Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone assumes your identity to perform a fraud or other criminal act without your knowledge and/or consent. Criminals can obtain the information they need to assume your identity from a variety of sources, including by stealing your wallet, searching through your trash, or by compromising your credit or bank information. They may approach you in person, by telephone, or on the Internet and ask you for the information under a pretext.

Online Dating Scams

It's everything you've hoped for and more. She's beautiful, smart, witty, and you two just "get" each other. Sure, you've never met her in person—but that doesn't matter. You've been talking to her for months, exchanged pictures, maybe even spoken on the phone. Sometime soon you'll get to meet her, but right now she's on the other side of the world, no doubt doing humanitarian work. Then, there is a problem. She's got an emergency and needs some funds. Not a lot, just a couple hundred pounds. Can you do that? And then the next week, someone in her family got sick. You don't mind covering for that too, right? Guess what? That beautiful woman you fell in love with in Ghana? She's probably a bearded man. He's built your trust, and now he's ready to take you for all your worth.

The Vehicle Purchase Scam

Your fervent internet search for a great deal on your dream car has paid off! You found the car you want at a much lower price than what your local dealership is willing to offer. You contact the seller and he/she tells you to send either a down payment and/or the service fees for the application loan through a money transfer so you can avoid sales tax and get a better rate. He or she may even send you a receipt. Never send a down payment or service fees via a money transfer: You won’t get your dream vehicle and you won’t get your money back.

Charity Scam

A recent natural disaster has left an entire nation reeling to rebuild in the aftermath of destruction and you want to do your part to help by donating money. Sadly enough, natural disasters such as floods, tornados or hurricanes often result in scammers staging "charitable" organisations that prey on well-intentioned people. Your heart goes out to these people who have just lost everything. You receive a call or a letter from a charitable organisation telling you exactly where to transfer money. Be sure to never send money to people or organisations that you don't know. Instead, contact well known organisations like the Red Cross or another trusted organisation that you know and that you understand how the funds are being collected and used. Chances are, if you transfer money to an organisation you don't know, your money will not go to the intended cause but rather into the pockets of scammers.

The Elder Abuse Scam

While this scam can take on many shapes, it’s critical to know that nearly a third of all telemarketing fraud victims are age 60 or older. Be careful about sending money to a stranger in exchange for the promise of such things as home improvement, predatory lending, estate planning or even just a large sum of money to build your “nest egg.” Don’t ever let a stranger manage your finances and assets. Scammers will try hard to manipulate you into turning over property and/or money, which can leave your cheque account or entire life savings wiped out within minutes. Never trust your money to someone you don’t know.

Telemarketing Scam

You receive a phone call from an unknown caller and are somewhat sceptical to answer. At the last minute, you decide to pick up the phone and to your astonishment – you have won a free cruise. What luck! All you need to do to receive the cruise prize is pay for postage and handling to receive the "formal" offer. Sounds easy enough. The convincing voice on the other end has now conned you into giving them your financial information to pay for the postage. When you transfer money to people you do not know or give personal or financial information to unknown callers, you increase your chances of becoming a victim of telemarketing fraud.

Be aware that your personal information is often brokered to telemarketers through third parties. If you have been victimised once, be wary of persons who call offering to help you recover your losses for a fee paid in advance.

Protect Yourself

Although fraud comes in many forms, there are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself from fraud.

1. Do not give any personal information (name, address, bank details, email or phone number) to organisations or people before verifying their credentials.
2. Many frauds start with a phishing email. Remember that banks and financial institutions will not send you an email asking you to click on a link and confirm your bank details. Do not trust such emails, even if they look genuine. You can always call your bank using the phone number on a genuine piece of correspondence, website (typed directly into the address bar) or the phone book to check if you’re not sure.
3. Destroy and preferably shred receipts with your card details on and post with your name and address on. Identity fraudsters don’t need much information in order to be able to clone your identity.
4. Make sure your computer has up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall installed. Ensure your browser is set to the highest level of security notification and monitoring to prevent malware issues and computer crimes.
5. Sign-up to Verified by Visa or MasterCard Secure Code whenever you are given the option while shopping online. This involves you registering a password with your card company and adds an additional layer of security to online transactions with signed-up retailers.
6. If you receive bills, invoices or receipts for things you haven’t bought, or financial institutions you don’t normally deal with contact you about outstanding debts, take action. Your identity may have been stolen.
7. You should regularly get a copy of your credit file and check it for entries you don’t recognise. Callcredit, Equifax, Experian, ClearScore and Noddle can all provide your credit file. An identity protection service such as ProtectMyID monitors your Experian credit report and alerts you by email or SMS to potential fraudulent activity. If it's fraud, a dedicated caseworker will help you resolve everything.
8. Be extremely wary of post, phone calls or emails offering you business deals out of the blue. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always question it.
9. If you have been a victim of fraud, be aware of fraud recovery fraud. This is when fraudsters pretend to be a lawyer or a law enforcement officer and tell you they can help you recover the money you’ve already lost.
10. Where to get help if you get scammed.
    • If you are the victim of a money transfer scam, first report the incident to your local police.
    • File a complaint online with ActionFraud or contact them by phone at 0300 123 2040.
    • If you have any questions or concerns, please call GMK Money Transfer on 02081339506.