Yo! - Scams

Until recently most identity fraud involved an unsuspecting retailer being duped into supplying goods in your name, everyone accepted that you haven't had the goods and the banks quickly recover their losses from the retailer, so you don't loose any money. But as retailers become more vigilant the fraudsters are having to turn to other methods of making money from your name. When you find a £250 debit from your account that's for an online bet with a gambling site that's untraceable then there's no retailer for the bank to recover their losses from... sorry your losses. It's your loss because the bank will insist that it was only possible as a result of your lack of security. If you've any doubt that this could happen, ask any retailer who accepts debit/credit cards.

Be under no illusion... if the banks can't recover the losses from a retailer then they will try every trick in the book to make you responsible and if you think the insurance they sold you from the last incident will cover you, then you really do need a paddle.

There's little doubt that the internet provides a huge opportunity for scams and you must always be on your guard. A good example of how even someone from one of the more intelligent sections of our society was duped into giving out his details, not via the internet but the internet was undoubtedly used by the criminals to get fast and accurate information on the victim. It's worth reading and a warning to us all... click here!

Food For Thought

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A Doctor recently had his wallet stolen. On his arrival home the telephone was ringing and upon answering he was informed by a Police Officer of the (still undiscovered) theft and that the culprit had been apprehended. It was in fact the thief pretending to be the police and he told the G.P. that as a matter of routine they had notified his bank and credit card company of the theft and all the cards had been cancelled. The 'policeman' made an appointment to see the Doctor that following evening when he would take a full statement.

A few minutes later he received a telephone call from a security advisor from his bank who knew all about his misfortune. She informed him that the card had been used but all monies would be reimbursed. You can imagine that the Doctor was very impressed with the service. It was her job to send him new cards but of course she had to ask him certain security questions which he willingly gave.

The following evening another 'policeman' rang to say that the officer dealing with his case was tied up with a serious road traffic accident and couldn’t make the appointment, also that he was then off-duty for two days so could the appointment be rearranged for the evening in three days time.

On that third day the Doctor checked up on the whereabouts of his replacement cards and found to his horror that the bank was unaware of any theft and the cards were still active and he had made numerous purchases over the last three days to the value of £4,755. Now if that can happen to a Doctor, who ain't usually dim, what chance have the rest of us.