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Action Fraud’s advice in the current coronavirus emergency - and beyond, is summarised below:
1) Watch out for scam messages
Don’t click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails, and never respond to unsolicited messages and calls that ask for your personal or financial details.
2) Shopping online:
If you’re making a purchase from a company or person you don’t know and trust, carry out some research first, and ask a friend or family member for advice before completing the purchase. If you decide to go ahead with the purchase, use a credit card if you have one, as most major credit card providers insure online purchases. This is not the case with debit cards.
For more information on how to shop online safely, please visit: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/shoponlinesafely
3) Protect your devices from the latest threats:
Always install the latest software and app updates to protect your devices from the latest threats.
For information on how to update your devices, please visit: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/securing-your-devices
For the latest health information and advice about COVID-19 please visit the NHS website.
Support for victims
If you’ve been scammed, conned or ripped off there is something you can do about it.
Action Fraud is the UK’s national fraud reporting centre, and is the place to go to report fraud or to get advice.
Sometimes people choose not to report fraud or seek advice because they are embarrassed that they fell for a scam, con, swindle, or any other word used to describe the crime.
Remember that fraud is a crime and that fraudsters will constantly reinvent themselves to find new ways of tricking people. Anyone could be a victim.
What should you do first?
If debit or credit cards, online banking or cheques are involved, your first step should be to contact your bank or credit card company.
If you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact Action Fraud. You can report a fraud using Action Fraud’s online fraud reporting tool or by calling Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
If a crime is being committed you should call the police on 101 or if you are in danger on 999.
Ongoing support
When you report a fraud to Action Fraud, you are given the option to have your contact details passed on to Victim Support, the national charity that helps those affected by crime. If you take up this option, you will be contacted by someone from the charity and offered free and confidential emotional support and practical help.
If you know the criminals behind any type of fraud, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by using our secure online form. You can also contact your local police on 101.
If you've lost money to any type of fraud, report it to Action Fraud.
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