Gransnet forums

Sponsored discussions

   Please note: This topic is for discussions paid for by Gransnet clients. If you'd like to have your own paid for discussion thread, please feel free to mail us at [email protected]. If you are a journalist, start-up or student and you want to request feedback from gransnetters, please post in Media Requests.

Ask your fraud and scam questions to Take Five to Stop Fraud representative and Senior Fraud Prevention Officer Tony Blake - chance to win £150 voucher! NOW CLOSED

(156 Posts)

GNHQ have commented on this thread. Read here.

EllieGransnet (GNHQ) Tue 16-Jan-18 17:17:31

Finding out you have been a victim of fraud and/or a scam is never a pleasant experience and often figuring out whether a call/text/email is a scam and/or fraudulent can be quite difficult. Therefore Tony Blake, a Take Five representative and Senior Fraud Prevention Officer would love to answer your questions and queries on fraud and scams.

Here is what Take Five have to say: “Fraudsters are now very sophisticated so it is more important than ever that people are aware of the advice on how to protect themselves from becoming a victim of fraud. Always question any calls, texts or emails asking for your details out of the blue. Stop and think before you give away any information, no matter how legitimate the person sounds – remember – it’s My Money? My Info? I don’t think so. If you’re unsure, hang up and don’t reply and contact the organisation directly on a number you trust.”

Do you want to know the difference between a fraud and a scam? Perhaps you’re not sure what to look out for when it comes to knowing whether something is a scam or not? Or Maybe you have been a victim of a scam before and want to know how to protect yourself in the future?

Here is some more information on fraud expert, Tony Blake:
Tony Blake is a former police officer who currently works for the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU) and Financial Fraud Action UK (FFA UK). Through a range of programs, Tony helps to proactively raise awareness and prevent Fraud.

Please post your questions on the thread below and we’ll choose 15 for Tony Blake to answer and then post a link to the responses as soon as possible. Everyone who posts a question will be entered into a prize draw where one GNer will win a £150 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck
GNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Pumpkin2 Thu 18-Jan-18 19:52:15

Should I get a special wallet to prevent my contactless card from being compromised?

Minnibix Thu 18-Jan-18 20:01:44

I do love my contactless payment card, but how do I keep it safe, help please

Funkyferret Thu 18-Jan-18 20:13:15

If ordering online I never check the box offering the option to keep my card details on the company's website for future purchases. It's a hassle to type all the details in over and over again but am I right to do this or am I being over cautious?

ItsGreatBeingAGran Thu 18-Jan-18 20:32:01

On my PC I have virus protection/firewall etc so I'm happy to access my online banking accounts on this, however I'm less happy at using my iPhone to access my current account online.

Does my iPhone offer me any protection against hackers etc.

Thank you.

rennie1811 Thu 18-Jan-18 20:48:57

what should you look out for on atm's to ensure that they are safe to use?

lynsmagoo Thu 18-Jan-18 21:47:41

Is it safe to share your name, address, date of birth and telephone number over the internet? For example for competitions etc

fld14 Thu 18-Jan-18 22:48:53

Can the camera on my laptop allow hackers to see whats happening in my house?

Cailin7 Fri 19-Jan-18 00:01:39

I would like to know how to spot scam or fraudulent emails.

mazgoli Fri 19-Jan-18 00:12:04

I often get calls telling me that I have a problem with my internet connection and that they are calling from BT - we're not with BT. Once they even told me that I was going to cease to be connected to the internet after the weekend and I needed their help. Presumably they want to sell something to 'protect' me. How would I know if there was a genuine call regarding the internet connection.

Helsbells68 Fri 19-Jan-18 07:29:27

How can you tell if an email offering a prize is genuine when you have entered competitions for the same prizes.

Lydiafrew Fri 19-Jan-18 07:39:36

Twice my bank has picked up someone trying to fraudulently use my card details online. The second time, it was a new card that I had only used 7 times in local shops and a petrol station. I had not given my details out to anyone or made any online payments. How could someone have still got hold of my card details and tried to make an online payment in the US?

mbody Fri 19-Jan-18 10:26:09

I just hang up on what I think are fraudulent calls and then add them to spam calls via BT, should I do more?

lauzc87 Fri 19-Jan-18 11:08:04

What is the best way to protect myself against fraud online? Are there any apps or programs that you recommend me to download?

BeHappy Fri 19-Jan-18 17:11:33

How likely is it to get your money back if you have been scammed?

beckyinman Fri 19-Jan-18 18:53:21

What can I do to stop the amount of phishing emails I get. I must get about 5 a day

Flickabella36 Fri 19-Jan-18 20:01:44

What can people do with your name and address? Surely it's easy to come across that kind of information

dilydaly Fri 19-Jan-18 21:05:15

I was meant to come across this thread today wasn't I ?
Just yesterday something very strange happened, in the space of 15 minutes, around 1200 emails arrived in my account, my normally quiet email account that I've had for years and rarely give out. Every single one of these emails was from a website where an account had been created using my email and of the couple that I checked, they were genuine websites. Why on earth would someone open all these accounts using my email address ?! On top of the 1200 that arrived in my inbox, another 2200odd arrived in my junk folder.
Things got even stranger when I got a text from Paypal, giving me a security code (the kind you get if you want to change passwords etc), the strange thing about this is that my Paypal account isn't linked to the email account above ! Can you please tell me what on earth is going on ?
Can you advise how I can avoid something like this happening again ? My passwords have never been weak so I really am dumbfounded !
Needless to say, I've changed all passwords and added security information.
Many thanks in advance

cornergran Fri 19-Jan-18 21:15:59

How safe are Apple products really? Weve changed to Apple, so an iMac, iPad and iPhone. Apple tell us no added security protection is needed. After years of Windows products with virus protection packages this feels, well, odd and very insecure. Is it true, or do we need to add something to the iMac and iPad?

Maggiemaybe Sat 20-Jan-18 00:04:27

How often is a scam carried out by a genuine employee of a bank or card company? I once had to ring my credit card company (using a number I was sure was theirs) and was concerned that after the usual four or five security questions the person I was connected to started asking for passwords, PIN, etc. I refused to answer, asked to be put through to his manager and he quickly said I had failed security and hung up on me. I rang the bank back and they confirmed that I had been speaking to one of their employees, and sounded concerned when I told them of my call - I hope it was investigated further. It made me wonder how often scams can be carried out by genuine bank employees (perhaps casual or temporary ones) who have access to our records.

Archos Sat 20-Jan-18 12:02:45

Some small traders and even car boot sellers offer payment by handheld card reading devices. I've never heard of any security issues with them, but are there any precautions to take?

Springhead Sat 20-Jan-18 12:18:30

Last year my bank card was cloned. I have no idea how as I had not been to the cashpoint in over 2 weeks, the card had not been out of my possession and no-one has access to my bank details. I have purchased online before but it was some time since I had done even that. I had used my card on 4 occasions in the preceding 10 days (Boots, Wilko, Tesco, Asda). Although I got my money refunded by my bank it was hassle I could have done without . What can I do to reduce the chances of something similar occurring again?

craftygran Sat 20-Jan-18 14:27:21

Is it safe having credit card details stored on Amazon. My husband says it is but I'm not sure.

babyroo Sat 20-Jan-18 15:06:04

I have been the victim of a scam from a friend I trusted, but the police were not as interested as they should have been. How can I prevent this happening again and who can I turn to to ensure justice prevails?

Bestbuddy1977 Sat 20-Jan-18 15:13:50

As a regular user of social media I last year received a message from Facebook asking me to change my password as I’d had it for some time. Regrettably I changed it but then it asked for my bank details to confirm my identity. I literally don’t know what I was thinking but I did it. It looked so much like the real thing. I two seconds later had to call my bank & inform them. My gut told me not to give my details but I still Done it : /
Anyway...my question...
How do you know social media pages, groups etc are genuine?

keffie Sat 20-Jan-18 19:07:52

I am I would say savvy on the world of internet crime. I have 2 adult sons who work in the world of the internet with software developing and engineering. They bought us up kicking and screaming with it all.

I was shocked a few months ago that some one had tried to debit my card online. Fortunately my bank recognised it was suspicious and rang me.

I was gutted as I am so careful . I spoke to our eldest about it who reassured me that however careful you are that nothing is impossible.

If you have paid for something for example over the phone and you are asked for details to pay that is another way of them getting your details. It seems however careful and knowledgeable you are you can't stop it.

My question is will they ever beable to completely stop fraud do you think? The fraudsters seem to be getting more and more sophisticated however much prevention you put in front of them