Fraud Newsletter February 2024
Please see below February’s edition of the Surrey and Sussex Police Fraud Newsletter.
"Each month we see many incidents of fraudsters targeting our residents in an attempt to defraud them. We’re working hard to prevent this and support vulnerable victims of fraud or scams. By following our tips and encouraging family, friends and colleagues to do so too, you can reduce the risk of becoming a victim."
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Doyle, Surrey Police & Sussex Police Economic Crime Unit
Tv Licence Phishing Scam
Across Sussex and Surrey we are seeing an increasing number of reports of a TV Licence phishing email.
Some of the emails claim that the bank has declined a direct debit request and urging individuals to update their details to stay licensed. Other emails state that an issue has arisen with the most recent pre-authorised direct debit payment and recipients are advised to set up a pre-authorised debit. It is believed once the recipient has clicked the link in the email it will lead them to enter financial/personal details or download malicious malware.
A 75 year old lady from Midhurst reported receiving an email claiming to be from TV licensing. The email advised that her direct debit had not renewed as her bank card had expired. She therefore put in her card details to renew it. A few days later she received a telephone call from someone claiming to be 'NATWEST FRAUD TEAM'.
They asked if she had recently received an email from 'TV LICENCING' which she confirmed she had. They have then managed to convince her to log onto her online banking and allow them access to her device to see her screen. Part-way through the call she began to get suspicious and so hung up on the caller. She then discovered that £14,000 had been removed from her bank account, which she is working with her bank have returned.
Between 1st January and 15th January, the suspicious email reporting service received 6,307 reports relating to tv licence scams. If you have received an email which you’re not quite sure about, forward it to [email protected]
Door step crime rise
For this time of year, when we would normally expect to see a drop-off in offences, Doorstep crime and rogue trading reporting volumes are significantly higher than in previous years.
In particular fraudsters citing problems with victims roof tiles and trees needing to be cut down. This is possibly due to the stormy weather we had at the beginning of the year. So far in 2024 there have been 86 reports of doorstep crime targeting elderly residents, with victims having an average age of 80. The combined loss amounts to £367,000. Proactive interventions from the banks have prevented these losses being significantly higher by calling Police when they suspect a customer is withdrawing or transferring funds to a rogue trader.
Recent examples in both Sussex and Surrey saw victims pressured into paying approximately £3500 each to fraudsters to cut down a tree, which did not need doing, having been cold called and then pressured into having the ‘urgent’ work carried out.
If you experience any suspicious traders who call at your door offering to carry out work, or have been a victim of a doorstep rogue trader, please telephone 101 and report them. Remember if you are not sure, don’t answer the door.
Cybercrime Webinars
Due to high demand, we’re expanding our monthly webinars about Cyber Security and Online Fraud you can see and register for upcoming webinars her: Online Safety and Cyber Security Webinars | Eventbrite
Delivered by our Protect Officer for Surrey and Sussex Police Cyber Crime Unit to empower you with knowledge to navigate the digital world safely.
Our March sessions are almost fully booked but we have availability in April so please act fast if you would like to join us for the below sessions.
General Cyber Security and Online Fraud Awareness – For those already somewhat comfortable using technology. This session will cover everything you need to know to massively reduce your chance of becoming a victim and also empower you with knowledge to help the ones you love and care for.
Gentle Learning Version – This session covers the topics above but in a slower paced and more accessible format for people less confident with technology.
Safeguarding Humanity: The risks of AI (Artificial Intelligence) – AI has taken the world by storm and introduces many benefits as well as highly sophisticated methods of Fraud and Cyber Crime. This shorter yet cutting edge talk will empower you to use AI tools safety whilst also making yourself and your family resilient to AI generated scams.