Steps you can take to detect fake retail websites, missed-delivery texts and other swindles
Fake retailer websites
Where there’s a news story, there’s a fraud, and in August it was headlines saying that Wilko had gone into administration and was expected to shut stores that gave criminals an opportunity. Just days after the retailer collapsed, there were at least 10 websites claiming to offer discounted Wilko goods, many of which had been designed to look official.
Santander says these and other scam shopping sites resulted in more than 5,000 complaints from its customers alone in August, with people losing an average of £37.
How to avoid: Check the website address of any link you follow, and think twice if items look very cheap. These scam sites often put you under pressure by giving you just a few minutes to complete your purchases. Legitimate retailers don’t do this.‘Hi mum’ text messages
You get a message claiming to be from a relative – often a son or daughter – who has lost their phone and is using a friend’s to get in touch. There might be some small talk, but eventually they say they need help to pay for something and ask you to transfer the money to the account that needs paying. This is the fraudsters’ account, and your money has gone as soon as you sanction the payment.
How to avoid: Never pay anything until you have spoken to the relative who is asking for money – even if they say the transfer is urgent. If it really is them, they will find some way to call you.Missed delivery texts
A text – or sometimes email – arrives telling you that a courier is attempting to deliver a parcel, but you need to pay a fee or rearrange collection. It offers a link to a website where you can do this, or an app to download.
