How to tell if it’s REAL
With cons and rip-offs on the rise, you need to keep your wits about you when you’re online. Here’s what to watch out for…
Fake holiday booking sites
One common scam involves fraudsters hacking into the accounts of owners on well-known accommodation sites, such as Airbnb, and creating convincing fake entries. You may receive emails from the so-called ‘owner’ asking you to send money, but this cash goes into a criminal’s bank account.
STAY VIGILANT!
❖ Check the web address is legitimate. Make sure it has not been altered, for example, with unexpected numbers or characters. ❖ Contact the accommodation’s owner before and after you book, through the website’s messaging feature. ❖ Never pay money into a personal bank account. Use a secure service – look for the ‘https’ and a closed padlock symbol – or a payment provider, such as Paypal. ❖ Google the property. Bad reviews – or none at all – are a clue.
Fake passport renewal sites
When you’re applying for a new passport, driving licence or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), make sure you don’t get caught out by a copycat website. These sites may closely resemble the legitimate ones, but you will be charged a premium for a public service that’s either free, or much cheaper, via the official channel. Misleading sites also crop up when you search to apply for a holiday visa, birth or marriage certificate, book a driving theory test, or file your tax return.
STAY VIGILANT!
❖ Go directly to the gov.uk site – or, for the EHIC card, to nhs.uk. ❖ If you do fall for a copycat site, you may be able to get your money back using Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, if you paid with a credit card.
Fake social media promotions
Beware of promotions claiming to offer vouchers if you share a particular message on Facebook or via Whatsapp. These scams can seem very convincing, and it’s easy to get sucked in if you see people you know sharing the message. But the bogus links can lead to phishing or malware sites. Spam your friends with the fake promotion and you could end up spreading the virus.
STAY VIGILANT!
❖ Tread carefully if a promotion asks you to share a page with friends. ❖ Watch out for telltale spelling and grammar mistakes. ❖ Think twice if a well-known brand offers freebies to celebrate an anniversary. ❖ Type the promotion into Google and see what comes up.
And finally...
❖ Trust your instincts – if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. ❖ Fallen victim? Contact Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040.