Latest news with #SantanderUK
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Daily Record
Parents who use WhatsApp warned to ignore two-word phrase or risk losing money
The notorious scam is still doing the rounds - and it's an alarmingly successful method Billions of users worldwide use WhatsApp, but now they are all being warned that one scam is still doing its rounds - and successfully. Despite countless warnings, scammers are still able to steal thousands from those who do not know about it, or fall for it and send their details. The infamous parent scam is a disturbingly effective technique for criminals to extract cash from vulnerable WhatsApp users. For those unfamiliar with this trick, the text often start off with something innocent such as "Hi mum" or "Hi dad" and once the person falls for it, the scammers swoop in and con them. Should the target fall for the initial approach, the scammers make up a story about losing their phone and that they need money for a replacement. Whilst it might sound like no parent would fall for this, the scammers are becoming smarter, and victims have been conned out of thousands. Latest data from Santander UK reveals that fraudsters impersonating sons have achieved the greatest success, with those pretending to be daughters coming second. This was then followed by fake mums. In a bid to stop further people becoming victims of this con, Action Fraud released a new alert encouraging WhatsApp users to remain cautious, reports Bristol Live. "Beware of fraudsters posing as friends or family, and claiming to need urgent financial help," Action Fraud warned in a post on X (previously Twitter). Their guidance stated: "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 further encourages people to remain alert and take swift action by blocking any odd messages and reporting them if they believe they've been targeted by a messaging scam. They explained: "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." The advice is simple - if you receive a text from an unfamiliar sender, don't respond. If the message purports to be from a family member, ignore the text and ring your relative directly to confirm it's genuine and establish whether it's fraudulent.
Daily Record
14-07-2025
- 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'.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bank issues warning over building projects scams after seeing jump in cases
A major bank is seeing a jump in criminals using building works as a ruse to steal customers' money. Criminals may ask for hefty deposits for work around the home or garden to be carried out before disappearing. Or they may make false claims to have qualifications and leave work behind that is severely shoddy or even dangerous. Santander UK highlighted the issue in its quarterly 'scamtracker', which tracks trends in authorised push payment (APP) scams, where people are tricked into transferring money directly to a fraudster. Purchase scams accounted for more than half (57%) of claims received between April and June, Santander said. Within this, there was a 22% increase in the volume of scams involving building works in the second quarter of this year compared with the previous quarter. The bank said this is the fastest rising tactic it is seeing being used by scammers and the most common driver of purchase scams for customers aged 35-plus. A significant jump was seen among customers aged 80-plus, with building works making up more than half (58%) of all purchase scam claims received from this age group, up from just over a third (36%) in the first quarter of 2025. The bank's data also indicated that criminals are homing in on works linked to roofing and gardening or landscaping. Looking beyond just building scams, the scamtracker found that £15.7 million was stolen overall from customers between April and June 2025, which was a 15% decrease compared with the previous three-month period. Chris Ainsley, head of fraud risk management at Santander UK said: 'While the total amount stolen by scammers has declined over the last quarter, don't let this lull you into a false sense of security. 'With longer days and warmer weather, it's a popular time for us all to think about jobs around our homes and gardens, and criminals are capitalising on this, parting customers with more than £700,000 between April and June alone. 'Don't let scammers cast a shadow over your summer and; stay alert to anything that sounds too good to be true.' The bank suggested that, to help guard against scammers, people seek recommendations from friends and family, source several quotes before agreeing to work and be wary of anyone cold calling. It said people should not feel under pressure to agree a deal on the spot. Alongside building scams, Santander also highlighted a growing trend of criminals sending scam text messages purporting to be from organisations such as utility companies, government bodies, or linked to winter fuel payments or penalty charge notices. Fake messages may link to a website that asks customers for their card details and allows criminals to register their card to a new digital wallet. Data from the bank shows that scam claims involving in-app digital wallets have increased by more than 70% in the second quarter of this year, compared with the first quarter, with more than £1.8 million stolen between April and June 2025.
The Independent
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Bank issues warning over building projects scams after seeing jump in cases
A major bank is seeing a jump in criminals using building works as a ruse to steal customers' money. Criminals may ask for hefty deposits for work around the home or garden to be carried out before disappearing. Or they may make false claims to have qualifications and leave work behind that is severely shoddy or even dangerous. Santander UK highlighted the issue in its quarterly 'scamtracker', which tracks trends in authorised push payment (APP) scams, where people are tricked into transferring money directly to a fraudster. Purchase scams accounted for more than half (57%) of claims received between April and June, Santander said. Within this, there was a 22% increase in the volume of scams involving building works in the second quarter of this year compared with the previous quarter. The bank said this is the fastest rising tactic it is seeing being used by scammers and the most common driver of purchase scams for customers aged 35-plus. A significant jump was seen among customers aged 80-plus, with building works making up more than half (58%) of all purchase scam claims received from this age group, up from just over a third (36%) in the first quarter of 2025. The bank's data also indicated that criminals are homing in on works linked to roofing and gardening or landscaping. Looking beyond just building scams, the scamtracker found that £15.7 million was stolen overall from customers between April and June 2025, which was a 15% decrease compared with the previous three-month period. Chris Ainsley, head of fraud risk management at Santander UK said: 'While the total amount stolen by scammers has declined over the last quarter, don't let this lull you into a false sense of security. 'With longer days and warmer weather, it's a popular time for us all to think about jobs around our homes and gardens, and criminals are capitalising on this, parting customers with more than £700,000 between April and June alone. 'Don't let scammers cast a shadow over your summer and; stay alert to anything that sounds too good to be true.' The bank suggested that, to help guard against scammers, people seek recommendations from friends and family, source several quotes before agreeing to work and be wary of anyone cold calling. It said people should not feel under pressure to agree a deal on the spot. Alongside building scams, Santander also highlighted a growing trend of criminals sending scam text messages purporting to be from organisations such as utility companies, government bodies, or linked to winter fuel payments or penalty charge notices. Fake messages may link to a website that asks customers for their card details and allows criminals to register their card to a new digital wallet. Data from the bank shows that scam claims involving in-app digital wallets have increased by more than 70% in the second quarter of this year, compared with the first quarter, with more than £1.8 million stolen between April and June 2025.
Glasgow Times
11-07-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Santander giving away free £500 to customers in prize draw
Rivalled by the likes of Barclays, NatWest, Nationwide, HSBC UK, Lloyds and more, the bank is launching its new European Getaway Prize Draw in partnership with Mastercard, The campaign gives eligible customers the chance to win one of six unforgettable European trips, each including £500 spending money, simply by using their Santander Mastercard debit or credit card. Each month, one lucky customer will win a European getaway for two people, with flights, accommodation, airport transfers, an experience to the value of £500 and £500 spending money included. Banking is changing, and so must we. We're pleased to announce that we've acquired @TSB from Banco Sabadell, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. This move will provide us with the scale needed to accelerate our transformation and become the best bank for all our… — Santander UK (@santanderuk) July 1, 2025 Monthly destinations include Dubrovnik in July, before Santorini in August, Lisbon in Portugal in September, Paris in France in October, before Stockholm and Prague round off the year in November and December, respectively. The prize draw is open to all personal Santander Mastercard debit or credit cardholders. To enter, customers just need to opt in via the Mastercard Priceless page. This will be made available to customers through multiple channels, including emails, the online banking website, the mobile app and social media. Recommended reading: Once enrolled, every qualifying purchase in the UK earns one entry into the draw, with purchases made abroad earning two entries - no minimum spend required. Gerry Davies, Payments Commercial Director, Santander UK, said in a statement issued this week: 'Summer has well and truly begun and to celebrate, we're thrilled to be offering customers multiple chances to win their next trip for free - from July until the end of the year. "Customers can spend abroad without having to worry about additional fees with our Edge current accounts and credit card offering fee-free spending on holidays.' The promotion runs from 1 July to 31 December 2025.
