Be alert! Take care before you enter information on sites or send details to people. We regularly hear of criminal gangs attempting to get the personal data they need for online fraud in ever-more creative ways.
There are a wide range of threats, which we'll go into. But if you think you've responded to a scam email or given your details to the wrong people, call our Online Banking Helpdesk on 0845 600 4388 (7am-11pm Monday to Saturday and 9am-9pm Sundays).
As you'd expect, we're always keen to hear about the latest scams - so please forward anything suspicious to phishing@santander.co.uk
Be assured that we do investigate every report we receive, though cannot guarantee a response to each email forwarded.
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| Phishing 419 Fraud/Advanced Fee |
Trojans (Malware) Money Mule Recruitment |
Investment Fraud / Share Sale Scams |
Phishing is a common form of online crime. Basically, it involves sending out fake emails and creating websites that look like a genuine Internet Service Provider (ISP), bank or retail outlet. These are used as bait to fool unsuspecting people into releasing their personal financial information.
What are the tell-tale signs?
Several things should ring alarm bells.
Click here to see what phishing emails may look like.
How do you avoid it?
What should you do if you're a victim?
If you think you've responded to a scam email or given your details out to the wrong people, please call our Online Banking Helpdesk on 0845 600 4388 (7am-11pm Monday to Saturday and 9am-9pm Sundays).
As you'd expect, we're always keen to hear about the latest scams - so please forward anything suspicious to phishing@santander.co.uk
Be assured that we do investigate every report we receive, though cannot guarantee a response to each email forwarded.
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Trojans & malicious software (malware)
The term 'Trojan' comes from the story tale of the Trojan Horse. In this case, though, it's a programme designed to complete a hidden act. An example: fake anti-virus software that,, installs malware on your device (e.g. laptop or desktop).
Ultimately, malware is used by hackers to get information from your device, record passwords or read data that you input.
What are the tell-tale signs?
It's difficult to tell when a Trojan's on your device. They're designed to carry out their illegal operations without interfering with its normal running. However, it's worth remembering that:
How do you avoid it?
What should you do if you're a victim?
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Investment Fraud / Share Sale Scams
Have you been contacted unexpectedly by people you don't know offering you a chance to invest in shares, land, or some other scheme promising excellent returns? If so, it may be an Investment Fraud.
What is Investment fraud?
Investment Frauds and Scams (sometimes known as Boiler Room Frauds due to the high pressured sales techniques used) are constantly evolving as potential investors become more aware of previous scams and the fraudsters seek new avenues of exploitation. As such it is hard to define exactly what the fraud might look like, but generally, it is against the law to 'cold call' a person and try to sell them shares or other investments. This is the best indicator that you may be dealing with a fraudster.
Investment frauds typically involve the sale of worthless, or even non-existent shares, but variations can include sale of rights in land, carbon credits, crop growing (overseas) and vintage wines etc.
If you deal with an investment fraudster you will almost certainly lose all of your money, and you will have no right to claim compensation in the UK, as they will not be authorised by the FSA to sell investments.
The FSA estimates that victims are defrauded of £500 million every year.
Possible indicators of investment fraud include (but are not limited to):
There is more information available on the FSA and Action fraud websites.
The frauds are not always done by phone; you may receive offers by post or email, or even be invited to a face to face presentation.
The fraudsters are extremely organised and will sound professional; they will read from carefully prepared scripts that are designed to provide answers to any questions that wary investors may put to them.
They are very persistent and refuse to take 'no' as an answer. They may claim to be from an FSA registered firm, or they may use a name that sounds very similar to an FSA registered firm.
There are also indications that some frauds start with an initial investment that appears to pay out some reward in order to 'hook' their victims and persuade them to make bigger investments which are part of the fraudulent scheme.
How to protect yourself
If you receive an unsolicited call, the best advice is simply to hang up.
Other courses of action you could consider include:
What can I do if I have been a victim or I may have been contacted by a suspicious company?
If you suspect that you have been the contacted by an investment fraud firm you should report this to
If you have sent any money you should also report this to your local police as well as the above.
If you have been a victim you may get targeted by other fraudsters, this may include other investment fraud firms and firms known as recovery rooms, who may suggest that they can help you to recovery your losses. These are often the same people who committed the original fraud looking to extend the fraud further by asking for a 'recovery fee'.
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419 fraud is very common in countries like Nigeria - in fact, it's called 419 Fraud after the Nigerian criminal code it violates. This particular scam involves tricking victims into believing that they'll receive vast sums of money once they've paid a fee to release some of the funds. As you might guess, the fraudster takes the victim's payment, but never sends any money back.
What are the tell-tale signs?
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What is 'money mule' recruitment?
Most fraudsters are located abroad. And because most UK banks don't allow cross-border transfers from online bank accounts, they recruit innocent people to launder their money. These 'money mules' receive funds from the fraudsters into their bank account, withdraw it and then use a wire transfer service to send it abroad.
What are the tell-tale signs?