An update on the scams trending at the moment in West Yorkshire

Anti-Scam Tips

With many older people alone or in lockdown at home, the threat of scams must be taken seriously. The following have been reported:

• Email circulating to businesses purporting to be from the Chief Finance Officer from Local Councils advising them of eligibility for a £25,000 grant. This is not genuine and a scam email.
• Criminals continue to take advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to commit fraud, as a scam involving the purchase of pets, such as puppies and kittens, continues to be reported to Action Fraud.
• Fraudsters selling fake ‘NHS’ lanyards to purchase online. Obviously these are not genuine NHS items but something to be aware of when we are engaging with elderly / vulnerable residents. Just because someone is wearing a lanyard doesn’t make their intentions genuine.
• Supermarket Voucher scams continue to increase. Multiple reports of fake supermarket adverts on Social Media offering vouchers for families to spend in store during the pandemic.
• Apple Itunes phishing email claiming that billing information needs to be updated or account will be terminated.
• TV Licence Phishing email claiming that direct debits have been cancelled and payment information is needed.
• Paypal Phising email claiming you won’t be able to use the service unless you update your information online.

YOUR DOORSTEP YOUR DECISION
If you feel pressured, ask the person to leave.NO SNAP DECISIONS
Take time to talk to someone you trust before you make any decisions.DO THE CHECKS
You can check ID badges and contact associations to check membership registrations yourself. Call the telephone number of the organisation, obtain this number yourself, not from the person at the door.Forward scam emails to report@phishing.gov.ukReport complaints to Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline: 0808 223 1133Report scams to Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040