ATP Template with bundler

SQ553: I have received an email from someone telling me that I am going to inherit some money from a person I have never heard of. What should I do?

Answer

This is known as 'phishing ' where the same email gets sent out to many people and the odds are that someone will reply.

There are a lot of different scams going around with the same theme. Either you are a long lost relative of a recently deceased person, you have been chosen to inherit a large amount of money from a person who does not have any living relatives, or maybe you have won on the lottery.

If you were a long lost relative it is unlikely that the executors would make contact with you via email. Is the phone number a mobile? Solicitors and executors of wills do not just hand over large sums of money without very thorough checks, so before you go any further check out the source of the communication. Go and speak to them in person at the Law Firm (if it is a scam it will not have been sent by lawyers at the firm, assuming it is a real firm that has been mentioned in the communication). Make sure they sent the letter. Payment for the execution of a will comes out of the dead person's estate not from the people likely to receive a bequest. It's better to take that sort of trouble than pay out a lot of money on the basis of an email and a phone call to a mobile.

A recent scam is a letter purporting to be from the police confirming the authenticity of a letter regarding a lottery win. This is not true; the police do not authenticate commercial organisations.

DO NOT give out your personal details, bank account details or send any money to anyone who sends you such an email. Many people have been defrauded out of a lot of money. No matter how official it sounds it is highly unlikely that you will receive any money.

If something seems too good to be true then it usually is.

Scam emails, texts and calls can be reported to the National Cyber Security Centre, please see the link in Related Information for details. 

Did you find this question useful?
Related Topics
Related Information

Related questions

Answer

Zoom is a video conferencing app. Zoom Bombing is a cyber attack on your video call where an individual or a group of people enter it without the permission of the host. These individuals then display offensive or explicit images in order to cause distress to the recipients.

During the Coronavirus emergency period, video conferencing is helping many people to work remotely and allowing us to stay in touch with our families and friends. Unfortunately as worldwide use of video conferencing increases, so has the reporting of cyber attacks .

The links in Related Information provide details of how to secure your Zoom meeting and prevent unwanted joining.

If you have experienced zoom bombing, this can reported to Zoom and depending on the nature of the content, your Local Police Force.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Information
Answer

Phishing is a cyber crime where criminals contact people by email, telephone or text message, pretending to be a legitimate organisation. They try to get people to provide personal information such as bank details and passwords, and often include links that once clicked, download a virus to your computer and steal personal information. The information is then used to access accounts and can result in identity theft and financial loss.

Be aware of suspicious messages and emails and do not click on links or attachments in them. Never respond to unsolicited messages that ask for your personal or financial details.

If you do receive a suspicious email, this can be reported to National Cyber Security Centre via their Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS). See SQ680 and SQ749 for further information regarding fraud and see the links in Related Information to report any suspicious or fraudulent emails.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Information
Answer

Many people and businesses have made contact with HM Revenue and Customs to seek financial guidance and support during the Coronavirus pandemic.

As a result, phishing emails and texts claiming to be from HMRC have become more prevalent, as scammers hope to profit from the unprecedented emergency period.

Examples of phishing emails can be found on the following link:

gov.uk/government/publications/phishing-and-bogus-emails-hm-revenue-and-customs-examples

Fraudsters ask for immediate action. Be wary of emails containing phrases like 'you only have 3 days to reply' or 'urgent action required'. Remember, phishing emails are common for all sorts of issues. As a rule of thumb, never click on links contained in suspicious emails or open attachments.

The link below provides genuine HMRC contact information and guidance on how to recognise phishing emails:

gov.uk/government/publications/genuine-hmrc-contact-and-recognising-phishing-emails/genuine-hmrc-contact-and-recognising-phishing-emails

Please see SQ1023 for how to report a suspicious/ phishing/ scam email.

If you have already responded to a suspicious message, take the following steps:

  • if you have provided your bank details, contact your bank as soon as possible and let them know,
  • if you have lost money, tell your bank and report it as a crime to Action Fraud,
  • change your passwords, this goes for email and all accounts and create new, strong passwords,
  • if you have opened a link or followed instructions to install software, run a comprehensive virus scan,
  • if you have received the message on a work laptop or phone, contact your IT department and let them know.

Did you find this question useful?
Answer

A phone scam is where a fraudster calls you on the phone or sends a text, to try to trick you into giving them personal information, bank details or money. Scams are increasingly clever and sophisticated, as a result they catch people out. It isn't just the elderly who are susceptible to scams but it is the elderly who are often targeted.

Tips to reduce your risk of being scammed:

  • Never do anything you don't want to or make decisions on the spot.
  • Always check their credentials.
  • Ask someone you trust for a second opinion.
  • Do not give away any personal information.
  • Share your experience with others to lower their risk of being scammed.

Some callers will claim to be from your bank, for example, and to confirm that they are genuine, they will ask you to call them back using the proper telephone number for that bank / company. However, when scammers do this, they remain on the line when you hang up and dial the bank's number, so that you remain connected to them. To ensure they are genuine, make another call to someone you know, before calling them back, so that you know the original call has been disconnected.

The missed call scam is when fraudsters telephone you but hang up before the call is answered. Many people will ring back in case it is urgent. These calls can incur premium-rate charges and payments can be applied for just connecting the call, regardless of how long you stay on the line. In some cases you may hear a long recorded message to keep you on the phone for as long as possible so that the charges mount up. The scammers get a share of the revenue generated by the calls.

If you are concerned that you or a relative have receive a scam call or text, hang up or delete the text. You can call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit their website (see link in related information) to report it.

You can reduce unwanted phone calls by:

  • signing up the Telephone Preference Service, this registration service is free, please see the links in Relation Information for details;
  • investing in a caller ID service from your phone provider, and only take calls from numbers that you recognise;
  • investing in a phone that blocks unknown numbers
  • removing your details from the public phone directory;
  • reporting silent / abandoned calls to Ofcom (see link in related information).

Did you find this question useful?
Related Information
Answer

Your pension can be one of your most valuable assets and like anything valuable, it can become the target for illegal activities, scams and high risk investments.

Pensions scammers often target older people who have built up large amounts of money over the years, convincing them to move secure pension pots into fraudulent or extremely risky schemes. This can leave hard-working people with little or no chance to rebuild their pensions pots, causing them stress and financial hardship.

Scammers try to persuade pension savers to transfer their entire pension savings, or to release funds from it, by making attractive-sounding promises they have no intention of keeping. The pension money is often invested in unusual, high risk investments like:

  • overseas property and hotels
  • renewable energy bonds
  • forestry
  • parking
  • storage units

A pension scam can begin with unsolicited contact by phone, email or text from someone claiming to represent a financial services firm or Government body. The tactics used are becoming increasing sophisticated.

Here are a few simple signs to look out for, which include:

  • you are contacted out of the blue
  • you receive an offer that's too good to be true
  • offering you access to your pension before the age of 55
  • you are expected to invest in an unusual interest
  • you are asked to withdraw money first
  • you are told to act quickly for the best deal

If you transfer your pension savings into a scam, you run the very real risk of losing a significant, if not all of your pension savings, as well as facing high commission or arrangement fees.

Additionally, accessing your pension early is only allowed in very special circumstances, such as ill health. If you access and transfer your pension before the age of 55, this may classify as an 'unauthorised payment' from your pension fund. This may result in significant tax penalties and HMRC can impose a charge of up to 55% of the value of your pension.

Don't be rushed into making a decision or signing anything, a genuine adviser will not rush you. All pension savers are advised to check the Financial Services Register to make sure an adviser or company is registered before you agree to anything, see link in related information.

Did you find this question useful?
Related Information
 
Question

I have received an email from someone telling me that I am going to inherit some money from a person I have never heard of. What should I do?

Answer

This is known as 'phishing ' where the same email gets sent out to many people and the odds are that someone will reply.

There are a lot of different scams going around with the same theme. Either you are a long lost relative of a recently deceased person, you have been chosen to inherit a large amount of money from a person who does not have any living relatives, or maybe you have won on the lottery.

If you were a long lost relative it is unlikely that the executors would make contact with you via email. Is the phone number a mobile? Solicitors and executors of wills do not just hand over large sums of money without very thorough checks, so before you go any further check out the source of the communication. Go and speak to them in person at the Law Firm (if it is a scam it will not have been sent by lawyers at the firm, assuming it is a real firm that has been mentioned in the communication). Make sure they sent the letter. Payment for the execution of a will comes out of the dead person's estate not from the people likely to receive a bequest. It's better to take that sort of trouble than pay out a lot of money on the basis of an email and a phone call to a mobile.

A recent scam is a letter purporting to be from the police confirming the authenticity of a letter regarding a lottery win. This is not true; the police do not authenticate commercial organisations.

DO NOT give out your personal details, bank account details or send any money to anyone who sends you such an email. Many people have been defrauded out of a lot of money. No matter how official it sounds it is highly unlikely that you will receive any money.

If something seems too good to be true then it usually is.

Scam emails, texts and calls can be reported to the National Cyber Security Centre, please see the link in Related Information for details. 
 
ATPLogo
@2023 Copyright Police National Legal Database