BE FRAUD AWARE
The Eastern Region's Regional Organised Crime Unit exists largely to deal with high-level crime, such as terrorism, gun crime, slavery and child exploitation, but it does produce some useful information on economic crime which is focused on fraud.
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With the introduction of NHS Test & Trace, Essex Police has produced guidance against fraudulent callers purporting to be Contact tracers. Click on Essex Police guidance for more... and on Essex Police Covid19 for an update created on 7th August 2020... For full Government guidance on the procedure, follow the link to NHS Test & Trace...
Notice has also been issued about a TV Licence scam which has begun following the introduction of new procedures in August 2020. Click on Essex Police TV Licence link for more information...
Further publications dated 13th November 2020 covering investment fraud and fraudulent PayPal emails and dated 4th December 2020 dealing with fake BT calls can be found by clicking on Essex Police Investment Fraud and Essex Police BT calls respectively...
An update on 5th March 2021 concerns Holiday Fraud...
...and the latest from April 2021 concerns Romance Fraud...
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How fraudsters are intercepting deliveries to read more about it see the Which? article
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Fake delivery texts link to cloned Post Office website for more information see this link to the Which? article
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Fake Santander new payee texts suggesting you have set up a new direct debit to someone read more in the Which? article
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Omicron variant fake PCR test emails and texts read more in this Which? article
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Energy scams read more about it in the following Which? article
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Romance scams the cost of Romance fraud - see more in Which? from here
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British Gas phishing email Which? warns of scam email promising £400 refund read more here
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Fake amazon Locked Account emails Which? shows what it looks like and how to spot them find out more
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5 biggest scams of 2021 Which? reminds us that sadly they haven't gone away remind yourselves here
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Fake PCR test text Which? text demanding you order PCR kit as you're a contact how to spot these fake texts
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New travel scams Which? highlights 6 travel scams to watch out for
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Energy supplier failure Which? highlights unexpected debt chasing emails read about it here
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Warning: WhatsApp scam continues Which? dubs it Mum and Dad scam
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Fake Currys emails Which? alerts us to 2 phishing emails with enticing offers see what they look like
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Sponsored ads harbouring scams, rip offs and fake news Which? has investigated and explains how they work
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Watch out for fake Royal Mail chat bot scam Which? exposes latest twist on delivery scam and shows what it looks like
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Scam watch Which? highlights fake investment bank offering refunds
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12 emerging fraud threats Which? tells us the ones to be aware of
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more on the Mum and Dad scam Which? asks if you can get your money back
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fake Cadbury Easter basket scam Which? warns you to beware of this spreading on WhatsApp
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Tesco fake refund email Which? warns shoppers to beware of this email
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NHS Covid test scam exposed Which? shows how this scam works
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Binance impersonators Which? exposes so-called fund recovery scam purporting to be from Binance a crypto currency company
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Fake gym emails Which? alert about membership vouchers to be won for these gyms
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Remote access awareness Which? alert about remote access scams with a guest from the City of London Police
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Fake adverts for keto diet pills Which? reports misleading claims and fake celebrity endorsement beware
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Energy rate rebate tax Which? warns about scammers trying to steal bank details be wary
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Fake supermarket Facebook posts Which? says these posts claiming to be from supermarkets offering to share end of life food these are not genuine
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wallpaperja.com subscription Which? reports on a particularly nasty and easily fallen for scam claiming that you have signed up for a subscription
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Bitcoin scam supposedly endorsed by Martin Lewis Which? says these fake paid for ads are appearing on FaceBook
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Nuisance calls Which? explains how to block them
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Bank transfer scam Which? writes about a push payment scam and how it works
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Ofgem email scam Which? reports on fake email from Ofgem for offering energy rebate
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Santander impersonation text Which? video shows the latest scam text and how to avoid the scam
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Bombarded by phoney market research calls? Which? tells you about the calls and what to do
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Fake Evri text Which? flags up scam Evri (formerly Hermes) texts demanding payment of a delivery fee
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Fake BT email Which? alerts you to scam email asking you to update your direct debit to avoid late payment fee
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New fraud measures announced Which? explains the new measures to combat mistakes and also push payment fraud Confirmation of Payee
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BP fraud card scam Which? warns of fake BP cards offering super cheap fuel circulating on Facebook
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iPhone users targeted Which? shows fake Apple text saying your Apple Pay has been suspended do not follow fake link in text
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Ghost brokers Which? alerts the fake super cheap car insurance ghost brokers on Social Media
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Identity theft Which? explains what it is and how to spot if yours has been stolen and how to avoid it
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Dorset Council email scam Which? highlights the phishing email click here for details
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Carphone Warehouse scam calls Which? explains the whole process and provides a video
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Scammers prey on job seekers Which? advises about action if you receive a tempting text offering a job
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Carphone Warehouse scam calls Which? explains the whole process and provides a video
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Latest PayPal scams Which? says to watch out for the latest emails
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Romance frauds revisited Which? refreshes and updates its advice
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Covid tracing scam Which? warns about a text from so-called health department uk
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Cost of living scams Which? warns everyone to be aware
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Delivery text scammers pose as your bank Which? says beware of fake phone calls posing as your bank after receiving fake texts
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7 pension scams Which? warns everyone to watch out for
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Emirates holiday giveaway Which? alert to beware of WhatsApp Emirates ticket giveaway
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Click on this link for advice and information from Essex Police about fraudulent activities generally.
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The Third Age Trust has recently shared information about u3a members who were victims of scams:
One reported a phishing email supposedly received from Norton, an anti virus software company, about payment to renew an account she does not have. It said that they would deduct over £220 unless she cancelled within 48 hours. If you receive an email like this, please don't click on the links and please take independent advice before paying any unexpected requests for money.
Another reported a company specialises in products aimed at older adults who had taken extra money out of her bank account without her knowledge. With the help of the member's bank, any further charges on the account from the company were stopped and eventually the company paid back the money. Check your bank accounts regularly and immediately report any suspicious debits that you do not recognise. Most banks are able to put a stop to any charges and give advice on how to get refunds where appropriate. Another good practice is to search for reviews and credit ratings before buying from a new company.
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The City of London Police have issued guidance regarding a scam relating to fraudulent investment schemes, or 'money flipping'. Click on Money flipping for more information...
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The Third Age Trust have issued a Scam Alert pointing out calls which purport to be from the Fraud Department of your bank regarding “suspicious transactions” on your account. Click on Bank Fraud for more information: ...
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...and, last but not least, Barry Linton of Thorpe Bay u3a, who works as a volunteer with Essex Police, has produced a page for the Thorpe Bay website itemising some Fraud Alerts. Click on Thorpe Bay Fraud Alerts...