In 2022, there was a 77% increase in fraud in the UK. The majority of these scams originated on social media, online marketplaces, and dating apps.
Impersonation scams, investment scams, and purchase scams were the most common types of fraud.
Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated methods to defraud people, including email, SMS, and offline.
Banks are working to combat fraud, but they say that social media companies need to do more to protect their users.
The government is also working on legislation to protect consumers from fraud.
Here are some tips to help you stay safe from fraud:
- Be careful about what information you share online.
- Don't click on links in emails or messages from people you don't know.
- Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true.
- If you think you've been scammed, report it to your bank and the police.
For more information on how to protect yourself from fraud, visit the websites of your bank and the National Crime Agency.
Source: BBC (6 May 2023)
