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Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association (BBNWA),
Bexleyheath Police Station,
2 Arnsberg Way,
Bexleyheath, Kent
DA7 4QS.
Mobile Tel: 07496 385471
bexleynw@outlook.com
Charity No: 1072368
Screen-sharing scammers are posing as banks to steal your sensitive information. These scams typically begin with a phone call, where the fraudster attempts to move you to a video call and trick you into sharing your screen with them.
If screen-sharing is enabled, scammers can see what's displayed on your phone, including notifications of one-time passwords sent by banks to authorise payments. Our expert explains
how to stop screen-sharing scams and the tactics fraudsters use to con you.
Recovery scams are when victims of fraud are retargeted and offered help to recover the money that was stolen from them. The scammers promise to get your money back for a fee, but any money given to them won't be returned.
Platforms including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp remain squarely at the centre of the UK’s scam epidemic, as our survey of victims has shown.
While the tech giants profit, consumers are paying the price for a relentless wave of fraud.
We expose how criminals operate, why reimbursement remains a postcode lottery and why urgent reforms are needed to tackle this crime.
We have an exclusive free trial for Which? Scam Alerts subscribers. Cifas, the not-for-profit scam-prevention organisation, needs help with testing its new app JustMe. It allows you to scan for suspicious texts, emails and QR codes, plus other scam-detecting features.
You can download the JustMe app from Apple App store or Google Play. Search ‘JustMe – Scam Protection’.
For free access, you'll need to open the app and select ‘Activate or restore subscription’, then ‘Activate with code’ and use the code GCP7ANF3. The trial is for six months, no payment information is collected and there's no auto-renewal.
Cybersecurity researchers have highlighted a dangerous cyber attack known as ClickFix, which is currently targetting users across Windows, Mac, and mobile devices.
Unlike traditional viruses that rely on hidden downloads, this scam relies on tricking you into manually installing the malware yourself under the guise of solving a routine web check.
How the Scam Works
You visit a website (often a compromised legitimate site, expired domain, or fake link) and a pop-up appears stating "Verify you are human", "Fix audio driver", or "Sign-in failed".
The page instructs you to follow quick verification steps—typically prompting you to open your system command line (PowerShell on Windows or Terminal on Mac) or press Win + R and paste a provided line of text.
The moment you paste and press Enter, a hidden background script executes. This secretly installs info-stealing malware designed to hijack saved passwords, online banking credentials, and personal files.
How to Prevent This from Happening
Golden Rule: No legitimate company—whether Google, Microsoft, Cloudflare, or Meta—will ever ask you to open PowerShell, Command Prompt, or Terminal to prove you are a human or fix a browser issue.
Never Paste Unfamiliar Commands: If a website instructs you to press Win + R, paste text into a command terminal, or download an unverified app to view a page, close the browser tab immediately.
Beware of Artificial Urgency: Scammers rely on countdown timers and warning messages to trigger panic. Take a moment to think before following unusual instructions.
Keep Devices Updated: Ensure your operating system, web browsers, and anti-virus software are fully up to date with real-time web protection enabled.
What to do if you have already fallen for this: Immediately disconnect your device from Wi-Fi/Ethernet, change your key account passwords (email, online banking, social media) from a secondary secure device, and run a full system anti-virus scan or consult an IT professional.
In today’s episode of Matt Allwright on Channel 5, consumer champion Matt was joined by fraud prevention expert Harleen Nottay to break down the latest tactics fraudsters are using—and, more importantly, how we as a community can protect ourselves.
At Bexley Neighbourhood Watch, keeping our local residents safe from fraud is a top priority. Here is a roundup of the core advice and action points highlighted during today’s show.
1. The Golden Rule: Stop, Challenge, Protect
Scammers rely heavily on creating a sense of urgency—whether they claim your bank account is compromised, a parcel couldn't be delivered, or a family member is in emergency financial trouble.
Stop: Take a moment to pause. Legitimate organizations, banks, or police officers will never pressure you into making an immediate financial decision or transferring funds on the spot.
Challenge: Ask yourself: Could this be fake? It’s okay to reject or ignore requests for personal information. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
Protect: If you suspect a contact is fake, report it immediately and contact your bank using the trusted number on the back of your card.
2. Common Scam Tactics Highlighted Today
Number Spoofing: Criminals can fake the caller ID displayed on your phone to make it look like your bank or the Metropolitan Police are calling. Tip: Hang up immediately. Wait at least 5 minutes (or use a different phone) to ensure the line is clear, then call the official organization directly.
Suspicious Texts (Smishing) & Emails (Phishing): Never click on links in unsolicited messages claiming you owe money or need to update account details.
Safe Account Lies: No real bank or police department will ever ask you to transfer money to a "safe account." If someone tells you to do this, it is a scam.
3. Actionable Tips to Protect Yourself & Neighbours
Use the 159 Hotline: If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from your bank or credit card provider, hang up and dial 159. This secure, national hotline routes you directly to your bank's genuine customer service team.
Report Suspicious Messages:
Texts: Forward scam text messages free of charge to 7726 (which spells 'SPAM').
Emails: Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Set Up Call Blockers: For elderly or vulnerable relatives in Bexley, consider setting up landline call blockers or checking if their phone provider offers free nuisance-call shielding.
Talk to Your Neighbours: Scammers thrive in isolation. Check in on your neighbours and share these tips. If a crime is currently in progress or someone is at your door, call 999.
Need Further Support?
If you think you have lost money to a scam, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Stay vigilant, look out for one another, and let's keep Bexley safe!
— Your Bexley Neighbourhood Watch Team
Watchpoint: Stopping Fraud - click to view enlarged
Community Alert: New Fraud Tactics & How to Stay Safe
Criminals are constantly updating their tactics to exploit trust, using artificial intelligence, deceptive phone calls, and high-pressure situations to catch people off guard. To help keep our neighbourhood safe, we have put together a summary of the latest scams circulating across the UK and the simple steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your neighbours.
1. AI Voice Cloning & Deepfake Emergency Scams
How it works: Scammers use short audio clips or video snippets taken from social media to replicate the voice or appearance of a loved one or authority figure using artificial intelligence. They then contact you claiming there is an urgent emergency — such as a relative being arrested, involved in an accident, or needing immediate bail money.
Red Flag: High pressure to transfer funds straight away using untraceable methods like gift vouchers, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
2. "Digital Arrest" & Government Imposter Frauds
How it works: Criminals pose as police officers, HMRC officials, or UK Border Force agents over video or telephone calls. They claim that you or a family member are linked to a crime and force you to stay on the call (a simulated "digital arrest") until you pay a fine or move money into a fake "safe account".
Red Flag: Threats of immediate arrest, being told you must stay on a video call, or demands to transfer money to "protect" your bank accounts.
3. Remote Work & Fake Job Recruitment
How it works: Posing as recruitment agencies or tech employers, fraudsters advertise high-paying work-from-home jobs (such as data entry or testing AI systems). After a brief online interview, they ask for money upfront for office equipment or request sensitive bank details under the guise of setting up payroll.
Red Flag: Job offers made without a proper face-to-face or official video interview, or requests to buy equipment upfront.
4. Fraud Recovery Scams
How it works: Fraudsters specifically target individuals who have previously lost money to a scam. Posing as police officers, legal representatives, or recovery agents, they claim they have recovered the stolen funds and can return them — provided you pay an upfront administrative fee.
Red Flag: Any request to pay money in advance to recover previously stolen funds.
5. One-Time Passcode (OTP) Interception Bots
How it works: A fraudster attempts to log into your online banking, triggering your bank to text a real security code to your phone. At the exact same time, an automated phone call (a "bot") contacts you pretending to be your bank warning of a security breach, asking you to type that security code into your telephone keypad.
Red Flag: Unexpected automated calls asking you to enter security codes you have just received on your mobile phone.
Key Rules to Stay Safe
Agree on a Family Password: Set up a memorable, secret word or phrase with relatives to easily verify genuine emergency calls.
Take Five & Challenge: If you receive an unexpected call claiming to be from your bank, HMRC, or the police, hang up immediately. Wait five minutes for the line to clear, then call the organisation back using an official number from a bill or website.
Never Share Passcodes: Legitimate banks and police officers will never call or text asking for your one-time passcodes, PINs, or banking passwords.
Report It: If you suspect a scam or have lost money, report it to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040 (or Police Scotland on 101), and inform your bank immediately.
Please share this advice with elderly neighbours, relatives, and friends who may not be online.
