Scammers are part and parcel of life in the 21st Century as we’re all well aware, and one of the fraudsters’ most potent weapons used against the innocent they routinely prey on is that of disguising themselves as people they’re not. Typically people in authority, or figures of trust who the unsuspecting have no reason not to take at face value if they asked them to divulge (or grant them access) to certain personal details.
Masking themselves in a variety of different fashions, the more scheming scammer’s are going to even greater lengths these days to con the unwitting and assume other people’s identities; before relieving them of their hard-earned cash.
But we bet you weren’t aware that the latest ruse employed by the unscrupulous includes posing as both insurance company staff and council workers in their bid to defraud.
What’s the scam?
As most of us have been approached (via the phone at least) at some point in the last few years by claims management companies (legit ones we hasten to add) looking to ‘represent’ our financial best interests, as we look to pursue those who have done us wrong (typically swindling us out of money in Payment Protection Insurance rackets which have been widely publicised); then we are pretty well versed in the ‘phishing’ activities of these guys.
But we’re not the only ones who have experienced the spread of these claims management firms, who use their almost octopus-like tentacles to good effect in drawing us in with promises of untold riches due from PPI providers’ ill-gotten gains. No, hoaxers and scammers have seen the potential to adopt similar ploys to further their sinister causes on the back of the unmitigated successes enjoyed by genuine PPI-chasing companies we grant permission to act on our behalf.
Cases of scammers posing as claims managers in an attempt to persuade would-be clients to take on their individual cases against parties who originally afforded them extra-curricular PPI-type policies are said to be on the increase here in the UK, and have been attempting to gain the trust of people by pretending to be calling them in the guise of an insurer or local council official amongst other disguises.
What’s even more incredulous is that many don’t even go to the trouble of sweet-talking innocent parties on the other end of the phone in an attempt to win you over (and subsequently be instructed to take on your case), as some are simply out-and-out fraudsters whose singular objective is to obtain your bank details. This is the vital piece of information they seek out, and therefore something they pay mention early on in any communication, claiming that such details are imperative for them to instigate your (false) claim; and ultimately win you the compensation they promise from day one.
What can I do to avoid being conned by these scammers?
Be ever vigilant and stay calm if under pressure to divulge details. Think about who they purport to be and what data of yours they’re after and for what reason. Always be wary of unexpected calls received when the person on the other end of the phone claims to be representing an authority or company of some kind and bombard them with questions to determine just who they are. Don’t convey ANY personal information about yourself over the phone if you’re in ANY doubt as to the caller’s identity and aren’t convinced that they are who they say they are.
If the caller requests your bank details then assume that they’re hoaxers, as if they are unknown to you at that juncture then you should NEVER impart any personal data. Also press them on the subject and listen to their responses, looking out for irregularities and inaccuracies, all of which point to you being on the receiving end of a potential scam.
Inaccuracies in one reported case being best illustrated by a resident of Dorking who was pestered to release personal details from a person claiming to be from the (none existent) Dorking City Council; which duly raised alarms….
What examples can you give of things they’ll say to dupe me?
One of the most common examples in recent years is where the caller states that the service requires payment of an upfront fee and requests either bank details or for the fee to be paid by purchasing a Ukash Voucher, and providing the serial number for the voucher. This has SCAM written all over it.
Another similar ploy used was by callers saying that they were working on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and purporting that the resident had been mis-sold PPI following a loan taken out with Black Horse Finance.
Subsequently the resident was asked to make upfront payments by Western Union (another money transfer service), before the £7,000 PPI pay-out could be released. Two initial payments where made but following a further request the resident became suspicious and informed the Police. Both the Ministry of Justice and Black Horse Finance have confirmed that they had no knowledge of the requests.
What should I do if I think I’ve been the victim of a scam?
There are a number of immediate measures you should take if you believe you’ve been unwittingly duped into divulging your personal details, including first and foremost contacting your bank to let them know and to secure your account(s).
On a broader scale you should also report the fraud to the police, via Action Fraud (0300 1232040), while if you think you’ve succumbed to an actual claims management company it’s advisable that you call the Claims Management Regulator (033 2000110) to report such an instance and to trigger an investigation.
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