Latest news with #SiobhanBlagbrough
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- South Wales Argus
5 airport scams as experts are warning travellers
Around 22 million Brits (38%) have either fallen for a scam or know someone who has, while 13.4 million (20%) say they'd be more likely to click a suspicious link on holiday, and £2.7 billion was stolen through fraud and cybercrime in the past year. The average loss per victim was £7,596.34, enough to cover your entire trip. So, what should we be watching out for? Fake messages 'Scammers are hijacking the names of trusted brands like sending fake emails or texts claiming there's an urgent problem with your hotel booking," says Siobhan Blagbrough, Financial Crime Manager at Ocean Finance. "You'll be asked to re-enter your card details on a fake website. Once you do, the scammers charge your card and vanish. Even clicking a button, like 'accept cookies', can download malware to your device.' Flight Change Texts Posting a photo of your boarding pass on social media might seem harmless, but scammers can use those details to send fake flight updates just before check-in. You're told your flight's cancelled and sent a link to reconfirm. But it leads to a spoof site that drains your card. 'Delayed Baggage' Compensation 'You arrive at your destination, but your luggage hasn't," explains Siobhan. "Then comes a message from what looks like the airport or airline offering you instant compensation, just click the link. These scams target genuine airline mishaps to trick people into handing over banking details. No airline will text you compensation links without formal contact. Always go through an official website or app." Free Wi-Fi trap in airports and hotels This is a sneaky one, particularly as many people try to avoid costly data bills on holiday, so are more likely to use free wifi hotspots in airports and hotels. 'Join the wrong 'free Wi-Fi' at a café abroad and you could be connecting to a scammer's hotspot," says Siobhan. "Every password you type, every site you visit, they can see it all. If you're logging into banking apps, emails or payment sites, they've got everything they need to take over your accounts. Stick to mobile data or a trusted VPN.' Airport phone charging This is another one that's so tempting, particularly if your battery is running low, but beware free charging, as it can be a trap. 'Plugging your phone into a public USB port could unknowingly be allowing data to be hacked or malware to be installed," says Siobhan. "Bring your own plug and cable, and always use a standard wall socket, not a USB-only port.' She adds: 'Fraud used to mean a stolen wallet or dodgy market stall. Now it's emails, texts, calls, and even the plug socket at the airport. These scams are slick, fast and emotionally manipulative. They'll catch you off guard while you're in holiday mode, and before you know it, your money's gone. 'The most common trick is to pile on the pressure, scammers love using urgency to force quick decisions. If you notice something off, slow down, take a step back, and double check.' 3 smart ways to protect your money on holiday Don't click - go direct: Whether it's a fake message or dodgy baggage compensation, never click links in emails or texts. Go straight to the official app or website and log in there. If in doubt, assume it's a scam until your proven otherwise. Use credit cards for extra protection: Credit cards offer legal protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. That means if you pay for something between £100 and £30,000 and something goes wrong - the company goes bust or you don't receive what you pay for – you could get your money back. Even if you only pay part of the cost by credit card, the whole transaction might still be covered. Avoid public Wi-Fi and USB ports: Avoid using public Wi-Fi for anything sensitive like banking. And never charge your phone through random USB ports. Bring your own charger and plug it into a proper socket. What to do if you think you've been scammed 'If you think you've been scammed, act fast,' urges Siobhan. 'Contact your bank straight away - if the payment hasn't gone through yet, they might be able to stop it. If it has, they can talk you through what to do next. 'Always report the scam to Action Fraud, and if it came via email, forward it to report@ so it can be shut down before someone else falls for it.'
North Wales Chronicle
7 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
5 airport scams as experts are warning travellers
Around 22 million Brits (38%) have either fallen for a scam or know someone who has, while 13.4 million (20%) say they'd be more likely to click a suspicious link on holiday, and £2.7 billion was stolen through fraud and cybercrime in the past year. The average loss per victim was £7,596.34, enough to cover your entire trip. So, what should we be watching out for? 'Scammers are hijacking the names of trusted brands like sending fake emails or texts claiming there's an urgent problem with your hotel booking," says Siobhan Blagbrough, Financial Crime Manager at Ocean Finance. "You'll be asked to re-enter your card details on a fake website. Once you do, the scammers charge your card and vanish. Even clicking a button, like 'accept cookies', can download malware to your device.' Posting a photo of your boarding pass on social media might seem harmless, but scammers can use those details to send fake flight updates just before check-in. You're told your flight's cancelled and sent a link to reconfirm. But it leads to a spoof site that drains your card. 'You arrive at your destination, but your luggage hasn't," explains Siobhan. "Then comes a message from what looks like the airport or airline offering you instant compensation, just click the link. These scams target genuine airline mishaps to trick people into handing over banking details. No airline will text you compensation links without formal contact. Always go through an official website or app." This is a sneaky one, particularly as many people try to avoid costly data bills on holiday, so are more likely to use free wifi hotspots in airports and hotels. 'Join the wrong 'free Wi-Fi' at a café abroad and you could be connecting to a scammer's hotspot," says Siobhan. "Every password you type, every site you visit, they can see it all. If you're logging into banking apps, emails or payment sites, they've got everything they need to take over your accounts. Stick to mobile data or a trusted VPN.' This is another one that's so tempting, particularly if your battery is running low, but beware free charging, as it can be a trap. 'Plugging your phone into a public USB port could unknowingly be allowing data to be hacked or malware to be installed," says Siobhan. "Bring your own plug and cable, and always use a standard wall socket, not a USB-only port.' She adds: 'Fraud used to mean a stolen wallet or dodgy market stall. Now it's emails, texts, calls, and even the plug socket at the airport. These scams are slick, fast and emotionally manipulative. They'll catch you off guard while you're in holiday mode, and before you know it, your money's gone. 'The most common trick is to pile on the pressure, scammers love using urgency to force quick decisions. If you notice something off, slow down, take a step back, and double check.' 'If you think you've been scammed, act fast,' urges Siobhan. 'Contact your bank straight away - if the payment hasn't gone through yet, they might be able to stop it. If it has, they can talk you through what to do next. 'Always report the scam to Action Fraud, and if it came via email, forward it to report@ so it can be shut down before someone else falls for it.'
Glasgow Times
7 days ago
- Glasgow Times
5 airport scams as experts are warning travellers
Around 22 million Brits (38%) have either fallen for a scam or know someone who has, while 13.4 million (20%) say they'd be more likely to click a suspicious link on holiday, and £2.7 billion was stolen through fraud and cybercrime in the past year. The average loss per victim was £7,596.34, enough to cover your entire trip. So, what should we be watching out for? Fake messages 'Scammers are hijacking the names of trusted brands like sending fake emails or texts claiming there's an urgent problem with your hotel booking," says Siobhan Blagbrough, Financial Crime Manager at Ocean Finance. "You'll be asked to re-enter your card details on a fake website. Once you do, the scammers charge your card and vanish. Even clicking a button, like 'accept cookies', can download malware to your device.' Flight Change Texts Posting a photo of your boarding pass on social media might seem harmless, but scammers can use those details to send fake flight updates just before check-in. You're told your flight's cancelled and sent a link to reconfirm. But it leads to a spoof site that drains your card. 'Delayed Baggage' Compensation 'You arrive at your destination, but your luggage hasn't," explains Siobhan. "Then comes a message from what looks like the airport or airline offering you instant compensation, just click the link. These scams target genuine airline mishaps to trick people into handing over banking details. No airline will text you compensation links without formal contact. Always go through an official website or app." Free Wi-Fi trap in airports and hotels This is a sneaky one, particularly as many people try to avoid costly data bills on holiday, so are more likely to use free wifi hotspots in airports and hotels. 'Join the wrong 'free Wi-Fi' at a café abroad and you could be connecting to a scammer's hotspot," says Siobhan. "Every password you type, every site you visit, they can see it all. If you're logging into banking apps, emails or payment sites, they've got everything they need to take over your accounts. Stick to mobile data or a trusted VPN.' Airport phone charging This is another one that's so tempting, particularly if your battery is running low, but beware free charging, as it can be a trap. 'Plugging your phone into a public USB port could unknowingly be allowing data to be hacked or malware to be installed," says Siobhan. "Bring your own plug and cable, and always use a standard wall socket, not a USB-only port.' She adds: 'Fraud used to mean a stolen wallet or dodgy market stall. Now it's emails, texts, calls, and even the plug socket at the airport. These scams are slick, fast and emotionally manipulative. They'll catch you off guard while you're in holiday mode, and before you know it, your money's gone. 'The most common trick is to pile on the pressure, scammers love using urgency to force quick decisions. If you notice something off, slow down, take a step back, and double check.' 3 smart ways to protect your money on holiday Don't click - go direct: Whether it's a fake message or dodgy baggage compensation, never click links in emails or texts. Go straight to the official app or website and log in there. If in doubt, assume it's a scam until your proven otherwise. Use credit cards for extra protection: Credit cards offer legal protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. That means if you pay for something between £100 and £30,000 and something goes wrong - the company goes bust or you don't receive what you pay for – you could get your money back. Even if you only pay part of the cost by credit card, the whole transaction might still be covered. Avoid public Wi-Fi and USB ports: Avoid using public Wi-Fi for anything sensitive like banking. And never charge your phone through random USB ports. Bring your own charger and plug it into a proper socket. What to do if you think you've been scammed 'If you think you've been scammed, act fast,' urges Siobhan. 'Contact your bank straight away - if the payment hasn't gone through yet, they might be able to stop it. If it has, they can talk you through what to do next. 'Always report the scam to Action Fraud, and if it came via email, forward it to report@ so it can be shut down before someone else falls for it.'
Rhyl Journal
7 days ago
- Rhyl Journal
5 airport scams as experts are warning travellers
Around 22 million Brits (38%) have either fallen for a scam or know someone who has, while 13.4 million (20%) say they'd be more likely to click a suspicious link on holiday, and £2.7 billion was stolen through fraud and cybercrime in the past year. The average loss per victim was £7,596.34, enough to cover your entire trip. So, what should we be watching out for? 'Scammers are hijacking the names of trusted brands like sending fake emails or texts claiming there's an urgent problem with your hotel booking," says Siobhan Blagbrough, Financial Crime Manager at Ocean Finance. "You'll be asked to re-enter your card details on a fake website. Once you do, the scammers charge your card and vanish. Even clicking a button, like 'accept cookies', can download malware to your device.' Posting a photo of your boarding pass on social media might seem harmless, but scammers can use those details to send fake flight updates just before check-in. You're told your flight's cancelled and sent a link to reconfirm. But it leads to a spoof site that drains your card. 'You arrive at your destination, but your luggage hasn't," explains Siobhan. "Then comes a message from what looks like the airport or airline offering you instant compensation, just click the link. These scams target genuine airline mishaps to trick people into handing over banking details. No airline will text you compensation links without formal contact. Always go through an official website or app." This is a sneaky one, particularly as many people try to avoid costly data bills on holiday, so are more likely to use free wifi hotspots in airports and hotels. 'Join the wrong 'free Wi-Fi' at a café abroad and you could be connecting to a scammer's hotspot," says Siobhan. "Every password you type, every site you visit, they can see it all. If you're logging into banking apps, emails or payment sites, they've got everything they need to take over your accounts. Stick to mobile data or a trusted VPN.' This is another one that's so tempting, particularly if your battery is running low, but beware free charging, as it can be a trap. 'Plugging your phone into a public USB port could unknowingly be allowing data to be hacked or malware to be installed," says Siobhan. "Bring your own plug and cable, and always use a standard wall socket, not a USB-only port.' She adds: 'Fraud used to mean a stolen wallet or dodgy market stall. Now it's emails, texts, calls, and even the plug socket at the airport. These scams are slick, fast and emotionally manipulative. They'll catch you off guard while you're in holiday mode, and before you know it, your money's gone. 'The most common trick is to pile on the pressure, scammers love using urgency to force quick decisions. If you notice something off, slow down, take a step back, and double check.' 'If you think you've been scammed, act fast,' urges Siobhan. 'Contact your bank straight away - if the payment hasn't gone through yet, they might be able to stop it. If it has, they can talk you through what to do next. 'Always report the scam to Action Fraud, and if it came via email, forward it to report@ so it can be shut down before someone else falls for it.'
Wales Online
12-07-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
'Caution needed' as HMRC sends letters to four million taxpayers
'Caution needed' as HMRC sends letters to four million taxpayers A financial expert has issued a warning as people are due to receive correspondence from HMRC Scammers use the opportunity to target people who are expecting a genuine letter (Image: coldsnowstorm via Getty Images ) HMRC is issuing P800 tax calculation letters to four million Brits who may have overpaid income tax, including PAYE employees and pensioners who may have been taxed incorrectly. But as these refund letters land on doormats, scammers are seizing the opportunity to pose as HMRC, tricking unsuspecting people into clicking phishing links or handing over personal information. That's according to experts at Ocean Finance, who have carried out new research involving 1,500 UK adults. The firm said that it found one in three (38%) had either been scammed or know someone who has. One in five (20%) said they worried about fraudsters posing as trusted organisations like banks, energy firms, or government departments. It also found that the risk was growing - 20% of Brits admitted they'd click on a suspicious link, making them easy targets for phishing scams. According to Action Fraud, in the year to July 9 alone, 367,456 reports of cybercrime and fraud were made in the UK, with £2.8bn lost to scammers. Siobhan Blagbrough, financial crime manager at Ocean Finance, said: 'Scammers know tax refund letters are landing this summer, which gives them the perfect cover. People waiting for a rebate are much more likely to believe a text or email asking them to 'claim now'. 'But HMRC will never call, text, or email you unexpectedly about a refund. If you're owed money, you'll either get a cheque in the post or be asked to claim it through your online tax account at Article continues below 'Overpayments can happen for a few different reasons. You might have been on the wrong tax code - this often happens if HMRC has outdated information about your income. It's also common if you've changed jobs and were paid by two employers in the same month. Some people find they've overpaid after starting to receive a workplace or private pension, or if they've received benefits like Jobseeker's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance. 'If you weren't expecting a message - don't click, don't reply, and don't share your details. Fraudsters often use pressure tactics, spoofed numbers, and fake websites to trick people. If something feels off, trust your gut and report it using HMRC's phishing scam form. A few seconds of caution could save you thousands.' What to do if you've been scammed Contact your bank or card provider: Siobhan said: 'Your bank can block your card, investigate, and potentially refund your money. The quicker you act, the better.' Request a chargeback: Siobhan said: 'If you paid via debit card, chargeback could help you recover your money. This process allows you to dispute an unauthorised transaction and request a refund.' Report the scam: Siobhan said: 'Contact Action Fraud to help authorities track down criminals and prevent future scams.' Update your passwords: Siobhan said: 'If scammers got hold of your login details, change your passwords immediately. Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication. Over half of Brits (53%) use the same password across multiple accounts*, leaving them wide open to hackers.' Article continues below Aaron Peake, personal finance expert at credit score service CredAbility, added: 'A scam won't directly hit your credit score, but the financial damage might. Missed repayments or loans taken out in your name can leave marks on your credit file and make it harder to get a mortgage, loan, or credit card in the future. Set up spending alerts and use services like CredAbility and TotallyMoney to monitor your credit for anything suspicious.'
