MP joining fraud fight

East Kilbride’s MP has warned her constituents to be on the alert as cases of impersonation fraud increase across the UK.

Impersonation fraud is when a criminal poses as a company, business, organisation or individual in an attempt to defraud a person.

Figures show this has increased by 300 per cent since 2019.

TSB suggest that in 2021 more than half of all fraudulent transaction could be attributed to impersonation fraud.

The bank discovered that in impersonation fraud, over half of the money lost was from criminals pretending to be from a bank or building society.

Authority fraud – when an individual claims to be from the NHS, Police or council and needs an individual’s personal details – is also on the increase as is Technical Fraud where scammers use the names of utility companies such as BT, Virgin and Sky.

MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, Dr Lisa Cameron, pictured above, is also warning people to be wary of suspicious messages claiming to be from delivery firms such as Royal Mail, DPD Amazon and Hermes.

TSB say people should also be wary of emotive texts or email requests for financial help, as fraudsters pose as a relative or friends.

TSB will compensate customers who have been defrauded and where this is officially reported.

Dr Cameron said:“Fraud affects millions of people every year and much more needs to be done to better support victims and stop it from happening.

“That’s why I’ve signed TSB’s pledge to Tackle Fraud Together, starting with improvements to the Online Safety Bill so big tech companies take more action on their platforms.

“We need to protect online victims of fraud, guarantee compensation, and do more to stop fraud altogether. I will actively be working with TSB to raise as much awareness I can of these issues in future.

“I have had a number of constituents who have been devastated by impersonation fraud and TSBs actions to compensate customers are a welcome step forward.”