Scammer Watch

In the digital age, where technology connects us all, the risk of falling victim to phishing scams has increased significantly. Phishing scams are a form of cybercrime that target individuals, businesses, and organizations by manipulating them into revealing sensitive information or performing malicious actions. By understanding these scams and their tactics, you can better protect yourself against such malicious activities. Type Of Phishing Scams   Email Spoofing One of the most common phishing scams is email spoofing. Attackers forge email addresses to make them appear as if they come from legitimate sources, such as banks, social media platforms, or government agencies. By imitating trusted entities, they deceive recipients into divulging personal information or clicking on malicious links. Deceptive Websites Phishers create fake websites that mimic legitimate ones, aiming to steal users’ credentials. These fraudulent sites are designed to closely resemble popular platforms like online banking portals, e-commerce websites, or email Read More

The holiday season is a time for joy, relaxation, and creating lasting memories with loved ones. However, amidst the excitement, there are individuals and organizations that seek to take advantage of unsuspecting holidaymakers through various scams. The impact of holiday scams can be devastating for victims, both financially and emotionally. Financially, victims may lose substantial amounts of money through fake bookings, upfront fees, or unauthorized charges. These losses can disrupt travel plans, leaving individuals and families in distress, especially if they have invested a significant portion of their savings into their vacation. Moreover, the emotional toll cannot be underestimated, as victims may experience feelings of betrayal, frustration, and disappointment, tarnishing their holiday experience and eroding trust in future travel endeavors. Latest Holiday Scams Online Booking Scams With the advent of technology, online booking has become the norm for holiday planning. Scammers exploit this trend by setting up fake travel websites Read More

As the cost-of-living crisis worsens there has been a significant increase in scammers impersonating energy firms to trick victims into handing over money or payment details. January 2022 saw a 27% increase in energy scam reports compared with the previous January. This blog post will list the top 8 energy scams to watch out for. Doorstep Misrepresentation One of the most common scams involves doorstep misrepresentation, where fraudsters pose as energy suppliers or representatives. They employ high-pressure tactics, coercing consumers into signing up for new contracts or switching providers without their informed consent. To protect against this scam, it is crucial to verify the identification of any doorstep salesperson and never feel rushed into making hasty decisions. Energy Saving Devices Another prevalent scam targets energy-conscious consumers seeking to reduce their energy bills. Fraudsters promote fake energy-saving devices that promise substantial reductions in energy consumption. These devices are often ineffective, leading Read More

Scammers can be anyone, anywhere, and can use various methods to trick people into giving them money or personal information. It is essential to be cautious when dealing with unknown people, especially online. This blog post will look at some effective ways to avoid getting scammed by scammers. Educate Yourself The first step to avoid getting scammed is to educate yourself about common scams. Scammers use different tactics to defraud people, and knowing how they operate can help you avoid falling for their tricks. Some common scams include phishing emails, lottery scams, fake charities, investment scams, and romance scams. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Better Business Bureau (BBB) are good sources to learn about the latest scams and how to avoid them. Verify The Identity Scammers often pretend to be someone they are not. They may pose as a government official, a bank representative, or a company employee. To Read More

WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems used by millions of websites around the world. However, due to its popularity, it is also a common target for hackers. If your WordPress site has been hacked, it can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. In this blog post, we will show you how to fix a hacked WordPress website Step 1: Identify the hack The first step is to identify the hack. This can be done by scanning your website with a security plugin or by manually checking your website’s files and directories. Look for any suspicious files, such as those with random names or those that do not belong to your website. Also, check your website for any unusual behavior, such as redirecting to another site or displaying unusual pop-ups. Step 2: Backup your website Before you make any changes to your website, it’s essential to back Read More

Scammers come from all over the world, and they come from diverse backgrounds. The rise of the internet has made it easier for scammers to target people regardless of where they live. Some scammers operate as individuals, while others operate as part of organized criminal groups. Many scammers come from countries with weaker economies and high levels of corruption. In these countries, it may be easier for scammers to operate without fear of consequences from law enforcement. Additionally, scammers from these countries may be motivated by a desire to escape poverty and improve their financial situation. However, it is important to note that scammers can also come from developed countries with strong economies and low levels of corruption. In these countries, scammers may be motivated by greed and a desire for easy money. They may use their technical skills and knowledge of advanced technology to carry out scams. Scammers can Read More

QR codes have been around for over 25 years however 2020 saw an increase in usage due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to eMarketer, QR code scans nearly doubled to 25% in 2020 up from 13% the year prior as they made looking at menus, product information, services, events, and much more a lot easier as people just scanned the QR code without touching anything that could be contaminated. It is also estimated that QR code scanning will increase by more than 19% to 99.5M in 2025 from 83.4M in 2022. Scammers have realized that QR codes have become very popular which is why they are taking advantage of the QR code technology to scam people out of money or to steal their identity. How Do QR Scams Work Anyone can create a QR code by using a number of free online tools. This makes QR codes easy for businesses to Read More

Ukraine Donation scammers are taking advantage of the Ukraine war to scam people out of money. Action Fraud estimate that they have received around 200 reports of fake requests to fundraise for victims of the Ukraine war with scammers asking people to donate money via a scam donation website or via text or by calling a premium rate telephone number. Never click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails or respond to messages which ask for your personal or financial details. You can find lots of useful information at the following official websites if you wish to donate money to help people involved in the Ukraine war crisis https://www.unicef.org.uk and https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukraine-what-you-can-do-to-help Cost Of Living When scammers see an opportunity to rip someone off they will take advantage of it, and the cost of living crisis is a great way for criminals to take advantage of vulnerable people. The latest scams include receiving a text, Read More

The following tips will help you stay safe online from scammers who are working 24/7 and ripping people off every day. There has been a massive increase in activity from scammers who are ripping thousands of people off on a daily basis using a wide range of techniques to profit from and fund criminal activity. If it’s too good to be true then it’s a scam A majority of scams come from Indian call centers and romance scams come from Nigeria. Read the Met police little book of big scams which includes a lot of useful information to protect you offline. Use the citizen’s advice free scam check tool and report all scams to the Action Fraud website at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. Do not give any personal information including (name, address, bank details, email, or phone number) to anyone you do not know. Even if they say it’s the Tax man, police, Bank, energy company, or government. Never share your banking Read More

With the increase of malicious cyber, hacker, and scammer activity online it is more important than ever to use good password security practices to protect yourself online. Hackers and scammers are working 24/7 trying to exploit and take advantage of innocent people around the world. These people are criminals with no shame, morals, or ethics they don’t care how they exploit you as long as they get your personal information in order to steal your money Having a secure and strong password that is changed on a regular basis reduces the risk of getting your accounts hacked. Also using different passwords for the different services you use online is also very helpful to stop hackers and scammers from getting hold of your money. Avoid Using Weak Passwords Weak passwords are made up of common words, numbers, or keyboard patterns that can be easily guessed by anyone who wants to crack Read More

Getting scammed by a scammer is not a nice experience it can have a negative impact on your overall personality, confidence, and mental health. You may feel a sense of shame or embarrassment that someone has managed to abuse your trust in order to steal your money or even take your life savings. Remember anyone can fall victim to a scammer, the important thing is to turn this negative experience into a positive experience which may help other people from becoming a victim. Important Information Make a note of any important information including the phone number the scammer calls you from. Make a note of the email address they used or the website address you visited. Try to remember the specific date, and time the scam took place. When did the money leave your bank account and how much money was stolen from you? Gather as much information as possible Read More

Phishing is a fraudulent practice used by hackers and scammers who send emails or messages via SMS text, WhatsApp, or social media accounts claiming to be from reputable companies or government agencies like the HMRC, UK government, Amazon, PayPal, Netflix, NHS, and so on in order to induce individuals into revealing personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers so they can steal your identity or all your money. How Do You Spot a Phishing Scam Everyone can get caught out by a Phishing scam whether it’s via email, text, or a social media message. cybercriminals send millions of messages out every day and every single day some will always fall into their trap and lose money or get their identity is stolen which is then sold to the highest bidder on the dark web who will, in turn, take a loan or credit card out in your name. Read More

A phone call scam involves a scammer who will cold call you claiming to be from the Bank, government, HMRC, Amazon, Mircosoft, or another well-known company. They will state one of the following during the call or include the information in an automated phone call answer message. There is an unknown transaction on your bank statement Your bank card has been exploited by criminals and needs the pin locking or card replaced Your bank account has been exploited by criminals You have an outstanding tax bill that needs to payed or you will face prison They may leave you an automated telephone message which asks you to urgently contact them back by pressing 1 or 2 to speak to an advisor which will go to an Indian call center where the scammer will try and steal all your money from you. You have a virus on your computer which needs Read More

When scammers see an opportunity to rip someone off they will take advantage of it, and the cost of living crisis is a great way for criminals to take advantage of vulnerable people who need support during this difficult time. Don’t let the scammer scum take all your money read the following which will make you aware of the latest scams which are happening in 2023. Cost of living payments Beware of texts asking you to claim or apply for the cost of living help from https://www.gov.uk or the Department for Work and Pensions. You don’t need to apply or do anything else to claim the payment. If you’re eligible, you’ll automatically receive the money straight into your bank account. Energy Rebate There has been a rise in scammers claiming to be from one of the ‘big six’ energy companies, as well as Ofgem. They send emails, using official logos, claiming Read More

Scammers are taking advantage of the Ukraine war to scam people out of money. Action Fraud estimate that they have received around 200 reports of fake requests to fundraise for victims of the Ukraine war with scammers asking people to donate money via a scam donation website or via text or by calling a premium rate telephone number. How To Spot A Fake Ukraine Scam Website Poor spelling and grammar included on the website Long, convoluted web or email addresses which do not look official Unsecure websites which display security  warnings on your browser when you visit them Blurry images, logos, and branding can be a sign that materials have been copied Vague information on what happens to donations Asking for donations using cryptocurrency, gift cards, or direct bank transfers The Cyber security firm ESET has published a list of scam websites All these sites should be 100% avoided. If Read More

Investment scams involve someone cold calling you or sending you a text, WhatsApp, email, or social media message offering you the opportunity to invest your money in a great investment that comes with guaranteed returns, They will try every trick in the book to sound like they are from a genuine investment company, or broker and will use high pressurized techniques like “this is a limited time deal, you need to invest now to avoid loosing out, the deal needs to be closed today” to force you to make a decision to invest in their latest scam. Before you make a decision always ask for the company details to confirm if they are genuine. Check the details at the FCA website https://register.fca.org.uk/s/ or use the FCA scam checker https://www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart/warning-list Never make a decision to invest money under pressure, if you get the feeling the investment is a scam don’t invest. Always speak to Read More

The postal scam involves you receiving a text, WhatsApp message, or email from the Royal Mail or DPD to let you know that you have missed a postal delivery or would you like to pick up or rearrange delivery for a parcel. The postal, parcel scam is getting more and more popular every day and is used by scammers trying to rip people off. Scam Advice Don’t follow any links The most effective way to avoid text scams is to ignore links. Clicking on links could lead you to download malware and malicious software. Don’t share personal information Treat all messages requesting sensitive information with suspicion. Legitimate organizations will never text you to ask for your personal or banking details. Contact the organization directly If you’re unsure, contact the company that claims to have sent it. Use the official contact details listed on their website. Don’t reply Replying to a fake text, calling the number or Read More

While romance scams aren’t new, their popularity continues to rise. Scammers often steal someone’s identity or create fake profiles on dating and social media apps to meet victims in order to gain your trust and steal your money. After gaining your trust, they may ask you to buy them something or send them money. Recently, some scammers have posed as investors and shared false investment tips with their victims, which could lead you to invest in a fake opportunity. Or, the person may “mistakenly” send you money and ask you to send it back or forward it to someone else. If your bank later determines that their payment was fraudulent, the sum of the payment will be subtracted from your account. Romance scams can target anyone, and some scammers seek to form platonic rather than romantic relationships. How Do You If You’re Being Scammed Scammers can be experienced in spinning Read More

The HMRC tax scam is a popular one used by scammers trying to exploit people Some of the most commonly reported HMRC scams include the following An automated message saying that HMRC is filing a lawsuit against you. You are asked to press 1 to be connected to a caseworker which is normally a scammer based in India. A cold caller telling you that you are being charged with tax fraud. In order to avoid court action you are asked to send a copy of your passport and to pay over £1,000 An automated message saying that your National Insurance number has been compromised or is invalid. You are asked to press 1 to speak to an ‘advisor’ where you will be transferred to the scammer. An automated message purportedly from a criminal agency, saying that your National Insurance number is going to be suspended and your assets seized. The Read More

Paypal is a popular way to buy and sell products, and services online and is used by millions of people around the world. The scammers have come up with a number of ways to scam people out of money using PayPal including Order Confirmation: You receive an official-looking email from PayPal requesting you confirm the order you have made. The email will include a website link that will take you to criminals’ websites where they will try and install a virus, or malware on your computer and steal your money. Password Reset: You receive an email from PayPal asking you to reset your password. They ask you to click on a link included in the email which will take you to the scammer’s website to steal your identity and money. Payment Transfer Request: You receive an email, Whats app, or text asking you to complete a payment transfer for a product or service you have not Read More

The Microsoft support scam involves the scammer calling you claiming to be a computer-security expert from Microsoft or another legitimate company. They’ll say that your PC, laptop, or tablet has been infected with malware (or a computer virus), and that they can help you solve the problem. The scammer may try on the following on you Trick you into installing software that will capture your sensitive data, such as online banking user names and passwords. They might also then charge you to remove this software. Ask you to visit a website to download software that will allow them to take control of your computer remotely and adjust settings to leave your computer vulnerable. Request credit card information from you so they can bill you for false services Direct you to a website and ask you to enter credit card and other personal or financial information there. Scam Advice Microsoft or Read More

The friend-in-need scam (also known as ‘Hi Mum’ or ‘Hi Dad’) is a popular method of fraud in which a scammer texts from an unknown number, posing as a friend or family member. The scam is particularly effective as it preys on people’s kindness and desire to help their friends and family. These scam messages may come through via WhatsApp, iMessage, or text messages (SMS). Typically, the scammer, posing as a friend or family member, begin the message with ‘Hello Mum’ or ‘Hello Dad’ – sent from an unknown number. They will then tell the recipient they are texting from a new number as their phone was lost or damaged, going on to ask for money to purchase a new phone or claim they need money urgently for another reason, such as to pay a bill. Sometimes the scam can also occur when a scammer hacks someone’s WhatsApp, instant messaging Read More

Everyone is talking about Cryptocurrency and how to make money from digital currency as a consequence scammers have also realized they can rip people off by using a variety of Crypto Currency scams. The first one involves giving free bitcoins away via social media which asks you to visit a website to confirm your identity. The website will ask you to enter your personal and bank account details. While you are on the website the criminals will install malware, and viruses on your PC or mobile device and steal money from your bank account. The next scam involves a Fake cryptocurrency exchange website where the criminal will ask you to buy cryptocurrency via a website they own and run which is designed to look like a real and authentic website similar to https://crypto.com or https://www.coinbase.com which are authentic cryptocurrency exchange websites. Once you visit the criminal’s fake cryptocurrency exchange website they will pressure you Read More

A scam involves a scammer from India who sends a text message to the victim claiming to be from Amazon. The text message claims to be from Amazon stating they will be charged for an Amazon purchase. In the text, victims are provided with a toll-free telephone number to cancel the purchase. The victims, who never made the Amazon purchase, called the toll-free number to cancel the charges. When they called the number to cancel the order, a subject impersonating an Amazon employee connects them to someone impersonating an Amazon fraud specialist. In speaking with the subject impersonating the fraud specialist, victims are directed to download the Anydesk Remote app to their telephones, so that the fraud specialist can assist in cancelling the transactions. The Anydesk Remote app provides the scammer with access to the victim’s mobile telephone, computer which includes bank and other accounts stored on the device. Once Read More

The amazon prime subscription scam has been around for a while now. The scam involves the scammer making fake automated phone calls claiming to be from Amazon, telling customers their Prime subscription is due to expire, and that payment will be automatically taken from their account to renew it. The recorded message asks you to press one to cancel or two to speak to customer services. The call then goes through to an Indian call center which includes a group of people waiting to scam you into claiming they are from Amazon.  They will ask you for your personal details and bank account details, they also may try and install some software on your mobile device or computer. Do not speak with anyone with an Indian accent claiming to be from Amazon Never share your personal or bank account details Do not allow anyone to install software or an app Read More