Bromley Trading Standards is warning residents to continue to be vigilant against impersonation scams and advising everyone how to spot the signs.
Impersonation fraud happens when an individual is convinced to make a payment or give personal and financial details to someone claiming to be from a well-known organisation such as the police, your bank or a service provider, or even someone you trust.
Scammers will typically make contact via a phone call, a text, an email, or on social media, appearing to be from a trusted organisation. They may falsely report that the target's bank account is at risk, for example, and instruct that the money be sent to a 'safe account'.
If impersonating a friend or family member, the scammer may also ask for urgent help to pay a debt, bill, or other fees. Criminals often invent reasons such as these to ask for money or trick victims into sending money elsewhere.
In attempting to reassure people, a common tactic of fraudsters is to advise the resident to call the organisation immediately on their actual number, e.g. from the back of their bank card. The scammer then stays on the line without the person realising so they think they are speaking to the real organisation, when in fact the scammer is still connected.
The advice is, if you are asked to send money urgently, always be suspicious, especially if you have been contacted unexpectedly. Remember, as with any scam, fraudsters want you to give them your money or personal and financial information.
To protect yourself from impersonation scams, take note of the following:
- Stop and think before clicking on any links or replying to messages. Are these really genuine? Check directly with someone you can trust first.
- Your bank or the police will never ask you to transfer money to a safe account.
- If you receive a suspicious call, hang up. Contact the real organisation on a trusted number – wait for some time before calling or use a different phone.
- Only give personal or financial information to those you have requested to contact you.
Report and assistance
Visit the new Get Safe Online Self-Help Tool Centre on the Get Safe Online website.
Contact your bank if you have given your financial details. Call 159 — Stop Scams UK.
Contact Citizens Advice for help and advice on 0808 223 1133 or on the Citizens Advice website.
Report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or on the Action Fraud website.
Forward suspicious emails to mailto:report@phishing.gov.uk.
Report suspicious text messages to your phone provider on 7726.
Report a suspicious website via the National Cyber Security Centre website.
You can also visit the scams page on the council website for more information.
Learn more about impersonation fraud on the Take Five – Stop Fraud website.
Bromley Trading Standards
To keep up with the latest scam alerts and warnings from Bromley Trading Standards sign up on www.bromley.gov.uk/TradingStandardsAlertSignUpForm.
Bromley Trading Standards also runs a fair-trader directory to help you find a safe, reliable trader that you can trust, visit www.bromley.gov.uk/tradingstandardschecked to learn more.