Have you noticed you’re getting loads more fake messages recently? Some are really easy to spot and avoid. Straight into the trash.
But some of them are incredibly sophisticated and regularly con people out of their money and personal information. HMRC has released some more guidance on handling scam communications pretending to be them. And some banks are setting up one unified hotline to protect people from authorised push payment (bank transfer) scams.
Check out the following information, note anything new to you and keep yourself fully armed against fraudsters.
Are there actually more of these scams at the moment?
Yes, it’s not just that you’re noticing them more. There has been an enormous increase in impersonation and bank scams recently. Presumably, as criminals adapt to the impact of COVID-19 on the other parts of their illegal businesses.
And there are official figures to support this.
- Bank transfer fraud generated £479m losses in 2020. In the first six months of 2021, there were 106,164 reported cases which is an increase of 71%. This means that the total stolen using this method will be almost double by the end of the year, if this rate continues.
- HMRC got 441,954 reports of phone scams in the last year a 117% increase on the previous year. They also received 1,048,396 reports of suspicious communications from the public and around half of these were to do with tax rebates or refunds.
Fraudsters are focusing on these scams at the moment. It’s partly a numbers game with the more they send, the higher the number of successful cons. And they can be very clever about it. That’s why so many people end up being victims of this kind of crime.
How do I avoid HMRC and bank scams?
HMRC’s ‘Scams Briefing’ document contains a useful list of “the main things to looks out for:
- Is the contact unexpected?
- Does it offer a refund, rebate or financial support?
- Does it ask for personal information?
- Is it threatening?
- Does it ask you to transfer money?”
Ask these questions of any communications you receive from HMRC; texts, emails, phone calls, social media contact. In fact, aside from the tax refund or rebate focus, they’re good questions to ask of anything you receive from official organisations.
The good thing is that you’re in charge of this. It’s all down to our usual ‘think before you click’ mantra. If an email isn’t 100% kosher, don’t open any links or attachments. If you get a phone call that doesn’t feel right, or is downright threatening, just hang up. If that HMRC text message is a surprise, don’t click on any links until you’ve double checked.
Lots of basic cyber security stuff is around giving yourself time to think. We’re so used to the one-click option that it’s easy to speed through things without thinking. But we need to slow down and add that protective layer of questioning.
There’s a balance to be struck here. You need to be aware, but not unduly frightened. You’ve got the power to protect yourself. Having said that, these cons are based on real psychological manipulation techniques particularly if they catch you on the phone.
The person on the other end pretends to be from HMRC, or another official organisation. This is why they’re called ‘impersonation scams’. They can sound and look convincing.
Bank scams are called Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams. They also deceive people into believing they’re someone they’re not and the aim is to get you to make a bank transfer into their account. These scams have increased by so much this year, that the amount stolen has overtaken card fraud for the first time.
Again, the answer is to be suspicious. Don’t transfer any money unless you’re certain that its destination is real.
What are HMRC and the financial institutions doing about this problem?
HMRC’s answer…
HMRC fight a running battle with the criminals impersonating them, with a considerable amount of success. In their most recent briefing, HMRC reports:
- 13,315 phishing web pages reported for takedown
- 441 web pages containing scam web pages discovered and asked service providers to remove
- 2,460 phone numbers used to make fake tax phone calls removed with the help of Ofcom and telecoms companies.
- 462 text message COVID-19 scams found
Their work against con artists is ongoing. And they regularly publish details of any new scams in order to raised public awareness.
Banks new scam checker number
The Global Cyber Alliance and Stop Scams UK created a new pilot scheme to help consumers identify dodgy communications.
Those involved are Google, BT, Barclays, Lloyds (including Halifax and Bank of Scotland), NatWest (including Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank), Santander and Starling Bank.
Basically, you can phone 159 to check if a caller is genuine. It’s purely for calls that say they’re from a bank or other financial institution. Before you transfer money, give any bank details, make a payment or discuss anything to do with your personal or business finances – you can call 159 to get authentication.
This is currently being trialled for a year. If it’s successful, then Stop Scams UK will ask for it to become a universal number that’s available to everyone on every network. If Ofcom agree, then it’ll be like using 111 or 999. TSB has already said that it’s coming on board in January 2022.
You’re in charge of your information
Yes, these criminals are very good at what they do and routinely make a lot of money by scamming people like us. But you’re in charge of every angle here.
- Think before you click: If you’re not certain its genuine, don’t open links or attachments in emails or messages
- Hang up: No matter what they’re saying, you can always end a phone call. HMRC aren’t sending the police or the bailiffs round based on this one out of the blue phone call. Just end it.
- Report it: Quickly forward emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and messages to 60599. Report phone calls on GOV.UK. If you’ve lost money to a fraudster, no matter how embarrassed you feel, report it to your bank and either Action Fraud, or the 101 police number if you live in Scotland.
We’ll regularly remind you about good cyber security practices and keep you up-to-date with any new scams doing the rounds. You’ve worked hard for your money, let’s keep it safe.
Tony Shanks