Latest news with #ActionFraud
The Independent
9 hours ago
- The Independent
Major warning issued over car park QR code scams amid rise in ‘quishing'
Criminals are using fraudulent QR codes in car parks to steal personal and financial information, Action Fraud has warned. Almost £3.5 million has been lost due to QR code scams with more than 780 reports of 'quishing' made to the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime between April 2024 and April 2025. Also known as QR code phishing, 'quishing' is a type of cyberattack where QR codes are used to trick individuals into visiting fraudulent websites or downloading malware. Fraudulent QR codes are most frequently used in car parks, with criminals using stickers to tamper with the scan codes already in place on parking machines. The scam is also used on online shopping platforms, where sellers received a QR code via email to either verify accounts or to receive payment for sold items. Some phishing attacks impersonate HMRC, or other UK government schemes, targeting people with QR codes designed to steal personal and financial details, reports show. People are being asked to stay vigilant and double-check QR codes to see if they are malicious, or have been tampered with, before scanning them online or in public spaces. Claire Webb, Acting Director of Action Fraud, said: 'QR codes are becoming increasingly common in everyday life, whether it's scanning one to pay for parking, or receiving an email asking to verify an online account. However, reporting shows cyber criminals are increasingly using quishing as a way to trick the public out of their personal and financial information. 'We're urging people to stop and check before scanning QR codes, to avoid becoming a victim of quishing. Look out for QR codes that may have been tampered with in open spaces, or emails and texts that might include rogue codes. If you're in doubt, contact the organisation directly.' Although QR codes used in pubs and restaurants are usually safe to scan, ones in open spaces like train stations or car parks, might pose a greater risk. Action Fraud suggests checking for signs that codes may have been tampered with, such as a sticker placed over a legitimate QR code. If you are unsure, it's best to not scan the QR code at all and instead find the official website or app of the organisation you are trying to make the payment to. If you receive an email with a QR code in it, and you're asked to scan it, you should be cautious due to an increase in these types of 'quishing' attacks. Another precaution to take is to always use the QR scanner that comes with your phone, rather than using an app downloaded from an app store, because it is more secure.
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Seven Hertfordshire job seekers scammed out of £200,000 in a month
Seven people have been scammed out of £200,000 after applying for fake Police said two people in Cheshunt and Watford each lost £70,000 after they carried out daily tasks through an app after they were targeted by fraudsters posing as reputable recruiters. All the cases happened in June and were reported to Action Fraud, the force said. Residents in Broxbourne, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead, Hitchin and St Albans also lost large sums of cash. 'Proceed with caution' A police spokesman said the victims were contacted on WhatsApp or text message by someone claiming to be from an online recruitment company. They were asked to use an app called "app optimisation" or "data optimiser". They were told they needed to complete a number of tasks and would be paid for each task, but were then told they would only get the money if they matched the amount they earned. Elaine Crate, the force's senior Beacon Fraud Hub manager, said: "If you receive an exciting job opportunity sent directly to you via WhatsApp, text message, social media platform or email, proceed with caution, particularly if you have been actively looking for a job, as scammers often target individuals who are job hunting."Legitimate recruitment agencies will never ask prospective candidates to pay any fees. "If you are asked to deposit money at any stage, this should be an immediate red flag."The force urged people to check the company that is trying to offer them a job and if "payments sound too good to be true". Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Winter fuel payment confusion leaves pensioners at risk of scams
Thousands of pensioners are at risk of being duped by fraudsters amid confusion over winter fuel entitlements. Scammers have sent a wave of bogus messages to pensioners across the country after Labour loosened eligibility rules for the annual heating allowance. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has warned that any texts regarding winter fuel are a scam and should be reported. Figures from Action Fraud show that thieves stole more than £14,000 from unsuspecting pensioners between October and March in the wake of Labour's original decision to means-test the allowance. Victims logged 323 incidents over the six-month period, with a total of £14,459 being lost to scammers. Fraudulent messages have surged again in the past week after scammers pounced on Rachel Reeves's decision to row back on the eligibility criteria for pensioners. One message pretending to be sent by the DWP read: 'Your account shows that you are eligible to apply for an Energy Allowance for 2024-25 up to a maximum of £300. Please complete the submission process by June 20th. Late applications will be void.' Recipients are then encouraged to click on a link directing them to a fake website that tricks them into giving up their personal information. In some cases, messages ask for a '£1 test payment to verify your card', which will be refunded within five to seven working days. Government departments, a host of councils and fraud charities have warned of the scams, urging pensioners to ignore all text messages related to winter fuel payments. The new eligibility criteria means pensioners earning below £35,000 are eligible for the support payment. Around two million pensioners earn more than the threshold, and will have the winter fuel payment claimed back through the tax system. If one pensioner in a household earns more than the threshold and the other doesn't, then £100 will be clawed back by HMRC from the higher earner. This is because the allowance is paid on a household level, so if there are two pensioners living in the same home, then it is split equally between them. Consumer expert Martyn James said that the complex eligibility criteria gives fraudsters an opening to exploit. He said: 'Because the system is so complicated, people genuinely don't know what their rights are. 'So if someone contacts them and it looks official, people who in the back of their mind are thinking 'maybe I'm entitled to this' get lured in. 'There's absolutely no excuse for the morally repugnant ways that fraudsters are exploiting topical news events, but there's no getting away from the fact that if the system was simpler and easier to understand, then a lot of these fraud attempts would not be successful.' Age UK has warned the elderly to be vigilant, stressing that if 'you're contacted out of the blue, you should never give over any personal information'. Pensioners confused by their entitlement are urged to ignore text messages. In a post on X, the DWP said: 'Beware: If you get a text about 'winter fuel payment' it is a scam. Winter fuel payments are made automatically, you do not need to do anything.' Anyone who receives a suspicious message is urged to report the scam on the Government's Stop! Think Fraud website.
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Anger at lack of action on 'Oasis ticket scammer'
A group of Oasis fans who claimed they were scammed out of cash for gig tickets have criticised an initial decision not to refer their complaints to Barker, from Oldham, and 18 other people said they had paid Merseyside man Stephen Cavanagh about £6000 between September last year and this January for tickets for the band's forthcoming Manchester Barker said when she challenged Mr Cavanagh, he denied trying to defraud anyone, but did not return her Barker was originally told by Action Fraud that there were "no viable lines of enquiry," but after the BBC began to investigate the agency referred the case to Merseyside Police, which said it was now looking into it. A BBC investigation has found that in the last year, there have been almost 10,000 reports of ticket fraud with losses totalling £ a leading expert said thousands of cases were not being investigated because police did not have the Barker said she was "extremely disappointed", adding: "It was only after me informing them both that I have escalated it and contacted the BBC that any action was instigated. "There is no deterrent out there for people not to commit this offence." Ms Barker said she had been Facebook friends with Mr Cavanagh, who had supported her after she had weight loss said he told her he had tickets for the Oasis gig in Heaton Park, Manchester, on 16 July, which he did not need because he was going to a friend's Barker, who like tens of thousands of other people had missed out on tickets when they went on sale, said she paid him £1,508 for children's home manager, who was planning to celebrate her 50th birthday at the gig, said: "I couldn't wait. I was beside myself that I could get tickets, and we could all experience it together, because it's probably the last time that they'll ever do a tour."Ms Barker said Mr Cavanagh had sent her what appeared to be a Ticketmaster confirmation saying he had the added: "He said his only condition was that I sent him selfies from the gig, and he even sent me GIFs of the band with the catch line 'All Your Dreams Are Made'."And I thought they were. "But shortly after Christmas, Ms Barker received a message from someone warning "anyone who has bought tickets from [Mr Cavanagh]… it's a scam".She said: "I thought, he can't be. He was a lovely lad, I thought."We had calls and Facetimed and he was so personable.""I just feel so embarrassed and ashamed."The BBC has spoken to 15 people who said they had paid Mr Cavanagh for tickets that never came, including former Emmerdale and Happy Valley actor Jamie Barker said Mr Cavanagh had "made mugs of us all". Mr Dorrington told the BBC he had paid for two tickets for his son's 18th was supposed to be a "special dad and lad night"."I'd missed out in the sale so when the offer came up, I was over the moon," he Cavanagh sent him a voice note at Christmas, saying: "All sorted, - hope you have a good time, just make sure you send us a picture when you're there."In a follow-up email, Mr Cavanagh then said: "Jamie, I've started getting some crazy offers for these tickets. Don't worry, mate, they're yours but I've had someone saying they were going to give me £600 for the tickets."Mr Dorrington said: "I even vouched for him over some Liverpool tickets he was offering, and my mate paid him for them."But he didn't turn up , saying his dad had died."So, I put his name into Facebook and saw he'd done the same to others and it was then I realised I'd been scammed."I just feel terrible, and I still haven't been able to tell my lad he's not going." The BBC approached Mr Cavanagh for comment by email and text message but has had no email to Ms Barker from one of Mr Cavanagh's accounts, sent shortly the BBC contacted him, said he had "already admitted to the police what I've the BBC has not been able to confirm if police have spoken to email added: "I'm not looking to get away with it. If I was a real scammer I wouldn't of [sic] used myself and my own social media."There isn't a lot more I can say but I want to pay everyone back."An email sent to another of his accusers said: "I have a drugs problem. I never did anything like this before and I want to get better. Once again I'm sorry. " 'Follow the money' Reports of ticket fraud are on the rise, and 38% of all ticket fraud claims relate to concerts, according to Action Fraud, which is run by the City of London received 600 fraud complaints relating to Taylor Swift's UK gigs last year, and a Lloyds Bank study suggested 1,000 Oasis fans had lost more than £2m to the people who claimed to have been swindled by Mr Cavanagh said they had made complaints to Action Walker, a ticket fraud expert, said thousands of claims like those against Mr Cavanagh were not being passed on to police for told the BBC: "City of London Police once had some of the country's leading fraud investigators, but police cuts saw so many senior detectives leave."That's left Action Fraud relying on pushing all these reports through algorithms and hoping that the computer says yes when in fact, more often than not, the computer says no - and it doesn't connect the dots."So, cases aren't being forward on to police."It happened years ago with the Beyonce concert - there was something like 209 cases sent to Action Fraud yet less than 20 were sent on for investigation."And that's because they're not looked at manually."How can they say there's no viable line of enquiry when they have a name and bank account details of the suspected scammer - that's an audit trail and a line of enquiry right there. First rule of fraud investigation: follow the money."Yet what's happening is that victims are not getting justice and others are put off reporting fraud because they don't think their case will be looked at." 'Let down' In a letter sent to each of Mr Cavanagh's alleged victims, Action Fraud said the case was sent to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau for review, adding: "It has not been possible to identify a line of enquiry which a law enforcement authority in the UK could pursue."Ms Barker said and others who had given money to Mr Cavanagh said she felt let down by Action Fraud and that the system was not fit for added: "I told them we know this man, so it's not a case of identity fraud. I'm struggling to process how they don't feel they have enough evidence to investigate. This is no deterrent, and, as victims, we don't feel supported by Action Fraud or the police."The BBC put the concerns raised by Ms Barker and Mr Walker to Action Fraud, but said: "Not all reports will be passed onto the police for investigation, but there are a number of other key outcomes which put victims first and prevent fraudsters from targeting more victims. "These include Action Fraud's National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU), which helps victims to reclaim stolen money and provides further practical and emotional support. "It also includes the developing of intelligence to assess the bigger picture of fraudulent activity happening across the UK, and disruptive action to prevent other people from falling victim, such as taking down websites, telephone numbers and email addresses linked to fraud."A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said: "We have received a referral from Action Fraud in relation to an alleged ticket fraud."Enquiries are in the process of being carried out." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, external, X, external, and Instagram, external. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Sky News
3 days ago
- Business
- Sky News
Money Problem: 'My bathroom fitter disappeared after I paid him £10,000. What can I do?'
Reader Muly got in touch with our Money team after being ghosted by his bathroom fitter... I paid a bathroom fitter £10,000 for a new bathroom and he has left the job halfway through, took all the products and closed his social media and phone line down. What can I do? We are really sorry to hear your story, Muly. Sadly, you're not alone in messaging in with experiences like this. While most tradespeople are trustworthy and reliable, a minority give the rest a bad name. We asked consumer rights expert Scott Dixon, AKA the Complaints Resolver, to look at your case. He said... A lot of this hinges on how you paid. If you paid cash, you could unfortunately be without recourse unless you got a receipt. If you did, I suggest you report this case to the police and Action Fraud and get a crime reference number. Cheques are treated like cash once the funds have cleared, but a bank may be able to trace the account that received the funds if you report it as fraud and a scam. Having a police reference number will also help here. Most people will make payments this large via bank transfer, so your main recourse is contacting your bank and telling them you've been scammed. There are two types of payment scams - one where you have fraudulently paid money direct to a scammer and one where your account has been hacked. The Contingent Reimbursement Model code is a voluntary code banks have signed up to where you have fraudulently paid money direct to a scammer. It sets out a number of circumstances in which firms are required to reimburse customers who have been the victims of certain types of scam. You need to push hard on this and say you were scammed, as claims often fail on the first attempt with staff not fully understanding how it works. It can and should be resolved within days, but some banks are much better than others. If your bank refuses to reimburse you for your losses, ask them for a deadlock letter. This is their final response, so you can refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service for review. Banks don't like complaints being referred to the Financial Ombudsman as it costs them money and they risk negative publicity. Trade associations This seems unlikely in your case, but check to see if the builder is a member of a trade association such as the Federation of Master Builders. The FMB conducts a vetting and independent inspection process for prospective members to ensure they meet the high standards expected of a Master Builder company. If they are a member of a trade association or a trader recommendation site like Checkatrade, you can contact them and ask if they can help you resolve your dispute. Small claims court If all else fails and you cannot secure a refund of your deposit and agree for the work to be completed, you could take your case to the small claims court if it was England, or follow Simple Procedure in Scotland. If you paid via cheque or bank transfer, this will help you track down the rogue builder. You can also find out if they are registered as a Limited Company on Companies House. I would also report this trader to Trading Standards and leave reviews online. General advice with tradespeople The most important thing whenever you get a quote from a tradesperson is to ask for it in writing - and insist on a full written contract (not just a quote) before work begins. Always get any promises or verbal confirmations put in writing. Don't feel guilty by insisting on it. It protects both parties and eliminates any confusion over what was discussed and promised. This creates a paper trail of evidence if you need to escalate a complaint. If they don't confirm what was verbally agreed, write or text them afterwards so you have that written confirmation. If the quote was made verbally, and you have no written contract, you could try and rely on any text messages or emails as part of your evidence if you need to escalate your complaint. A trader will often ask for a deposit to buy materials and agree staged payments in a contract to provide you with peace of mind if any issues arise before making a final payment. Many builders and tradespeople have multiple jobs ongoing and work around the weather. Sourcing materials can also be problematic, so ensure the contract covers this and any delays completing the work and disputes that may arise on quality of work. Seek a deadline for completion in writing.
