigs, claiming they can get you into sold-out events. So be on your guard. The Oasis gigs, that kicked off on Friday, are among the big-ticket events being used by fraudsters to trick unsuspecting music fans. Earlier this year, Lloyds Bank said that more than 1,000 customers had fallen victim to scams that offered access to the eagerly anticipated concerts. Fans lost an average of £436 each, with the biggest loss more than £1,700. According to the UK government, in 2024 more than £1.6m was lost to gig ticket fraud, and 3,700 reports were made to Action Fraud. Almost half of the Action Fraud cases related to offers made on social media, and there have been many stories from people who have lost money after responding to posts on Facebook. Some have reported that their Facebook pages have been hijacked and then used by criminals to trick their family and friends into thinking ticket sales were genuine. Scammers are bold enough to answer questions before running off with your cash. A reader told us he had been convinced that tickets were genuine before transferring £150 to pay for them – as soon as he had, the fraudster disappeared. Posts on platforms, such as Facebook, claim that people have spare tickets to sell, and say that they can show you proof before you pay. Scroll through posts on fan pages, or on X, and there are hundreds of people claiming to be selling. Some will be genuine, but there is no way of telling from just looking at them. You will be asked for a payment – probably by a bank transfer – in exchange for the tickets. If a friend or family has posted that they are selling the tickets you want, contact them directly rather than dealing with them through social media. Find the website of the venue or band – it will provide links to take you to the legitimate sites to use for ticket sales and resales. Use a credit or debit card to pay online – these give you extra protections if the tickets do not turn up. If you get an email saying tickets are available, check the address – Ticketmaster emails, for example, should come from noreply@ Rather than clicking on links sent in emails, go directly to the ticket seller's page. Make sure any company you buy through is a member of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (Star). It has a redress scheme if things go wrong. Ticketmaster also warns to beware of printed tickets, as scammers can distribute the same ticket multiple times.
