Tag: Action Fraud
UK sees surge in catphishing, claims report
A new study shows the United Kingdom is experiencing an unprecedented surge in romance scams this summer. Victims from the United Kingdom lost a record €104 million to romance scams over the last 12 months, up from €68 million in 2020. Romance scams – also known as ‘catphishing’ – are when criminals create fake online profiles to trick online love seekers out…
Action Fraud warns of scam Ukraine emails
The UK's national fraud reporting centre has issued a warning to those wanting to help victims of the Ukraine war. Action Fraud has sent out an alert as cybercriminals are targeting those who want to help victims of the Russian invasion. They have received 196 reports of bogus emails claiming to be fundraising for victims…
Ofcom plans crackdown on fake number scams
UK phone companies will make it harder for fraudsters to use their networks for fake number scams, under a range of measures proposed by Ofcom today. Almost 45 million people were targeted by scam calls and texts last summer. Criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and nearly a million of these consumers followed the scammers’ instructions, risking…
1 in 10 victim of social media ‘scam ads’, claims Which?
Almost one in 10 people (9%) have fallen victim to online scam ads via social media sites or search engines as platforms fail to tackle a flood of bogus ads posted by fraudsters, new research from Which? reveals. The consumer watchdog is calling for the government to give tech giants greater legal responsibility for…
Computer takeover scams cost users over £16 million a year
Consumer watchdog Which? is warning of the dangers of fraudsters using computer takeover scams to steal money and personal details from unsuspecting victims, as data shows reported losses reached more than £16 million in the last year. The consumer organisation has heard from people who have lost thousands of pounds to this convincing scam where…
Tech giants should do more to protect users from online scams, warns Which?
Social media users are seriously underestimating their chances of falling victim to online scams and face devastating emotional and financial consequences because tech giants are not doing enough to warn and protect them, Which? claims. The consumer watchdog's latest research showed that a majority of Facebook users were lulled into a false sense of security…
5 tips for guarding against financial fraud during COVID-19
Price comparison engine GoCompare is urging people to stay safe online as official statistics show a dramatic increase in phishing and online shopping scams as cybercriminals look to capitalise on fears during COVID-19 pandemic. According to Action Fraud’s figures for March 2020, coronavirus-related fraud reports have increased by 400%, with victims’ losses totally nearly £1million.…
Action Fraud warns Instagram users about ‘get rich quick’ schemes
Victims of bogus “get rich quick” schemes advertised on Instagram have reported losing a total of more than £3 million since October, Action Fraud warns. Between October 2018 and February 2019, 356 reports were made to Action Fraud. It said the total loss reported to it was £3,168,464 – an average of around £8,900 per…
Cyber crime victims lose £34.6m in six months, claims Action Fraud
People falling prey to cyber crime have reported losing £34.6 million, the latest numbers from Action Fraud show. Hacking of social media and email accounts continues to be the most prolific means of scamming people online, contributing to more than 5,000 cases out of the 13,357 cyber crimes reported in the six months between April…