Scams and Friends Against Scams Organisation

The fraudster attempts to get the victim to make upfront payments for goods, services, or financial gains, that don’t exist. Examples of these are lottery, clairvoyant or psychic, inheritance scams etc.

The fraudster pretends to be someone official such as from a bank, the police or HMRC, and convinces the victim that suspicious activity on their bank account has been detected. They will then get the victim to transfer money into a 'safe' bank account.

The victim will receive a cold call from the scammer who will claim there is a problem with their computer. The scammers claim to be from we known companies such as Sky, Virgin and BT to gain the victims trust and attempt to gain remote access to the their computer, this gives them access to everything on the computer. Scammers have been known to take control of victims bank accounts, steal personal information and even charge for the privilege.

Rogue traders will often call uninvited and pressure residents into agreeing to go ahead with work at short notice. The work they provide is often grossly overpriced and very poor quality. They often use pressure tactics to extract additional payments. They will often not provide clear and accurate business details. They often target vulnerable individuals, the elderly, and those who may be less familiar with the home improvement process, leaving them financially exploited and often with unsafe and unsatisfactory work completed.

Below are some tips from Trading Standards to help people avoid falling victim to these scammers:

• Do your research: Always research the background and reputation of a trader or builder before engaging their services. Check for reviews, testimonials, and online presence to gauge their credibility.
• Get multiple quotes: always get quotes from at least three different traders to make a fair comparison of pricing and scope of work.
• Ask for references: Request references from previous clients and follow up on them to gather honest feedback about the quality of their work and professionalism.
• Ask for written agreements: Insist on a written contract outlining the business details, terms, costs, and timeframe for the project to ensure clarity and accountability.
• Avoid cash payments: Don’t make cash payments upfront and use a secure payment method that allows for traceability.
• Trust your instincts: If something feels too good to be true or if a trader exerts undue pressure on you to make quick decisions, step back and reassess the situation.

Fraudsters use fake profiles on dating websites and convince their victims that they are in a relationship. Once they have established the victims trust the scammer will begin asking for money for sick relatives or business opportunities that can’t go ahead due to cashflow problems. The scammers are always keen to meet but have a range of excuses why that they can’t, such as working away in a foreign country.