January 2023 Wandsworth Fraud and Cyber Crime Summary

This month we are sharing January 2023 figures from the Wandsworth Fraud and Cyber Crime Summary. The figures do not specifically relate to older people, but they are Wandsworth specific and show the extent and nature of cyber crime committed in the area, showing 146 offences across the month with a total loss of £311,509.60.

• This averages at a loss of just over £2,000 per victim
• The most offences were recorded from online shopping and online auctions – 34 in total
• The most money was lost from bank card, cheques and online banking frauds, at nearly £100,000 from 14 different offences

Therefore, the Metropolitan Police have issued specialist advice to help combat bank account frauds:

• Bank account fraud has occurred if transactions you haven’t made show up on your bank statement. It can happen as a result of identity theft, when cards or bank account information has been stolen.
• You can protect yourself by using the following tips:
• Don’t throw out anything with your name, address or financial details without shredding it first.
• If you receive an unsolicited email or phone call from what appears to be your bank or building society asking for your security details, never reveal your full password, login details or account numbers. Most banks will not approach their customers in this manner.
• If you are concerned about the source of a call, ask the caller to give you a main switchboard number for you to be routed back to them. Alternatively, hang up and call your bank back on the legitimate phone number printed on your bank statements.
• Check your statements carefully and report anything suspicious to the financial institution concerned.
• If you’re expecting a bank or credit card statement and it doesn’t arrive, tell your bank or credit card company.
• Don’t leave things like bills lying around for others to look at.
• If you move house, always get Royal Mail to redirect your post.
• Get regular copies of your credit report from a credit reference agency.
• Notify your bank immediately if you see any unusual activity on your account.

They have also issued more general advice, which we have listed below with their contact details:

1. Hang up (Never give details or money following a cold call)
2. Take 5 (Seek a second opinion, tell someone what has happened)
3. Verify (if concerned, contact the company via a pre-confirmed method)

All of our videos and electronic leaflets can be found on the following link; www.met.police.uk/littlemedia

Free cyber advice can be found https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/home

 Always report scams, fraud, and cyber crime to Action Fraud, either online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by telephone on 0300 123 2040.

STOP Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.

CHALLENGE Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

PROTECT Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud

Age UK Wandsworth chairs Wandsworth CAOP (Crimes Against Older People Project), which facilitates collaboration between organisations across the borough to address crimes which target older people, their families and their carers. This includes our popular Scams Awareness talks and 1:1 support for those affected by scams with our specialist adviser Debbie. You can find out more about our Scams Prevention work here.

We are running a FREE Scams Bingo event for older people in Wandsworth on Wednesday 15^th March 2023 at the Gwynneth Morgan Day Centre, 52 East Hill, SW18 2HJ at 10.30am with UK Finance's Take Five Stop Fraud. Call 020 8877 8947 to find out more.