Scammer FAQ

A scammer is a disgusting human being who has no shame, ethics, or morals. A scammer’s sole purpose is to exploit and manipulate innocent people for financial gain. They don’t care how they do it or what harm they inflict on the innocent victim as long as they get a financial reward.

A scammer has one purpose to do everything possible to exploit innocent people for financial gain.  Scammers are getting increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to get your money or personal details from people offline and online.

Protect Yourself From Being Scammed By Following These Important Tips

1. Everyone is a target for scammers.
2. If it’s too good to be true then it’s highly likely it will be a scam.
3. A majority of scams come from India and Nigeria.
4. Scammers are criminals who have one purpose to get your money by any means necessary.
5. Read the Met police little book of big scams which includes a lot of useful information to protect you offline and online.
6. Use the citizen’s advice free scam check tool 
7. Report all scams to the Action Fraud website at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
8. Do not give any personal information (name, address, bank details, email, or phone number) to organizations or people before verifying their credentials.
9. Never share your banking details with someone you don’t know. The bank will never contact you by phone, text, or email to ask you for your banking details.
10. Don’t reply to a text or WhatsApp message or click on a website link in a message from someone you don’t know.
11. Don’t accept phone calls from a telephone number you do not recognize.
12. Don’t call back a telephone number included in a text, WhatsApp, or answering machine message from someone you do not know.
13. Don’t open an email document attachment from someone you don’t know.
14. Don’t visit a website you do not trust.
15. Don’t visit a website included in an email you have received from someone you do not know.
16. Do not allow anyone to install software or an application ( app ) on your computer or mobile phone.
17. Never send money to someone you don’t know or trust, whether in the UK or abroad.
18. Don’t feel pressured into making a decision or handing over money to someone you don’t know.
19. Don’t hand over money or sign anything until you’ve checked someone’s credentials and their company details.
20. Keep your computer or mobile device updated with the latest software.
21. Install anti-virus software on your computer or mobile device.
22. Never open an email, Whats app, or text message attachment unless you are 100% sure you know who the message is from.
23. Only visit trusted websites never visit a website included in an email, Whats app, or text message unless you know who the message is from.

1. A majority of the phone call scams come from Indian call centers where highly skilled Indian scammers exploit and manipulate innocent people all over the world.
2. If you receive a phone call from someone asking you for bank details or asking you to install an app or software on your mobile phone or computer put the phone down immediately.
3. A majority of the dating or romance scams come from Nigeria, West Africa. This region of the world is also known for a lot of other scams
4. Unfortunately, a large number of scams are run by worldwide criminal networks, and is very difficult to identify where the scammers come but one thing you can be sure of they will try everything possible to get your money.

1. If you’ve lost money to a scam and you paid with a credit or debit card or sent money through a bank account contact the bank or credit card provider as soon as possible who may be able to recover the money for you.
2. Report the scam at the Action Fraud website or police on 0300 123 2040 in you live in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
3. If you have paid via PayPal you can open a paypal dispute to get your money back.

Scammers will try everything possible to persuade you not to use a safe payment method when trying to scam you.

Follow these tips to protect yourself from scammers.

1. Use a credit card when purchasing goods or services online.
2. Use PayPal which offers buyer protection for buying goods and services online.
3. Before purchasing goods or services online from a website ensure the website is a safe and genuine website.
4. If purchasing services or goods via social media platforms use a credit card or paypal.com ( do not pay via PayPal using the friends and family option as you will not be covered by buyer protection