SCAMARAMA: Don't Let Fraudsters Steal Your Hard-Earned Cash!

Fraud is a blight on our country, with ruthless criminals scamming the British public out of their hard-earned cash. They exploit people's trust and steal their life savings, shattering their confidence and leaving them feeling vulnerable. It also fuels serious organised crime and terrorism.

Being vigilant is your best defence. Be on the lookout for these red flags:

• Being asked to pay money in order to receive a prize or get a job. This is a classic tactic – legitimate opportunities don't ask you to pay to receive what's rightfully yours.
• Pressure to act immediately. Scammers thrive on urgency, preventing you from thinking clearly or seeking advice.
• Use of scare tactics, e.g. telling you a loved one is in danger, that your computer has been hacked, or threatening arrest if you don't act now. These are designed to panic you into making rash decisions.
• If you receive any message, phone call, or email from someone you don't know, verify they are who they say by contacting their agency or business directly. Do not use any contact details provided by the suspicious caller/sender.
• Asks for sensitive information. Scammers impersonate your bank and ask for your PIN or online passwords to “secure” your account. Your bank will NEVER ask for these details.

Below are common warning signs of a phone scam:

• A claim that you have been specially selected.
• Use of high-pressure sales tactics and “limited time” offers.
• Reluctance to answer questions about the business or the offer.
• Request that you “confirm your personal information”.

The Web of Deceit: Understanding Catfishing

Catfishing is when someone sets up a fake online identity and uses it to trick and control others. Often, they do it to scam people out of money, blackmail them, or harm them in some other way. While catfishing used to occur more among adults through online dating sites, it has now become equally common among teenagers.

If you suspect you're dealing with a catfish, use an online reverse image search to find out if the person's photos are on anyone else's online profiles. You can also search their messages online. Take any particularly unique or romantic lines they've written to you and search to see if they pop up anywhere else.

Catfishing itself is not currently a specific criminal offense in the UK. However, the actions involved in catfishing, such as fraud or harassment, may be illegal and could lead to prosecution. For example, if a catfisher uses a fake identity to obtain money or other valuables, they could be charged with fraud. Similarly, if the catfishing involves harassment or online bullying, it could lead to charges under relevant laws.

Remember: If you meet someone online who says he’s a 22-year-old software millionaire who looks like Harry Styles, he’s probably unemployed, 45, and lives with his mother. Always be cautious and question what seems too good to be true.

Property Scams: What They Are and How to Avoid Them

From fake listings to solicitor impersonations, property scams are a significant threat. Fraudsters employ many tactics to con you out of your cash – almost £9 million was lost in 2024 to rental fraud alone. According to insights shared by property company Sell House Fast, property-related fraud continues to target home buyers, sellers, and renters.

Below, we look at the most common property scams and explain how to spot and avoid them.

1. Fake buyer scams: Scammers pose as genuine buyers to steal the personal details of the property owner. They can convincingly pretend to be buyers by forging and sending fake documents and proof of deposit, often offering the asking price or higher to secure the property. Once they have gained enough details about the property and its owner, they'll end all contact.
2. Bogus conveyancing firms: Fraudsters will impersonate genuine solicitors or conveyancing firms to steal money or personal information during the house buying process. This can involve hacking into email accounts to provide alternative bank details for deposits, or calling buyers while impersonating an employee. Fraudsters also create fake websites impersonating legitimate solicitors or firms. You can read more about a similar experience here: 'A scammer impersonated my conveyancing solicitor.'
3. Under-valuation scams by ‘cash buyers’: This is when dodgy cash buying companies make an unrealistically high offer on your property pending an official valuation. It's a scam that can leave you shortchanged, warns Sell House Fast. They’ll promise to get the cash in your hands in a number of days but will make excuses to drag the process on. At the last moment, when you have no choice but to accept the offer, the cash buyer will drop the price significantly. Find out more here: https://sellhousefast.uk/blog/avoid-we-buy-any-house-scams/
4. Title deed fraud: After stealing the identity of the homeowner, fraudsters illegally transfer the title of a property to their name. Once they have secured the transfer, they can commit further acts of fraud by selling the property for their profit. HM Land Registry provides a free Property Alert service that you can sign up for to get alerts about changes to the register for your property: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/property-alert
5. Tenancy application fraud: Rogue prospective tenants provide false information on all or part of their tenancy application in order to obtain a property. This could involve using doctored forms and images, as well as forging signatures. Once they have the property, they may illegally sublet it.
6. Fake property listings: Scammers will list fake properties in order to obtain deposits from unsuspecting renters or homebuyers. In some cases, these properties don’t exist; in other cases, the properties do exist but are owned by someone else. A rental scam can occur when a fraudulent landlord demands a deposit after a virtual viewing, pressuring the potential tenant to pay before a physical inspection. This is a common tactic, and it's crucial to be wary of such requests and prioritise verifying the landlord's legitimacy and the property's details before making any financial commitments. You can read about a similar situation here: 'A scam landlord demanded a deposit after a virtual viewing.'

How to Spot and Avoid Property Scams:

Scammers can be relentless in their pursuits, but there are precautions you can take to avoid falling victim to a property scam:

• Only use solicitors registered with the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) when buying a property: https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/register/
• Check the property’s ownership details via the Land Registry: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/land-registry – to see if the landlord’s name matches the person you’ve been talking to.
• If you’re in any doubt about requests for money, call your solicitor on a trusted number (not one they provide) before making a deposit.
• Use a tool, such as TinEye: https://tineye.com/ to reverse image search images on property listings to see if they appear elsewhere on the internet.
• Don’t take your home off the market until the payment has cleared.
• Don’t pay deposits for a property before viewing it in person and ask the landlord for proof of ownership, such as a mortgage statement.
• Be wary of properties listed on social media and WhatsApp.
• If you’re using a cash buying service, check that the company is a member of the Property Ombudsman (TPOS): https://www.tpos.co.uk/ and the National Association of Property Buyers: https://napb.co.uk/

If you lose any money to a scam, call your bank immediately using the number on the back of your bank card and report it to Action Fraud: Tel: 0300 123 2040 or online at: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reportscam