Although some online scams can be identified easily by their poor grammar or obvious contact information, others are more difficult to recognise and may lead to financial losses or a scammer getting their hands on your sensitive data. Scammers have learnt to tap into the emotional elements to create a sense of urgency and to devise new methods to persuade trick innocent victims. Here are some newer scams that many people in the UK have fallen victim to:

Message from loved one scam:

This prevalent scam has been circulating in the UK for some time now. Scammers will send you a fake WhatsApp message, pretending to be a close friend or family member in dire need. They’ll then ask you to transfer money to a bank account. This scam is highly successful as it generates panic and urgency, leading unsuspecting victims to act impulsively without considering the situation carefully. If you receive a message like this, it's important to verify the identity of the person before sending any money. You can do this by calling the person using a known phone number or contacting them through a different messaging app.

Failed payment scam:

A failed payment email scam is a type of phishing scam in which a scammer sends an email posing as a reputable company, claiming that a payment or transaction has failed. The email will take you to a site that closely resembles the company’s actual website. You will then be asked to enter in your sensitive information such as your card details and personal information. To make sure you’re not a victim on these types of scams, always make sure to visit the company’s website by searching it up, rather than clicking on the link.

HMRC scam:

Another form of text-based scam is the HMRC scam, which involves receiving a message informing you that you are owed a tax refund. Like the failed payment scam, the scammers will urge you to click on a link that leads to a website resembling the official HMRC gov.uk site. There, you will be asked to provide sensitive information in order to claim the refund.

Job-related Scams:

The increasing popularity of job search platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn has provided the opportunity for fraudulent companies to use these sites to scam people into luring you to enter sensitive information or put you into a role that is drastically different from the one that was advertised. These scams specifically target job seekers, offering enticing job opportunities with a range of different benefits including flexible work arrangements or quick and easy ways to earn money. To avoid job-related scams, it's important to be cautious and vigilant when looking for job opportunities. If it’s too good to be true, it properly is. Conducting research on the company can also help determine its legitimacy and reputation.

Social Media Scams:

With most of our lives being online, new social media scams are emerging on a daily basis. These range from ads for fake online stores that capture your personal data or money, to dating scams that manipulate you into sending money. Despite how prevalent these scams are, they are usually very easy to identify and are easy to avoid. Usually, scammers will outwardly message you asking for personal information or money. It’s best to always delete these types of messages and block the person who sent you the message. You should also be wary on clicking on links, etc.

Student loans forgiveness scam:

During the three loan payment dates in September, January, and April, scammers may use various tactics to trick students into disclosing personal information, such as posing as loan providers, universities, or government agencies. These scams will prompt students to enter their personal information in an attempt to steal their money.

Want to know more about how to protect yourself from these scams? Speak to an expert today!