New research commissioned by NatWest has shown the most common scams this year – with more than seven in 10 adults targeted by scams in the last 12 months, being hit on average three times each week – over 150 times a year.
Scams through digital platforms, social media firms and telecommunications companies make up the entirety of the top 10 financial scams.
Around 13 percent of people have lost money to fraud, with seven percent having lost as much as £5,000 savings. Previous NatWest data found that on average each person is losing £350.
Stuart Skinner, fraud expert from NatWest said: “We continue to see scams on the rise, especially through digital and social media channels. With the increase in new digital tactics used by fraudsters, it’s becoming increasingly harder for consumers to spot, avoid and track.
“Messaging platforms including WhatsApp and social media sites are providing more channels for scammers to operate and reach people through. It can be hard for people to keep up with what they should be looking out for next.”
Experts are warning Britons to remain vigilant as scams continue to rise. As we approach Christmas and New Years, scammers will try more than ever to steal ones hard earned cash.
Top scams Britons have been targeted with this year are:
1. Phishing scam (37 percent of Britons targeted)
Fake emails, calls, messages or websites that seem to be from legitimate organisations which ask people to provide personal/financial information.
2. Trusted organisation scams (21 percent)
Criminals contacting someone impersonating trusted organisations such as HMRC, energy companies or service providers saying there’s something wrong with their account, they owe a fine or similar.
3. Refund scams (13 percent)
Criminals impersonating trusted organisations telling them that they’re due a refund and asking to share their personal or banking information, such as their one-time-passcode, to receive the refund.
4. Friend or Family scams (12 percent)
Messages sent to one’s phone or via social media claiming to be someone they know asking for money urgently to pay bills.
5. Get Rich Quick scams (nine percent)
Criminals claim that investors will make money quickly by investing in a company or goods, with the promise of making far more than someone put in.
6. Purchase scams (nine percent)
Criminals place adverts for fake consumer goods and products online, on popular social media and even auction sites to gain money or information. Products often include tech like games consoles, vehicles, concert and event tickets and designer clothing, pets or even holidays.
7. Investment scams (eight percent)
Criminals encouraging people to invest money into fake opportunities or pyramid schemes.
8. Safe Account scams (seven percent)
Criminals call pretending they are your bank or the police and that there has been fraudulent activity on your account, and to protect their funds they must move them to a new account to keep them safe.
9. Lottery cons (seven percent)
Falsely being informed someone has won a lottery prize, with a request to send over sensitive personal and/or financial information to claim their prize.
10. Befriending scams (six percent)
Criminals create fake accounts on social media and send connection requests, and after building up a friendship they ask for money, login information or other favours.
