Types of Fraud

Also known as smishing, this is similar to phishing, but instead, the unsuspecting victim is targeted via text message in order to try and gain access to bank card information, personal details or any kind of financial information that can be used by criminals. It will usually be impersonating well-known companies, for example, it may be from a retailer asking you to verify a gift you purchased encouraging you to tap on a link that is actually a phishing site. To trick you into acting, they will often convey some sort of urgency that requires immediate attention, so no matter how scary the warning is, think before you panic and fall for it!

Phishing is an attempt by fraudsters to obtain personal information by posing as a trusted company and can be done via email, SMS or even Phone spoofing. The communication will be unsolicited and may refer to some sort of issue with your account or a need to verify something.

The main purpose of such communication it to try and fool you into clicking on a link or providing sensitive data or information. These can often be hard to spot because they will use official company logos and similar email domains, often only with a one-letter change. For example, our official email domain is @bnkpro.co.uk or @bnkpro.com, but scammers may use something similar like @bkpro.co.uk or @Bnkpo.com

Although there are common signs that should raise a red flag, such as bad grammar & spelling, this is not always the case, so to be safe, if you are ever unsure if a communication came from us, please LiveChat with us directly to confirm.

As the name suggests, this kind of fraud takes place when someone steals your personal identity or financial information and uses it to commit fraud. For example, they may use your details open accounts with gambling sites or drain the funds in your account making online transactions. It can sometimes be hard to know when you have been a victim of identify theft, especially if you are not noticing unauthorised payments, so we recommend that you frequently check or have alerts set up to monitor this and question anything you do not recognise. If you believe you may have been a victim of identity theft, please contact us immediately.

Card fraud is generally a situation whereby a fraudster tricks you into making a card transaction. This can be done through a variety of methods, but some of the most common ones are:

• They pretend to be from BnkPro or another bank where you have an account and may ask you to follow a link to confirm some details, or say that there was a problem with your account that needs resolving.
• Impersonating the police or governmental organisations that are asking you to pay a non-existent fine or fee, or to send over your personal details to clear a warrant.
• Impersonating utility companies, and asking you to pay or verify bills.

Nowadays most people are switched on to email and online fraud, but Phone fraud is becoming a more common tactic used by scammers, as people often are more likely to fall for things and requests over the phone. Scammers may act as representatives of communications services and ask you to press certain digits to be transferred to a certain department which is actually an external line set up by criminals with high charges that will then appear on your phone bill. They can also use technologies to clone phone numbers so the call may look like it’s coming from your bank or communications provider.

So if you get an unsolicited call from anyone asking you to take some action or provide sensitive information, stop, and hang up!

These are some of the most common tricks people fall for! Fraudsters pose as investment companies and display unrealistic investment returns and encourage you to deposit with them. Sometimes they claim to be representatives of legitimate investment companies. They may play the long game and send you fake screenshots over time that make it look as though they are making profits for you. They will then typically demand more funds in order to make a withdrawal or will just disappear with your funds all together.

This is often done through fake social media accounts or messaging groups. A reputable investment company would never contact through such methods, nor would they make promises of profits or guaranteed returns. Although these people are hard to trace, we recommend reporting such communication directly with the social media companies although the most they can do usually is take down the page/account.

Always be suspicious of offers that are too good to be true or make promises of returns. No one can guarantee profit.

Online shopping scams are very common and often the easiest to fall for. Make sure to only shop online with well-known retailers, check that the website begins with HTTPS and read online reviews first. We suggest purchasing only through sites that offer buyer protection and using card transfer and not bank transfer. Card transactions are easier to make a chargeback and get your funds back, and you can also use a BnkPro virtual card to do this.

They can often tempt you through targeted advertising in social media or by email. When branded items are super cheap in comparison to the brand’s own store, this is an indication that the offer may be a scam or a counterfeit good. As the saying goes, ‘if an offer is too good to be true, it usually is!’

Another ploy used by fraudsters is to send emails or SMS regarding a delivery that is on its way to you, asking you to follow a link to confirm your address or rearrange delivery. If in doubt, or you are really expecting a delivery, you can go to the courier’s website directly (do not follow any links) and search for your tracking number directly or call the office.

In recent years with the rise of coronavirus, scammers took advantage of the situation by using fake messages to try and gain access to personal information or sell fake products.

For example, it may be regarding vaccines and how you can make an appointment, falsely telling you that you have been identified as a close contact or claiming to sell magic medical concoctions!