Citizens Advice and the Consumer Protection Partnership report that fraudsters have been approaching individuals via email and text messages, saying they can offer their victims refunds and rebates.
More than three-quarters of adults in the United Kingdom have been targeted by scammers using the cost of the living problem to obtain money and personal information, according to activists.
Scammers have contacted over 40 million people this year, a 14 percent rise from the previous year, in an attempt to “exploit the changing and tough conditions” and leave their victims “devastated and extremely distressed.”
Citizens Advice and the Consumer Protection Partnership report that con artists have started approaching individuals via email and text messages.
To claim a refund on their energy and council tax payments, customers must additionally provide their mother’s maiden name.
The most prevalent categories of cons:
Transports, postal and courier services (55 percent )
Someone posing as a member of the government or HMRC (41 percent )
Someone promoting fraudulent financial investments or “get rich quick” schemes (29 percent )
Refunds and rebates (28 percent )
Banking (27 percent )
Online purchasing (24 percent )
Wellness or medical (13 percent )
Energy frauds (12 percent )
Ahead of households getting financial reimbursements to assist with living expenses, Citizens Advice issued a warning about a variety of connected frauds, including emails purporting to be from Ofgem requesting bank account information in exchange for a £400 energy rebate.
Sheree, who is 65 years old and lives alone, receives approximately £800 per month from her pension and personal independence allowance to meet her essential expenses and care.
Although she had never bought online, she was the victim of a scam in which thieves charged approximately £1,000 to her card.
When I saw my account balance, my heart plummeted,” she added. I had no money, so I was unable to purchase food.
“I went to Citizens Advice because I was so distressed and upset. I do not know what I would have done without the food and fuel vouchers because I have no one to turn to for assistance.
My bank was able to recover my funds, but the ordeal was exceedingly stressful.
Recently, David, an Elgin electrician, lost over $1,400 to a clever delivery SMS scam.
He had received a text message purporting to be from a well-known delivery company requesting an additional £1.50 for parcel delivery.
As he was expecting a package, he clicked the link and was redirected to a website that requested his delivery address, phone number, card, and bank information.
Then, he received a phone call apparently from the fraud department of his bank, informing him of unusual activity on his account. Then, he was persuaded to deposit £1,400 into a new “secure” account.
Fiona Richardson, chief executive of Trading Standards Scotland, stated that a public awareness campaign had been begun and added, “Scammers are fast to take advantage of the shifting and difficult circumstances we are all currently facing.”
Scammers can take advantage of anyone, especially as their techniques become increasingly sophisticated.
