Help for vulnerable adults at risk from online fraud
Shopper-Aide is one of more than 50 community groups, organisations and individuals caring for vulnerable adults that are now better informed at preventing clients from becoming victims of fraud.
Representatives from the Kintyre charity, as well as from Carr Gomm, ACUMEN, Alzheimer Scotland, Age Scotland, Family Mediation Services, Carers of West Dunbartonshire and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, tuned in to an online fraud prevention event last Tuesday (May 18).
The Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI) event was supported by West Dunbartonshire Community and Volunteering Services (CVS). Increasing incidents of fraud were reported to police in 2020-21, including online credit card fraud, marketplace fraud and social engineering fraud, where someone pretends to be someone they are not to access people’s money.
Samantha Stubbs, strategic development manager for Argyll and Bute TSI, said: ‘With [third sector] staff being trusted and well-known faces in communities, they are vital to ensuring the right information is shared with people at the right time.’
Joanna Peet, Nationwide Building Society branch manager, said £455.8 million was lost in 2019 in the UK to ‘authorised push payment scams’, where people are scammed into sending their money directly to a criminal.
Other scams include ‘romance scams’ where fraudsters build an online relationship with people to gain their trust before asking them for money for medical fees and travel expenses.
Banking protocol had stopped £43.5 million of fraud and led to 200 arrests in 2020.
Joanna said: ‘This is where any bank or building society staff member who becomes aware of anything suspicious or untoward contacts police for an immediate response.
‘Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the banking protocol has been enhanced to cover telephone and online banking as well.’
Matthew Corns, Argyll and Bute Trading Standards, spoke of the financial impact frauds can have on the economy and highlighted the wellbeing effect that becoming a scam victim can have on anyone, but especially vulnerable members of the community.
People are more likely to die or enter residential care after becoming a scam victim.
Mr Corns added that people can become a ‘friend against scams’ by taking part in a free online Trading Standards course.
Sergeant Marcus Littlejohn from Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Police Division provided advice and guidance including tips such as dialling 123 after receiving a call from a scam caller to ensure the line has been cleared.
Often criminals will keep the call running so that when people call their bank afterwards, the scammer can pretend to be this service as well.
Sergeant Littlejohn also spoke about password security sites such as www.howsecureismypassword.net and how to check if password and security details have been compromised through the website www.haveibeenpwned.com
Chief Inspector Emma Grimason, local area commander, added: ‘Fraudsters are adapting every day and new types of fraud appear on a regular basis. It is therefore incumbent on us all to keep ourselves informed about the current scams and always be vigilant on how to prevent yourself and those you care for becoming a victim.’
Neighbourhood Watch Scotland sent out alerts from either Police Scotland or Trading Standards, she said.
See https://member-registration.neighbourhoodalert. co.uk/91/Join or follow Argyll Dunbartonshire Police Division on Twitter and other social media for updates on new fraud trends.