Cash advice
Millions of Brits fall victim to swindles each year. It’s so easy to think it’ll never happen to you but, the reality is, fraudsters are getting smarter and will target everything from your holidays abroad to your precious identity. Here, financial expert
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HOLIDAY HOAX Looking forward to a relaxing vacation? Then make sure that you’re booking through a legitimate provider – incidences of holiday scams shot up by 435 per cent from 2016 to 2017. If you’re buying a package holiday, the company is legally obliged to provide ATOL protection. Make sure that you receive a certificate. Many tricksters are also setting up fake websites. To make sure a website is safe, look for a padlock symbol in the corner of the address bar.
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TAX FRAUD Scammers are sending texts that appear to be from HMRC telling unsuspecting consumers they’re due a rebate. People are more likely to fall for these, because they appear legitimate, with many displaying ‘HMRC’ as the sender. These messages contain links to online sites that harvest personal information or spread malware, leading to identity fraud and theft of personal savings. HMRC says it will never contact customers who are due a tax refund by text message or by email, so if you receive one of these messages make sure you don’t click any links or give any personal details.
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PENSIONS AND INVESTMENT SCANDALS
Usually, scams involve someone offering investment opportunities that will guarantee fantastic returns – and if the idea sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Beware of unsolicited calls, emails or letters offering a free pensions review – regulated advisors or services, such as Citizens Advice, will never get in contact this way.
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IDENTITY FRAUD Anyone can be a victim of identity fraud, and it’s becoming increasingly common among under-21s, so it’s worth discussing with your loved ones. Good tips to avoid this kind of fraud include: never divulge personal information, always make social media accounts private, and sign up to the mail preference service to stop your name being added to junkmail databases.
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PROPERTY HIJACKING Crooks use fake IDs to rent a house, before changing their name by deed poll to the owner’s and selling it on. The real proprietors only find out when solicitors register the change in ownership. It’s best to sign up to the alert service from HM Land Registry, and seek references.