Financial fraud and scams

Keeping you and your business safe is our top priority

We work hard to keep your finances and personal details safe. However, you play an essential role too, and we want to make sure you know how to protect your business.

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If you think your Santander accounts have been compromised, or you may have given out your security details, please call us immediately on: 0800 085 0937

Can you spot the telltale signs of a deepfake?

Deep fakes videos where AI technology has been used to create realistic but fake images and sounds.

Making it seem like someone is saying or doing something they never actually did.

It’s use is relatively new, but it will become more mainstream going forward.

For scammers, it’s a powerful tool they can use to steal your money.

So, how can we detect a fake? Look for blurring around the mouth. The person might blink less frequently than usual. If they are wearing glasses, the light reflections might not look right. The background may not feel unnatural. If something looks strange, trust instincts.

In the same way you already look at the scams, being cautious is always the right approach.

HMRC and banks are continuously impersonated. I’ve even been impersonating myself. This video is just the latest example.

As you might have guessed… this isn’t me; this is a deepfake, created to warn you about deepfakes. But this technology will continue to evolve, so in addition to what you can see, context is very important. Think,

How did the video reach you? Is the source reliable? Are they asking for money? If they are asking for money, that’s a big red flag.

Deepfakes of famous people are constantly on the news. But you should think twice if an influencer you follow offers something too good to be true, or if your boss or children send an urgent request for money.

Even with deepfakes the basic steps to avoiding scams still apply. Does it sound too good? Is the firm claiming they can double your money or actually registered with the FCA? Avoid investment opportunities that pop up on social media.

Deepfakes aren’t perfect just yet but was this good enough to catch you out?


Through a convincing deepfake, Chris Ainsley, Head of Fraud Risk Management at Santander, explains the key red flags to look out for and how criminals are using deepfakes to scam people.



Watch the video to see how one of our clients was targeted by scammers

Saagar from Dentistry100 was close to becoming a victim of a payment redirection scam. The scammer was very convincing and made Saagar believe he was one of his suppliers. But thanks to our scam awareness campaigns, he knew to check directly with his supplier first on a trusted number. Watch how Saagar spotted the red flags.



Russell and his team at Consolid8 Logistics were targeted by an impersonation scam call. However, with our support they have the right internal process in place to avoid scammers like this. Watch how Russell and his team dealt with the scammer, and how important it is to take steps to protect your business.

There are lots of different scams that target businesses. Knowing how these scams work, and how to protect yourself and your business can make all the difference. Learn more about the most common types of scams and what you can do to stay safe.


Other ways to keep your business safe


Never disclose your security details

Sensitive information such as your bank card details, token codes and security information (PINs and passwords) shouldn’t be shared with anyone – not even your bank. We’ll only ever ask you for part of the details, such as the first and fifth letters of your password.

 

Reporting Fraud

If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud or a scam, or you’re worried you may have given out any of your security details, call us straight away on 0800 085 0937.


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