West Yorkshire Financial Exploitation and Abuse Team

Scam Prevention & Advice

Be SCAM Aware

Being aware of what scams are out there is a good way to protect yourself. Criminals are using advancements in technology to their benefit, to make scams harder to detect and also more successful in either taking your money or personal details.

WYFEAT have a video library available 24/7 via our YouTube page, offering short videos raising awareness of typical scams & frauds.

Click here to visit our YouTube page to view these short, informative videos suitable for all -

https://www.youtube.com/@westyorkshiretradingstanda1122

 

PHISHING

An email is sent purporting to be from a reputable company or organisation attempting to obtain personal details or payment information

SMISHING

Similar to Phishing, this time a text message is sent to a mobile phone, usually with a link included asking the recipient to enter their personal details or banking information.

 

Romance Scams

The criminals behind romance scams set out to deceive and influence the victims behaviour.

They take time to build a ‘relationship’, usually at a time when a person is most vulnerable.

DECEPTION

Everything about a romance scammer is fake. The name, the photographs, the occupation and the address.

Their circumstances are all made up and carefully crafted to lure the victim in, either by looking for empathy from a fake crisis they are experiencing, or an illusion of wealth and grandeur.

  

Romance Fraud does not happen overnight. It continues over a period of time, the criminals use persistence to maintain contact with victims.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE BEEN AFFECTED

  • Do not feel ashamed or embarrassed. Romance fraud is more common than you think, and you are not on your own.
  • Report concerns to your bank immediately. Never send any money or financial details.
  • Report to Action Fraud 0300 123 2040
  • Support is available -

Money Advice Service 0800 138 7777

Mind 0300 123 3393

Samaritans 116 123

Victim Support 0808 1689111

 

Mass Marketing Fraud (MMF)

Usually takes the format of an unexpected letter, email or text claiming that you have won a prize or high value goods.

The most common ones are Lotteries or Prize draws, Clairvoyants / Psychics or Investment scams

The contact with the victim either in writing or on the phone comes out of the blue and outlines either a big win or favourable returns from a small investment.

The criminals behind these types of scams will ask for your personal details or financial information (often both!) and then request a fee to unlock the big cash prize or release some equity.

It’s all a scam, and even by obtaining your personal details the criminals can utilise this in further fraud attempts.

 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE BEEN AFFECTED

  • Think – ‘You’ve got to be in to win’ And if you have never entered the prize draw or lottery then alarm bells should be ringing!
  • Report concerns to your bank immediately. Never send any money or financial details.
  • Report to Action Fraud 0300 123 2040
  • Stop all contact with the sender, do not respond to any communications