Messages sent via Devon and Cornwall Alert
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The community messaging service used by Devon & Cornwall Police, Action Fraud, Crimestoppers and Neighbourhood Watch
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** NEW - Message issued 1st July 2021 **
Do You Know What A Ghost Broker Is?
Just 15% of people have heard of a ‘ghost broker’.* Do you know what one is?
Have you ever heard of a ‘ghost broker’? No, we are not talking about things that go bump in the night – this is a lot scarier. ‘Ghost brokers’ are fraudsters who sell fake or invalid car insurance policies. Victims are sold fake insurance documents for a policy that does not exist, or for a genuine policy that has been set up using false details to lower the price of the premium.
How do ‘ghost brokers’ operate?
Fraudsters lure victims in with the offer of cheaper insurance premiums, usually via social media or by word-of-mouth. These individuals or groups pose as middlemen for well-known insurance companies, claiming they can offer you legitimate car insurance at a significantly cheaper price.
This type of fraud is typically carried out either by forging insurance documents, falsifying your details to bring the price down, or by taking out a genuine policy for you but cancelling it soon after.
Often, the victim is not aware that they have been scammed until they are involved in an accident and try to claim on the policy.
Who do ‘ghost brokers’ target?
‘Ghost brokers’ tend to target vulnerable communities, including members of non-English speaking communities who may not have full knowledge of UK insurance and laws, as well as young people looking for cheaper insurance deals.
Last year, Action Fraud received 694 reports of ‘ghost broking’, with almost a third (29%) coming from victims aged 17-29. The reported losses for these victims alone totalled £113,500, with each individual losing an average of £559.
Figures also indicate that over half (58%) of all reports in 2020 were submitted by men.
What could happen if I drive without valid insurance?
As policies sold by ‘ghost brokers’ are either invalid, non-existent or fraudulent, this means that the driver is technically uninsured, meaning that you could face:
There are simple steps that you can take to spot the signs of these scams and avoid being taking for a ride by ‘ghost brokers’:
Message Sent By
Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
Do You Know What A Ghost Broker Is?
Just 15% of people have heard of a ‘ghost broker’.* Do you know what one is?
Have you ever heard of a ‘ghost broker’? No, we are not talking about things that go bump in the night – this is a lot scarier. ‘Ghost brokers’ are fraudsters who sell fake or invalid car insurance policies. Victims are sold fake insurance documents for a policy that does not exist, or for a genuine policy that has been set up using false details to lower the price of the premium.
How do ‘ghost brokers’ operate?
Fraudsters lure victims in with the offer of cheaper insurance premiums, usually via social media or by word-of-mouth. These individuals or groups pose as middlemen for well-known insurance companies, claiming they can offer you legitimate car insurance at a significantly cheaper price.
This type of fraud is typically carried out either by forging insurance documents, falsifying your details to bring the price down, or by taking out a genuine policy for you but cancelling it soon after.
Often, the victim is not aware that they have been scammed until they are involved in an accident and try to claim on the policy.
Who do ‘ghost brokers’ target?
‘Ghost brokers’ tend to target vulnerable communities, including members of non-English speaking communities who may not have full knowledge of UK insurance and laws, as well as young people looking for cheaper insurance deals.
Last year, Action Fraud received 694 reports of ‘ghost broking’, with almost a third (29%) coming from victims aged 17-29. The reported losses for these victims alone totalled £113,500, with each individual losing an average of £559.
Figures also indicate that over half (58%) of all reports in 2020 were submitted by men.
What could happen if I drive without valid insurance?
As policies sold by ‘ghost brokers’ are either invalid, non-existent or fraudulent, this means that the driver is technically uninsured, meaning that you could face:
- £300 fixed penalty notice
- Six points on driving licence
- Vehicle being seized and crushed
There are simple steps that you can take to spot the signs of these scams and avoid being taking for a ride by ‘ghost brokers’:
- ‘Ghost brokers’ often advertise and communicate via social media, online forums and messaging apps. If a broker is only using a mobile phone or email as a way of contact, this can be a sign of this type of crime. Fraudsters do not want to be traced after they have taken money from their victims.
- They may also try to sell insurance policies through print adverts in pubs, clubs or bars, newsagents
- If a deal seems too good to be true, then it probably is. If you are not sure about the broker, check on the Financial Conduct Authority or the British Insurance Brokers’ Association website for a list of all authorised insurance brokers. You can also contact the insurance company directly to verify the broker’s details. You can also check to see if a car appears to be insured on the Motor Insurance Database website.
- If you think that you have been a victim of a ghost broker, you can report your concerns to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040.
- You can also contact the Insurance Fraud Bureau via its confidential Cheatline on 0800 422 0421 or on the IFB website.
Message Sent By
Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
** NEW - Message issued 22nd June 2021 **
Covid Vaccine Passport Scam
We have been made aware of a Covid Vaccine Passport scam email (see image below) going around that purports to be from the NHS and informs recipients that they can apply for their “Digital Coronavirus Passports”. Clicking on the link within the email, takes you to a convincing but fake NHS website that asks for personal and payment details (for an admin fee).
The website has since been taken down, but in case similar emails/websites appear you should be aware of the scam and remain alert. And just to reiterate, your vaccination status is obtained FREE through the NHS App, website or by calling the NHS on 119.
More information can be found on the gov.uk website;
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad
Please note that any Phishing scams can be reported to SERS (Suspicious Email Reporting Service): report@phishing.gov.uk
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NETWORK, Central Support Team
Neighbourhoood Watch Network is a charity registered in England & Wales, CIO no: 1173349
Covid Vaccine Passport Scam
We have been made aware of a Covid Vaccine Passport scam email (see image below) going around that purports to be from the NHS and informs recipients that they can apply for their “Digital Coronavirus Passports”. Clicking on the link within the email, takes you to a convincing but fake NHS website that asks for personal and payment details (for an admin fee).
The website has since been taken down, but in case similar emails/websites appear you should be aware of the scam and remain alert. And just to reiterate, your vaccination status is obtained FREE through the NHS App, website or by calling the NHS on 119.
More information can be found on the gov.uk website;
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad
Please note that any Phishing scams can be reported to SERS (Suspicious Email Reporting Service): report@phishing.gov.uk
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NETWORK, Central Support Team
Neighbourhoood Watch Network is a charity registered in England & Wales, CIO no: 1173349
Previous Alerts.....
Fraud Advice Issued After People Scammed
We are investigating phone scams in which fraudsters conned three victims out of more than £77,000. On each occasion, they were called by someone claiming to be from their bank, who said they had been targeted by fraudsters.
A man in Plymouth was called on 26 May and told someone had attempted to remove cash from his account. He was then asked security questions and told his money would be put in a holding account.
In the second incident, a woman in Ilfracombe was called on 1 June by a man who said someone had made large transactions from her account. He asked for her passwords and was aggressive when she became suspicious of him. She later found large sums of cash had been paid out of her account.
On the same day, a man in Truro was called and told fraudsters were targeting his account. He was told to set up a new account and transfer money into it.
Contact Officer Mark Rothwell said: “These criminals were extremely convincing and persistent, and called from phone numbers that appeared to be genuine numbers used by the victims’ banks’ fraud departments. We’d ask people to please be vigilant and not give out any personal information such as your date of birth or bank details to unexpected callers. Police or your bank will not unexpectedly call you and ask you to withdraw cash, or move your money to another account, as a result of fraud or any other reason. A genuine caller will not mind you checking their credentials, and don’t be afraid to put the phone down if you suspect they are scammers.”
If you believe that you are a victim of this scam, please contact police on 101 using a different phone to that used to communicate with the fraudsters. You can also email 101@dc.police.uk
If a fraud is in progress or someone’s life is in danger, call 999 immediately.
For more advice, visit https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/your-money/fraud/anti-fraud-take-five/
We are investigating phone scams in which fraudsters conned three victims out of more than £77,000. On each occasion, they were called by someone claiming to be from their bank, who said they had been targeted by fraudsters.
A man in Plymouth was called on 26 May and told someone had attempted to remove cash from his account. He was then asked security questions and told his money would be put in a holding account.
In the second incident, a woman in Ilfracombe was called on 1 June by a man who said someone had made large transactions from her account. He asked for her passwords and was aggressive when she became suspicious of him. She later found large sums of cash had been paid out of her account.
On the same day, a man in Truro was called and told fraudsters were targeting his account. He was told to set up a new account and transfer money into it.
Contact Officer Mark Rothwell said: “These criminals were extremely convincing and persistent, and called from phone numbers that appeared to be genuine numbers used by the victims’ banks’ fraud departments. We’d ask people to please be vigilant and not give out any personal information such as your date of birth or bank details to unexpected callers. Police or your bank will not unexpectedly call you and ask you to withdraw cash, or move your money to another account, as a result of fraud or any other reason. A genuine caller will not mind you checking their credentials, and don’t be afraid to put the phone down if you suspect they are scammers.”
If you believe that you are a victim of this scam, please contact police on 101 using a different phone to that used to communicate with the fraudsters. You can also email 101@dc.police.uk
If a fraud is in progress or someone’s life is in danger, call 999 immediately.
For more advice, visit https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/your-money/fraud/anti-fraud-take-five/
Mimicking of Fraud Department Telephone Numbers
Current research is showing that scammers are somehow mimicking the telephone numbers of bank fraud departments, so that when the victims checks the caller ID and compares the number against the one printed on the back of their credit cards, the numbers are the same.
Examples so far:
0467 02/06/2021 – Barclays bank number mimicked. Victim lost £27,000
0290 01/06/2021 – First Direct number mimicked. Victim lost around £30,000
0578 01/06/2021 – Lloyds number mimicked. Victim lost around £25,000
Residents are asked to exercise caution when receiving phone calls of this type. Avoid dialling numbers printed on the back of cards. If in doubt, where possible, check with your local branch for updates of your account.
Current research is showing that scammers are somehow mimicking the telephone numbers of bank fraud departments, so that when the victims checks the caller ID and compares the number against the one printed on the back of their credit cards, the numbers are the same.
Examples so far:
0467 02/06/2021 – Barclays bank number mimicked. Victim lost £27,000
0290 01/06/2021 – First Direct number mimicked. Victim lost around £30,000
0578 01/06/2021 – Lloyds number mimicked. Victim lost around £25,000
Residents are asked to exercise caution when receiving phone calls of this type. Avoid dialling numbers printed on the back of cards. If in doubt, where possible, check with your local branch for updates of your account.
Online Shopping
Have you bought anything online recently?…
Almost 34% of all retail sales during May 2020 were carried out online, and new research suggests that only 16% of UK consumers intend to return to their old shopping habits post-lockdown.
Online shopping fraud during lockdown
Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, received over 16,000 reports relating to online shopping and auction fraud during the lockdown, with losses totalling over £16m. Members of the public have reported buying mobile phones (19%), vehicles (22%), electronics (10%) such as games consoles, AirPods and MacBooks , and footwear (4%) on sites such as eBay (18%), Facebook (18%), Gumtree (10%) and Depop (6%), only to have the items never arrive.
Top tips for shopping online securely:
What to do if you’ve fallen victim to online shopping fraud
We all make mistakes and these days the scams can be incredibly convincing.
If you think you’ve visited, or made a purchase on, a bogus website, you should first, take a note of the website's address, then close down your internet browser. You should then report the details to Action Fraud and contact your bank to seek advice.
Whether you've been a victim of fraud will depend on how much information you’ve provided to the website, so keep an eye on your bank transactions, if you can. Contact your bank immediately about anything that you don’t recognise, even small amounts.
For more information about how to stay safe online, please visit www.actionfraud.police.uk/cybercrim
Have you bought anything online recently?…
Almost 34% of all retail sales during May 2020 were carried out online, and new research suggests that only 16% of UK consumers intend to return to their old shopping habits post-lockdown.
Online shopping fraud during lockdown
Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, received over 16,000 reports relating to online shopping and auction fraud during the lockdown, with losses totalling over £16m. Members of the public have reported buying mobile phones (19%), vehicles (22%), electronics (10%) such as games consoles, AirPods and MacBooks , and footwear (4%) on sites such as eBay (18%), Facebook (18%), Gumtree (10%) and Depop (6%), only to have the items never arrive.
Top tips for shopping online securely:
- Choosing where to shop: If you’re making a purchase from a company or seller you don’t know and trust, carry out some research first. For example, by checking to see if others have used the site and what their experience was.
- Email accounts: Use a strong, separate password for your email account. Criminals can use your email to access other online accounts, such as those you use for online shopping.
- Scam messages: Some of the emails or texts you receive about amazing offers may contain links to fake websites. Not all links are bad, but if you’re unsure don't use the link, go separately to the website. And remember, if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
- Payment method: If you decide to go ahead with the purchase, use a credit card if you have one as other payment providers may not provide the same protection.
What to do if you’ve fallen victim to online shopping fraud
We all make mistakes and these days the scams can be incredibly convincing.
If you think you’ve visited, or made a purchase on, a bogus website, you should first, take a note of the website's address, then close down your internet browser. You should then report the details to Action Fraud and contact your bank to seek advice.
Whether you've been a victim of fraud will depend on how much information you’ve provided to the website, so keep an eye on your bank transactions, if you can. Contact your bank immediately about anything that you don’t recognise, even small amounts.
For more information about how to stay safe online, please visit www.actionfraud.police.uk/cybercrim
Coronavirus-Related Scams - How To Protect Yourself
Criminals are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to try and get their hands on your money and personal information. To date, Action Fraud has received reports from 2,378 victims of Coronavirus-related scams, with the total losses reaching over £7 million.
How you can protect yourself from Coronavirus-related scams:
There are some simple steps you can take that will protect you from the most common Coronavirus-related scams. Here’s what need to do:
1 - Watch out for scam messages
Your bank, or other official organisations, won’t ask you to share personal information over email or text. If you receive an email you’re not quite sure about, forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS): report@phishing.gov.uk
2 - Shopping online
If you're making a purchase from a company or person you don't know and trust, carry out some research first, for example, by checking to see if others have used the site and what their experience was. If you decide to go ahead with the purchase, use a credit card if you have one, other payment providers may not provide the same protection.
3 - Unsolicited calls and browser pop-ups offering tech support
Never install any software, or grant remote access to your computer, as a result of a cold call. Remember, legitimate organisations would never contact you out of the blue to ask for financial details such as your PIN or full banking password.
NHS Test and Trace scams:
The NHS Test and Trace service plays an important role in the fight against coronavirus and it’s vital the public have confidence and trust in the service. However, we understand the concerns people have about the opportunity for criminals to commit scams.
What you need to know:
Contact tracers will only call you from the number 0300 013 5000. Anyone who does not wish to talk over the phone can request the NHS Test and Trace service to send an email or text instead, inviting them to log into the web-based service.
All text or emails sent by NHS Test and Trace will ask people to sign into the contact tracing website and will provide you with a unique reference number. We would advise people to type the web address https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk directly into their browser, followed by the unique reference number given to you, rather than clicking on any link provided in the message.
The NHS Test and Trace service will never:
If you think you have been a victim of fraud, please report it to Action Fraud at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Criminals are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to try and get their hands on your money and personal information. To date, Action Fraud has received reports from 2,378 victims of Coronavirus-related scams, with the total losses reaching over £7 million.
How you can protect yourself from Coronavirus-related scams:
There are some simple steps you can take that will protect you from the most common Coronavirus-related scams. Here’s what need to do:
1 - Watch out for scam messages
Your bank, or other official organisations, won’t ask you to share personal information over email or text. If you receive an email you’re not quite sure about, forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS): report@phishing.gov.uk
2 - Shopping online
If you're making a purchase from a company or person you don't know and trust, carry out some research first, for example, by checking to see if others have used the site and what their experience was. If you decide to go ahead with the purchase, use a credit card if you have one, other payment providers may not provide the same protection.
3 - Unsolicited calls and browser pop-ups offering tech support
Never install any software, or grant remote access to your computer, as a result of a cold call. Remember, legitimate organisations would never contact you out of the blue to ask for financial details such as your PIN or full banking password.
NHS Test and Trace scams:
The NHS Test and Trace service plays an important role in the fight against coronavirus and it’s vital the public have confidence and trust in the service. However, we understand the concerns people have about the opportunity for criminals to commit scams.
What you need to know:
Contact tracers will only call you from the number 0300 013 5000. Anyone who does not wish to talk over the phone can request the NHS Test and Trace service to send an email or text instead, inviting them to log into the web-based service.
All text or emails sent by NHS Test and Trace will ask people to sign into the contact tracing website and will provide you with a unique reference number. We would advise people to type the web address https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk directly into their browser, followed by the unique reference number given to you, rather than clicking on any link provided in the message.
The NHS Test and Trace service will never:
- ask you to dial a premium rate number to speak to them (for example, those starting 09 or 087)
- ask you to make any form of payment or purchase a product or any kind
- ask for any details about your bank account
- ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts
- ask you for any passwords or PINs, or ask you to set up any passwords or PINs over the phone
- ask you to download any software to your PC or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet to anyone else
- ask you to access any website that does not belong to the government or NHS
If you think you have been a victim of fraud, please report it to Action Fraud at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Contact Management
This is a message from Devon and Cornwall Police.
In these ever changing times, if you need to contact the police, and it’s not an emergency why not contact us using one of our online methods?
By visiting our website – https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/ you can report non-emergency crime and queries through our online contact methods – WebChat and Report Crime Online.
WebChat - allows you to talk directly to our contact centre staff, just the same as calling them. It’s simple and easy to use and can be accessed through any desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile device, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Report Crime Online - if you want to report a crime or tell the police about something that’s already happened then fill in the details on the online crime reporting form (https://services.devon-cornwall.police.uk/crimereporting/) and once submitted your information/crime report will be logged.
If you have a question, but not sure who can help then AskNED - our online directory will provide the answers to all your non-emergency questions. Visit https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/contact/ask-ned/ enter your question, select your location and AskNED will provide you with the answer.
So why call when you don’t have to - go online: https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/clickb4ucall
This is a message from Devon and Cornwall Police.
In these ever changing times, if you need to contact the police, and it’s not an emergency why not contact us using one of our online methods?
By visiting our website – https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/ you can report non-emergency crime and queries through our online contact methods – WebChat and Report Crime Online.
WebChat - allows you to talk directly to our contact centre staff, just the same as calling them. It’s simple and easy to use and can be accessed through any desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile device, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Report Crime Online - if you want to report a crime or tell the police about something that’s already happened then fill in the details on the online crime reporting form (https://services.devon-cornwall.police.uk/crimereporting/) and once submitted your information/crime report will be logged.
If you have a question, but not sure who can help then AskNED - our online directory will provide the answers to all your non-emergency questions. Visit https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/contact/ask-ned/ enter your question, select your location and AskNED will provide you with the answer.
So why call when you don’t have to - go online: https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/clickb4ucall
Courier Fraud
What is Courier Fraud?
Criminals carry out courier fraud by cold calling the victim, purporting to be a police officer or bank official. The fraudsters will then claim there’s an issue with the victim’s bank account or request their assistance with an ongoing bank or police investigation. The ultimate aim of this call is to trick them into handing over money or their bank details.
Common techniques used by the fraudsters include telling the victim to withdraw large sums of cash, purchase an expensive item, or provide their bank cards/details. In all cases, a ‘courier’ will then come and pick up the cash or items, on behalf of the police or bank. They will often come to the victim’s home address.
Courier Fraud is committed by Organised Crime Groups and targets the elderly and vulnerable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy-RSQfwLDw or
https://www.met.police.uk/littlemedia
(Avoiding Impersonation Fraud)
The scale of courier fraud in the UK should not be underestimated, as nationally:
Recently we have had two victims in the North Devon area, suffering a loss of around £10,000 each.
If you or someone you know has been a victim, it can be quite common to not feel able to report it. We urge you to do so in order that we can get a full picture of the offences which will give us the best chance of catching the offenders. Please report on 101. If it is easier for you to email please send information to: 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
If cold callers, withheld numbers and silent calls are an issue for you or someone you know then please see this link for information about call blockers:
https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/your-money/fraud/courier-and-telephone-fraud/
What is Courier Fraud?
Criminals carry out courier fraud by cold calling the victim, purporting to be a police officer or bank official. The fraudsters will then claim there’s an issue with the victim’s bank account or request their assistance with an ongoing bank or police investigation. The ultimate aim of this call is to trick them into handing over money or their bank details.
Common techniques used by the fraudsters include telling the victim to withdraw large sums of cash, purchase an expensive item, or provide their bank cards/details. In all cases, a ‘courier’ will then come and pick up the cash or items, on behalf of the police or bank. They will often come to the victim’s home address.
Courier Fraud is committed by Organised Crime Groups and targets the elderly and vulnerable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy-RSQfwLDw or
https://www.met.police.uk/littlemedia
(Avoiding Impersonation Fraud)
The scale of courier fraud in the UK should not be underestimated, as nationally:
- £10.5 million reported loss in just two years
- Over 2,000 reports to Action Fraud in two years
- Two thirds of victims were women over 75
- On average victims lost over £8,000 each
Recently we have had two victims in the North Devon area, suffering a loss of around £10,000 each.
If you or someone you know has been a victim, it can be quite common to not feel able to report it. We urge you to do so in order that we can get a full picture of the offences which will give us the best chance of catching the offenders. Please report on 101. If it is easier for you to email please send information to: 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
If cold callers, withheld numbers and silent calls are an issue for you or someone you know then please see this link for information about call blockers:
https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/your-money/fraud/courier-and-telephone-fraud/