More Scams To Be Aware Of

It’s never ending isn’t it!!! Scams, scams and more scams. Is there such a website called scamsaplenty.com by any chance? If there isn’t one, there probably should be. Probably like yourselves, this is really doing my head in now. Anyway, mini rant over. Let’s focus on the latest that have come to light. So, have a look at more scams to be aware of.

John, from Blacon, has kindly sent me details of two within minutes of each other. To save some time, I’ll double them up into one post. Additionally, I have a couple to mention as well, so read right through to the end of the post for full details. Oh, and spread the word if you can.

The first one John has sent me is about fake Paypal emails. Have a read and take care if you have a Paypal account.

More Scams To Be Aware Of – Fake Paypal Emails

This is another valuable Cheshire Police Alert.

“Action Fraud is warning people selling items online to be on the lookout for criminals sending fake PayPal emails. Between January 2020 and September 2020, 21,349 crime reports were made to Action Fraud about fake PayPal emails.

Victims reported losing a total of £7,891,077.44 during this time. Those targeted included people selling jewellery, furniture and electronics via online marketplaces.

Reports of fake PayPal emails to Action Fraud made up a third of all reports of online shopping and auction fraud during this period.

How does it happen?

Criminals have been targeting people selling items online, by sending them emails purporting to be from PayPal. The emails trick victims into believing they have received payment for the items they’re selling on the platform.

Typically, after receiving these emails, victims will ship the item to the criminal. This leaves them at a further disadvantage having not received any payment for the item and also no longer being in possession of it.

How can you protect yourself?

Sellers beware. If you’re selling items on an online marketplace, be aware of the warning signs that your buyer is a scammer. Scammers may have negative feedback history, or may have recently set up a new account to avoid getting poor feedback.

Don’t be persuaded into sending anything until you can verify you’ve received the payment.

Scam messages: Don’t click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails, and never respond to messages that ask for your personal or financial details.

How to spot the difference

A PayPal email will address you by your first and last name, or your business name, and will never ask you for your full password, bank account, or credit card details in a message.

If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, report it to Action Fraud online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. Message Sent By Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National).”

More Scams To Be Aware Of – Other Paypal Emails

Like probably so many, I have recently been getting fake Paypal emails. Even though I don’t sell items online via Paypal. As the article above mentioned, a Paypal email will address you by name. As will others, for instance banks, so this is a big clue that it’s a scam. The Paypal ones I’ve been receiving have been addressed to “Dear Customer” or something similar. Never addressed to me by name.

Also, when you look at the sender’s email address it is invariably a nonsensical looking long address with what seems to be a whole mish mash of random letters and numbers. Another tell tale sign.

Stay focused on anything sent to you by Paypal. Anyway, the next one is yet another HMRC scam message. Read on for more details. Again, the information has been kindly sent to me by John in Blacon. Thanks again for these invaluable messages.

More Scams To Be Aware Of – HMRC Scam Alert

Like the fake Paypal email message, this is a Cheshire Police Alert.

“Action Fraud is warning people once again of scammers contacting victims claiming to be from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) that trick people into paying bogus debts and taxes using iTunes gift cards.

•Fraudsters are contacting the elderly and vulnerable claiming to be from HM Revenue & Customs.

•Victims are being told they have arrest warrants, outstanding debts or unpaid taxes in their name.

•The fraudsters are asking victims to purchase iTunes gift cards as payment.

•There are a variety of methods being used including calls, texts and voicemails. Victims are being contacted in a variety of methods by fraudsters claiming to be from HMRC and are being told they owe an outstanding debt.

They ask for payment in iTunes gift card voucher codes or request bank details. Methods fraudsters use: Spoofed calls: Fraudsters cold call victims using a spoofed number and convince them that they owe unpaid tax to HMRC.

Voicemails:

Fraudsters leave victims automated voicemails saying that they owe HMRC unpaid taxes. When victims call back on the number provided, they are told that there is a warrant out in their name and if they don’t pay, the police will arrest them

Text messages:

They may also use text messages that ask victims to urgently call back on the number provided. When victims call back, they are told that there is a case being built against them for an outstanding debt and they must pay immediately.

How to protect yourself:

•HMRC will never use texts to tell you about a tax rebate or penalty or ever ask for payment in this way.

•Telephone numbers and text messages can easily be spoofed. You should never trust the number you see on your telephones display.

•If you receive a suspicious cold call, end it immediately. Report fraud and cyber crime and receive a police crime reference number – https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040. You can sign up for free to Action Fraud Alert to receive direct, verified, accurate information about scams and fraud in your area by email, recorded voice and text message.

We have seen an increase of reports in the Chester area so please share this advice with friends and family.

Kind regards, PCSO Beth Message Sent By Beth George (Police, Great Boughton PCSO, Chester LPU).”

More Scams To Be Aware Of – Increased Activity In Chester

As the HMRC warning mentions above, there has been an increase in activity in Chester. You may remember I wrote about a family friend who almost got caught out by this scam a few months ago.

By all accounts, the callers were very convincing and very aggressive. As the call went on the penny finally dropped that this was a scam. Have a read of this earlier post HERE and take note.

More Scams To Be Aware Of – Emails From Boots and Amazon

The mention of these scams is as a result of emails I’ve been receiving recently from Amazon and Boots.

The subject line says “Thank You” and the email message itself says “Amazon has a surprise for you” or “Boots has a surprise for you” followed by some images and clickable links that purport to take you through to either claim something for free, or to enter a free competition.

I got such an email again this morning. This one was an “Amazon has a surprise for you” message. The email sender’s address was a load of gobbledigook@whatlookslikeaproperdomain.com

Again, it is not addressed to me by name. So, again, a clue that this is a scam. As we are coming up to Christmas we may see more and more of these. Especially as people are feeling the pinch a bit more lately.

Whoever is behind these scams are really sad people. That much we already know. So, with all the valuable information provided, it is hoped that you will be more than switched on to the many scams we have reported on. Stay safe folks and to see all of my other scam warning messages take a look HERE in my Chester Crimewatch category and also in my Coronavirus News category HERE.

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