10/11/22
Welcome to the latest edition of the Scam Share bulletin.
Stay Scam Aware and please keep sharing any relevant information in this bulletin with friends and family.
Suspicious Text Messages
If you receive a suspicious text message you can forward it to 7726. The free-of-charge ‘7726’ service enables your provider to investigate and take action if malicious content is found.
Recently Reported Scams
Cost of Living Payment Scams
The Scam
This week the second cost of living payment is being paid to people on certain benefits. Those who are eligible to receive the payment are being urged to be wary of scams such as emails and text messages asking them to apply for the payment or to provide personal information.
One man received a text message which asked him to click a link to claim a support payment. The link led to a cloned UK Government website, where he was asked to enter his personal and credit card details in order to receive the payment.
How to Avoid
You do not need to apply for the cost of living payment. Anyone who is eligible to receive the payment will be paid automatically in the same way they usually get their benefit or tax credits. Payments will be made by the end of this month.
If you have had a message asking you to apply or contact someone about the payment, this is likely to be a scam.
DWP will never ask for your personal details via text message or email.
If you receive a text message, email or cold call asking for your details or for a fee to 'apply' for the payment, do not click on any links or provide any details.
At this time of year, doorstep scammers may look to take advantage of homeowners who are preparing for winter weather.
One of the most frequently reported scams is when uninvited traders say that you need urgent repairs done to your roof or house exterior. They may say that they're offering a one-day only discount or special deal in an attempt to pressure you into agreeing to have work done on the spot.
In one recent case, a cold caller knocked on a couple's door and told them they had loose tiles on their roof that need to be repaired immediately.
The callers said they were available to carry out the work immediately, but failed to provide any paperwork or cancellation rights.
How to Avoid
Don't deal with cold callers. If you need to call a trader for roofing work, find someone who has been vetted through a national or local authority approved trader scheme.
Rogue traders often imply that urgent work is required or that a special deal is only available for a limited time in order to pressure householders into making a decision quickly. Always take time to think before making a decision - don't agree to make any payments for goods or services on the spot.
Do plenty of research and get at least 3 quotes and check 3 review sites before having any work carried out.
Sign up for Neighbourhood Watch Scotland Alerts to stay up to date with what is going on in your community: www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk
Find Out More
Find traders in Scotland who have been vetted by Trading Standards:www.trustedtrader.scot
This week a retired architect received a cold call from someone posing as a roofing expert, who told her that there was a problem with her insulation. The caller offered to arrange a 'free' inspection of her roof, supposedly for health and safety purposes.
The woman realised that the caller had no idea what they were talking about, although they were trying to appear convincing.
This type of cold call is becoming increasingly common, as more householders worry about rising energy bills and seek to make their properties more energy efficient.
Several people who have received similar calls and agreed to have an inspection or survey carried out have discovered that the ‘surveyors’ were in fact salespeople who provided misleading information about their existing insulation and tried to sell them new insulation.
How to Avoid
Cold callers may try to sell you energy saving or home improvement measures that you don’t actually need and which won’t provide any benefit.
If you are concerned about your existing insulation or any other energy saving measures in your home, seek impartial advice from trusted companies rather than cold callers or online adverts.
Have an impartial assessment carried out to determine which energy saving measures will actually benefit your home.
Home Energy Scotland offer free and impartial advice on energy saving measures and information about funding available in your area - call them free on 0808 808 2282 or visit www.homeenergyscotland.org
The Scam
There have been reports this week of scam phone calls where a cold caller poses as a member of staff from the recipient's bank. The caller says that unauthorised transactions are due to be taken from their account unless they take immediate action.
The recipient is asked to confirm their personal and account details.
In one case, a recorded message said that there had been two charges from the recipient's card that morning - one of £300 from Amazon and the second of £1,100 on an 'international money transfer website'.
It said that the bank believed these transactions to be 'suspicious and unauthorised' and asked the recipient to press 1 to cancel the transactions or 2 to speak to a member of the support team.
Had the recipient of the call pressed 1 or 2, they may have been put through to a scammer who could ask them to confirm personal and account details, attempt to convince them that their bank account had been compromised and ask them to move money to a 'secure account'.
How to Avoid
Don't deal with cold callers and don't follow instructions given in an automated call. If you press any keys, you may be put through to a scammer who will ask for your personal details, which they could potentially use to commit fraud.
Your bank will never cold call and ask you to move money to another account.
Be suspicious of any unexpected phone call or text message which appears to be from your bank, particularly from a 'fraud department', and asks you to act urgently to avoid losing money.
Never give any personal or banking details to a cold caller, even if they appear to know some of your details already.
If you receive an unexpected call or message from your bank and are unsure if it is legitimate, hang up, clear the line and contact your bank using their official number (found on the back of your card, a statement or on their website)
This is Talk Money Week, which aims to encourage people to talk about money.
There are concerns that the rising cost of living could mean that more people feel that they have no option but to turn to an illegal money lender, or loan shark. If you are struggling with debt or if you have already borrowed money from a loan shark and are feeling trapped, out of control or isolated, please reach out and talk to one of the many organisations who can help you:
The Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit (SIMLU) has this week released a new series of short animated films to provide advice and support to those who have already borrowed money from a loan shark, those who are worried about a family member or client and those who are unsure where to turn for help.
You may feel that you have nowhere to turn, but help is available - you are not alone.
Find out more The free and confidential 24-hour loan shark helpline is open 7 days a week.
Call 0800 074 0878 or fill out the online contact form.
Find out more at www.stopillegallending.co.uk
Citizens Advice Scotland have published a wealth of information to help people check how well they are managing their money and what they can do if they have financial issues, such as getting a mortgage, or if they are in debt.
They also have a lot of information on how to get support with the cost of living, with details of how to access help from the government or local council to afford essentials like bills and food.
Their Money Map tool offers support and resources on better budgeting, help with banking and useful tips on how to save money. You can create a personalised list of information that you want to go back to and look at in more detail.
If you are struggling to meet rising living costs, the Money Map may be able to help you make your money go further. It will give you the key knowledge you need to boost your income, reduce costs, and make savings across everyday bills.
App - short for 'application', refers to a software program for computers or other devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Malware - malicious software that is designed to damage or gain unauthorised access to a computer or other device.
Phishing - the practice of sending fraudulent emails which often appear to be from well-known organisations or companies and ask the recipient to provide personal information or to visit a particular website.
QR Code - a square barcode that a smartphone camera can scan and read to provide quick access to a website or app.
Ransomware - malware that makes data or systems unusable until the victim makes a payment.
Remote Access - the ability to access a computer or device from another location. Anyone with remote access to a device can access all files stored on it.
Smishing - the same as phishing, but carried out via SMS (text) messages rather than emails.
Software - the set of instructions and programs that tells a computer how to operate.
Virus - a computer program designed to infect and damage legitimate software.
Official Contacts
If you feel threatened or unsafe, contact Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
