LATEST SCAMS IDENTIFIED BY KENT POLICE FRAUD SQUAD

Please find attached fraud alerts from K'FAS (Kent Fraud Alert System).

Message Sent By Stephen Kelly

(Kent Police, Fraud Protect Officer, Prevent And Protect Team)

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Good News Story

Scams Bank Impersonation Courier Fraud

Action Fraud has received 752 reports in four days relating to fake emails purporting to be from Ofgem. The emails state that the recipient is eligible for a rebate as a result of a newly announced government scheme. The links in the emails lead to genuine-looking websites that are designed to steal your personal and financial information.

Please view our tweet to see a screenshot of the fake emails reported to Action Fraud: CLICK HERE

Remember, your bank, or any other official organisation, won’t ask you to share personal information over email or text. If you need to check that it’s a genuine message, contact the company using details from their official website or app.
Spotted a suspicious email? Forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) - report@phishing.gov.uk

WEBSITE

Kent Police warn residents about Courier Fraud. Reported incidents in Ashford, Ramsgate, Whitstable and Canterbury Courier Fraud is when you are targeted by criminals and tricked into handing over cash, bank card or other valuables.

They pose as Police Officers or bank staff, contacting you to withdraw money and give it to a courier who will come to your home. The criminals may also convince you to hand over your bank card and PIN to the courier or ask you to buy high-value items.

Remember:- The Police or bank will never ask for your PIN or will never send a courier to collect your cash, card or other items. They will also never cold call you, asking you to take part in an investigation which involves you taking money from your bank.

If you are targeted by Courier Fraud report to Action Fraud www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

Let your bank know if you have told the criminals any bank details or given them your bank card.

For advice, contact @Citizens Advice consumer helpline 0808 223 1133.

Please warn friends and family.

Jill Carter writes:-

My friend has been phone-scammed: it's the one where they pretend to be your son or daughter. They claim to be changing mobile number and get you to save the new number.

Then they request some large amount of money which they can't pay because they have changed their number and so their bank security won't work.

They will ask you to pay it for them. Throughout the scam you will be fooled into thinking this is your child needing your help. It's very convincing and is usually done by text messaging, so you won't hear a voice.

My friend is no fool.

Ring your bank and contact your children directly to check anything like this.