WEEKLY FRAUD UPDATE FROM WEST MERCIA POLICE - ECONOMIC CRIME UNIT - 15/10/2024
AUTHORISED PUSH PAYMENT REFUNDS

First of all, what is an Authorised Push Payment (APP)?

A Push Payment is a payment method where the payer has control of a payment process, including setting the amount paid and the destination for those funds, such as an online bank transfer.

However, APP’s are often used by Scammers to get their victims to transfer monies from their bank account to the account controlled by the fraudsters.

What to do if you have been scammed?

As soon as you realise you have lost money, via an APP scam, notify your bank or payment provider. You can contact most of the major banks fraud departments by calling the short number “159”.

Will your Bank refund you?

If the loss was prior to 7th October 2024, then the case is dealt with under a voluntary reimbursement code and the Banks need to take various steps to protect customers and reimburse those who are not to blame for the scam. This will only apply for transfers between UK Bank accounts.

If the loss was after 7th October 2024, the new APP reimbursement scheme comes into force applying to all bank transfers after that date. This applies to all types of APP fraud including romance and impersonation scams.
• The rules apply to all payment services offering Faster Payments
• The maximum you can claim back is £85,000
• Payment providers may also charge an excess of £100 per claim

There are still responsibilities required of the consumer however including:
• not acting negligently
• following advice from your bank or payment provider
• reporting a scam to the bank or payment provider as soon as possible
• reporting the scam to the police

But beware! Yes, the criminals have already seized on this as a new opportunity and there are already scam emails circulating claiming to come from a major bank; the current emails come from an email address ending in “.fi” which is Finland. They promise to notify you of any transactions on your account straightaway and ask you to verify your mobile phone number.

The clickable link takes you to a fake website with some very convincing logos and then asks you to enter various personal banking details, including passwords and PIN’s.

So as ever, be vigilant, never click on links in suspicious emails and do not be rushed into making any commitments.

Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours
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Take Five to Stop Fraud

STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud

ALWAYS REMEMBER:
• Avoid disclosing security details
• Emails, Phone Calls and Texts may not be authentic
• Always make direct contact with any organisation by using a genuine phone number
• Stop and Challenge any unexpected requests
• Protect others by reporting Fraud and Scams
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If you’ve fallen for a scam,
report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk

Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks. You can also report Scam mobile calls by texting 7726 with the word “Call” followed by the scam caller’s phone number.

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number - 159 - to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks

Message Sent By
Michael Barbour
(Police, PSV, Economic Crime Unit – Fraud Protect’ )

This is the key time to be aware of emails, texts, or even phone calls, claiming to be from HMRC, and Scammers will maximise that opportunity to send out those texts, emails and also phone calls to catch out their victims. But whilst October and January are key dates in the HMRC Self-Assessment Calendar, fake messages purporting to come from HMRC may be around all year round, so everyone needs to be aware.

Criminals will take advantage of the Self-Assessment deadlines to panic you into sharing personal or financial details or even paying bogus “Tax Due”. So please take a moment to think before parting with any information or money. If in doubt, check with HMRC using reliable contact details provided by them.

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
• Scammers may text or email people to tell them they are due a Tax Rebate from HMRC; this may also include a link that asks for personal details which can be used for further scams
• Scammers are also using phone calls to gain people’s details
• Automated phone calls may be used to say people owe tax, and arrest warrants may be issued by HMRC unless they pay the outstanding tax
• Fake web pages have also been used which can copy the genuine HMRC website

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
Before you give out any personal details first consider:

• Were you expecting to be contacted? Check it is really HMRC contacting you
• Are you being pressured? If the request is for an urgent money transfer or for personal details be very wary. HMRC will never ask for payments using Gift Cards
• Are you being threatened with arrest? HMRC will never call you and threaten arrest
• Are you being asked for personal bank details or to transfer money?
• Is it sounding too good to be true? Are you really expecting a Tax Rebate?
• Is the website or email address genuine? Always double check these details if you are unsure. Some more refined scams may use official details and logos so be aware
• Check your personal tax account online to see if there are any genuine messages
• If you think it is a scam, report it to HMRC as soon as possible for further investigations. You can report suspicious emails via phishing@hmrc.gov.uk

This also applies to the regular raft of other messages claiming to be from other similar Government and Non-Governmental Agencies (NGA’s)

Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take Five to Stop Fraud

STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud

ALWAYS REMEMBER:
• Avoid disclosing security details
• Emails, Phone Calls and Texts may not be authentic
• Always make direct contact with any organisation by using a genuine phone number
• Stop and Challenge any unexpected requests
• Protect others by reporting Fraud and Scams
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you’ve fallen for a scam,
report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk

Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks.

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number - 159 - to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks