Latest news with #AnnyaBurskys
Metro
8 hours ago
- Metro
Sextortion scam warning to students after rise in number of younger victims
Students are being warned of the dangers of falling prey to 'sextortion' scammers amid a rise in the number of young people being targeted on social media. One in six (17%) who took part in a survey for Nationwide Building Society said they have shared intimate images of themselves. Some 26% also said they have shared private information. Nationwide said that over the past year, its fraud team has seen a growing trend of blackmail scams, with criminals obtaining explicit images or private information and threatening to share it. Annya Burskys, head of fraud operations at Nationwide, said: 'Blackmail scams are often linked to romance scams and are particularly harrowing for victims. Sadly, we have seen a rise in this type of activity. 'Scammers specialise in developing relationships with their victims, often over time, making them feel comfortable and special. 'They often share explicit images or personal information first, so the victim feels comfortable or under pressure to reciprocate. 'Once they have the private images or information that's when they strike. 'They will suddenly switch, demand money and threaten to send the photos or information to friends, family and work colleagues. It's heartbreaking. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'It's vital you think carefully before you share anything private and report any form of blackmail or intimidation immediately to police, family, friends, or your bank or building society.' The survey also indicated that one in six students (17%) are exposed to suspect content such as scams at least once week, including fake goods being offered, fraudsters impersonating parents, money mule scams, investment scams, rogue traders and tenancy and rental deposit scams, as well as blackmail scams. Nationwide has a 'scamchecker' service encouraging people to contact it if they have doubts about a payment they are being asked to make. More Trending While students are aware of being targeted by scams, they are also concerned about their family and friends falling victim. Six in 10 (62%) worry about parents, grandparents and elderly relatives being scammed and three-quarters (75%) are concerned about vulnerable people. More than half of (52%) of students said they rely on parents and grandparents for advice on finance matters and 58% rely on university or college advice. View More » Nationwide commissioned Censuswide to survey 2,000 students across the UK in May for the research. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Woman, 69, stabbed to death with police hunting for attacker thought to have stolen Rolex MORE: Moment driver sent holidaymakers into air after smashing into them over Airbnb row MORE: Man who tortured woman 'made her phone mum to say goodbye' during 10-hour ordeal
The Independent
10 hours ago
- The Independent
Sextortion scam warning to students as building society sees ‘growing trend'
Students are being warned of the risks of blackmail scams, where criminals may threaten to share explicit images or personal information they hold about their victim. One in six (17%) students who took part in a survey for Nationwide Building Society said they have shared intimate images of themselves. The society warned some people could be putting themselves at risk of 'sextortion' – a type of blackmail where criminals threaten to share sexual images. Nationwide said that over the past year, its fraud team has seen a growing trend of blackmail scams, with younger generations being targeted on social media platforms. Some 26% of students surveyed also said that they have shared private information. More than a quarter (28%) of students who took part in the survey research said have been scammed in some way and half (50%) worry about falling victim to fraud. Annya Burskys, head of fraud operations at Nationwide, said: 'Blackmail scams are often linked to romance scams and are particularly harrowing for victims. Sadly, we have seen a rise in this type of activity. 'Scammers specialise in developing relationships with their victims, often over time, making them feel comfortable and special. They often share explicit images or personal information first, so the victim feels comfortable or under pressure to reciprocate. 'Once they have the private images or information that's when they strike. 'They will suddenly switch, demand money and threaten to send the photos or information to friends, family and work colleagues. It's heartbreaking. 'It's vital you think carefully before you share anything private and report any form of blackmail or intimidation immediately to police, family, friends, or your bank or building society.' The survey also indicated that one in six students (17%) are exposed to suspect content such as scams at least once week, including fake goods being offered, fraudsters impersonating parents, money mule scams, investment scams, rogue traders and tenancy and rental deposit scams, as well as blackmail scams. Nationwide has a 'scamchecker' service encouraging people to contact it if they have doubts about a payment they are being asked to make. While students are aware of being targeted by scams, they are also concerned about their family and friends falling victim. Six in 10 (62%) worry about parents, grandparents and elderly relatives being scammed and three-quarters (75%) are concerned about vulnerable people. More than half of (52%) of students said they rely on parents and grandparents for advice on finance matters and 58% rely on university or college advice. Nationwide commissioned Censuswide to survey 2,000 students across the UK in May for the research.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Earn up to £800 a day': job scammers using calls or texts to lure victims
Out of the blue you receive a call or a text offering you a job. It sounds great – it's remote working and you could earn up to £800 a day. If you're interested, you just need to contact the sender via the WhatsApp number provided. The job is pretty easy: you are asked to like and share content – usually on TikTok. 'After you've starting liking and sharing content you receive a small payment, which is fraudulent funds from other people involved in the scam,' says Annya Burskys, the head of fraud operations at Nationwide building society. 'Then you're told that you need to pay a sum to unlock higher earnings – you may be told it's for training. 'Some of that money is used to pay other victims, and some goes into the hands of the organised crime gang.' Burskys says the original messages are proving an attractive proposition to people – particularly students. 'We're starting to see an uptick, particularly in the 16-25 age group,' she says. 'Last year, we weren't seeing these daily. Now it's multiple cases a day, either of people who have sent money, or we're receiving reports from other banks who have customers who have sent money to customers' accounts.' In the latter cases, victims may have been persuaded to act as 'money mules' – allowing their accounts to be used by the scammers to process payments. As well as handing over money, or accounts, victims may also find that the bank and identity details they are asked for are used for other scams. Burskys says typical losses have been in the hundreds or thousands of pounds. 'It's not the highest value – the problem is the volume,' she says. 'It happens very quickly – from setup to speaking to realising you're a scam victim is days, whereas your typical investment scam plays out over months or years.' As universities and schools break up, and students start looking for summer work, they need to beware the scammers. Texts claim to be from a recruitment agency – sometimes using the name of a legitimate company – or from TikTok and say there is work available. Some mention your CV, as if you have sent it in. The texts say you can earn hundreds of pounds a day (the figure £800 seems to appear a lot), and ask you to get in touch via a WhatsApp number. The phone calls are similar. In one this week an automated voice claimed to be from the recruitment agency Indeed and said a job was available and if the recipient was interested they should get in touch via WhatsApp. The phone number seemingly belonged to a regular UK mobile. The first message asks you to register your interest in a job. The scammers will then tell you the job involves liking and sharing content – probably TikTok videos. You might be asked for your details when you sign up, or when it comes time to receive some pay. You may receive a first 'wage' but then you will be asked to pay for training, or similar, so you can unlock higher earnings. Beware of any unsolicited message claiming to offer work. This is not a typical way for a legitimate agency to approach people. The agency Indeed says: 'Indeed never contacts jobseekers directly by phone on behalf of employers using our platform to find and hire new employees.' Burskys says if you hear from a recruiter or company offering you a job you should 'use Companies House, use LinkedIn to research them'. Companies House will show you if a company is operating, who its directors are and where it is based. You can check this against any details you have been given. If you recognise the name of the recruitment company, go to its website and see whether the job is advertised on there. In the UK, forward scam texts to 7726. Many recruiters have tips on how to carry out your job search safely, such as these from Indeed.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
‘Earn up to £800 a day': job scammers using calls or texts to lure victims
Out of the blue you receive a call or a text offering you a job. It sounds great – it's remote working and you could earn up to £800 a day. If you're interested, you just need to contact the sender via the WhatsApp number provided. The job is pretty easy: you are asked to like and share content – usually on TikTok. 'After you've starting liking and sharing content you receive a small payment, which is fraudulent funds from other people involved in the scam,' says Annya Burskys, the head of fraud operations at Nationwide building society. 'Then you're told that you need to pay a sum to unlock higher earnings – you may be told it's for training. 'Some of that money is used to pay other victims, and some goes into the hands of the organised crime gang.' Burskys says the original messages are proving an attractive proposition to people – particularly students. 'We're starting to see an uptick, particularly in the 16-25 age group,' she says. 'Last year, we weren't seeing these daily. Now it's multiple cases a day, either of people who have sent money, or we're receiving reports from other banks who have customers who have sent money to customers' accounts.' In the latter cases, victims may have been persuaded to act as 'money mules' – allowing their accounts to be used by the scammers to process payments. As well as handing over money, or accounts, victims may also find that the bank and identity details they are asked for are used for other scams. Burskys says typical losses have been in the hundreds or thousands of pounds. 'It's not the highest value – the problem is the volume,' she says. 'It happens very quickly – from setup to speaking to realising you're a scam victim is days, whereas your typical investment scam plays out over months or years.' As universities and schools break up, and students start looking for summer work, they need to beware the scammers. Texts claim to be from a recruitment agency – sometimes using the name of a legitimate company – or from TikTok and say there is work available. Some mention your CV, as if you have sent it in. The texts say you can earn hundreds of pounds a day (the figure £800 seems to appear a lot), and ask you to get in touch via a WhatsApp number. The phone calls are similar. In one this week an automated voice claimed to be from the recruitment agency Indeed and said a job was available and if the recipient was interested they should get in touch via WhatsApp. The phone number seemingly belonged to a regular UK mobile. The first message asks you to register your interest in a job. The scammers will then tell you the job involves liking and sharing content – probably TikTok videos. You might be asked for your details when you sign up, or when it comes time to receive some pay. You may receive a first 'wage' but then you will be asked to pay for training, or similar, so you can unlock higher earnings. Beware of any unsolicited message claiming to offer work. This is not a typical way for a legitimate agency to approach people. The agency Indeed says: 'Indeed never contacts jobseekers directly by phone on behalf of employers using our platform to find and hire new employees.' Burskys says if you hear from a recruiter or company offering you a job you should 'use Companies House, use LinkedIn to research them'. Companies House will show you if a company is operating, who its directors are and where it is based. You can check this against any details you have been given. If you recognise the name of the recruitment company, go to its website and see whether the job is advertised on there. In the UK, forward scam texts to 7726. Many recruiters have tips on how to carry out your job search safely, such as these from Indeed.
The Independent
10-02-2025
- The Independent
36% of online daters ‘tell white lies to make a good impression'
A third (36%) of single people admit to telling white lies about themselves while on dating websites to make a good impression, a survey indicates. But while some admit to telling small untruths, 11% are not confident that they could spot a romance scam, where a criminal uses a fake online identity before manipulating or stealing money from their victim, Nationwide Building Society found. Nearly half (46%) would ignore red flags and 44% would continue messaging or meeting someone they have met online, even if something did not seem right, according to the research released ahead of Valentine's Day on February 14. The research also found nearly a quarter (24%) of people feel under pressure to have a date around Valentine's Day, while nearly three in ten (29%) feel lonely. Over a third (37%) of people surveyed by Censuswide in January had encountered social media profiles that seemed 'too good to be true,' while 27% of dating singles said they have been contacted by a catfish (someone pretending to be a person they are not). Everyone wants to make a good impression when dating, but there's a clear line between harmless self-presentation and intentional deception Amanda Burskys, Nationwide Building Society According to the survey of more than 2,000 single people, the most common white lies people tell online about themselves include using old or altered photos, fabricating or exaggerating hobbies such as music, sport or reading lists, inflating a job role or salary, pretending to agree with a date's opinions and telling fibs about height. Annya Burskys, head of fraud operations at Nationwide Building Society, said: 'Everyone wants to make a good impression when dating, but there's a clear line between harmless self-presentation and intentional deception. 'Scammers sadly take advantage of people looking for love all year round, but the stakes are higher at this time of year, with our research showing many feel under pressure to have a date around Valentine's Day while many are lonely. 'Scammers know what they are doing and won't stop at exploiting unsuspecting victims, especially around Valentine's Day when emotions run high. If in doubt, speak to your bank or building society for support before making a payment you have suspicions about.' Here are some tips for online daters from Nationwide: 1. Look out for overly flattering photos or inconsistent details in someone's story. 2. Do not send money to someone you have not met in person. Be particularly cautious if someone you have just met online asks for money or favours, even if they claim to have an emergency. 3. Report suspect activity. If something does not feel right, report the profile to the platform or dating app. If someone thinks they have been scammed, they should tell their payments provider and the police.
