The Latest Frauds - Alert System From Kent Police

The ECRC works closely with local policing to ensure that our members benefit from the free tools and services offered by local policing.

One valuable tool is the Kent Fraud Email Alert System (K'FAs), created by Stephen Kelly, the Fraud Prevent and Protect Officer for Kent Police. This system provides weekly alerts to inform the public and businesses about current scams and how to best protect themselves.

The K'FAs, reach hundreds and thousands, not just in Kent but in other areas up and down the country as we are all affected by similar offences. The ECRC publishes Stephen Kelly's weekly K'FAs for our members so you can stay informed and learn about the latest threats targeting businesses and the general public. For further information about fraud, visit Advice About Fraud | Kent Police.

Courier Fraud

We have received numerous reports of courier fraud happening in Tunbridge Wells, Sittingbourne, Gillingham, Ramsgate, Dartford, Canterbury and Aylesford.

Residents have been getting phone calls from criminals mostly impersonating Police Officers and some claiming to be from their bank.

• One resident was told to "dial the long number on their card without clearing the line" and spoke to who he thought was his bank.

• Another was told their bank card had been used at Sainsbury's and to call 999 but without clearing their line.

• A few were told their bank cards had been copied/cloned.

• One was told by their bank to "withdraw £1500 to get a new card".

• Another was told to stop using his bank card and go to the bank to withdraw the money for them to collect to help with an investigation.

The Police will NEVER ask you for financial details on the phone or request to collect your card or cash or gold as part of an investigation.

Remember the ABC of Scam Awareness and Never Assume or Believe a call is genuine and always Confirm.

If you get an unexpected call from someone claiming to be Police or any other organisation, then take their details and end the call. Then call back using a different phone if available. If another phone is not available, then wait 5 minutes and ring a family member or friend to ensure the line has been disconnected and then ring 101. Never call a number they have supplied and never ring 999 whilst still on the call with them. You must always disconnect the call first before ringing 101.

If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

For further information about Fraud, visit our website at Advice About Fraud | Kent Police.

You will also find valuable information from the Home Office at Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams.

PayPal Fake Email

A scam email impersonating PayPal tells you that an unauthorised transaction was made using your PayPal account.

It prompts you to call a number to receive a refund which will put you through to a scammer trying to get your personal and financial details.

If you get an email like this or any other suspicious looking emails, you can report these by forwarding to report@phishing.gov.uk.

For more information on phishing, go to - Phishing: Spot and Report Scam Emails, Texts, Websites and ... NCSC.GOV.UK.

If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

For further information about Fraud, visit our website at Advice About Fraud | Kent Police.

You will also find valuable information from the Home Office at Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams.

Mobile Phone Scam

We have seen reports of this crime recently.

The victim receives a call from a criminal impersonating their telecommunications company.

They inform them that they are eligible for a special offer due to them being classed as a loyal customer.

They offer them a new phone upgrade at a low cost.

Once they have agreed, details are taken to set up the new contract and direct debit. The criminal uses these details to enter into a contract with a phone provider for a new phone.

This phone will be different to any that the victim agreed to. This new device is delivered to the victims address who then contacts the offender to state they have received a phone they did not order. The offender, still posing as a member of staff from the phone company apologises for the mistake and advises them they will order the correct device and send it out now but the victim must return the device they have.

The offender arranges for a courier to collect the package.

This package is then delivered to the criminals and no new phone is ever ordered for the victim.

Remember our scam awareness message of ABC and Never Assume or Believe a call is genuine and always Confirm. If you get a call from a company, always ring them back via a trusted number and confirm that the offer s genuine. If you are asked to return a device to a private address, then it will be a scam.

If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

For further information about Fraud, visit our website at Advice About Fraud | Kent Police.

You will also find valuable information from the Home Office at Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams.

Tea for Two - Not Likely

Look out for a fake email impersonating M&S.

It will state that you have been chosen to receive an afternoon tea letterbox hamper and that you simply need to click a link and complete a survey.

However, by clicking the link you are taken to a website under the control of the criminals where they will steal your personal and financial data.

If you get an email like this or any other suspicious looking emails, you can report these by forwarding to report@phishing.gov.uk.

For more information on phishing, go to - Phishing: Spot and Report Scam Emails, Texts, Websites and ... NCSC.GOV.UK.

If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

For further information about Fraud, visit our website at Advice About Fraud | Kent Police.

You will also find valuable information from the Home Office at Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams.

Weight Loss Pill Scam Email

A scam email impersonating Mail Online promotes a 'miracle weight loss pill'.

The email also says that the product scored a deal on TV show Dragon's Den.

The email asks you to click on a link to purchase the item, however, it is a scam and takes you to a realistic looking website under the control of the criminals, where they will steal your personal and financial data.

If you get an email like this or any other suspicious looking emails, you can report these by forwarding to report@phishing.gov.uk.

For more information on phishing, go to - Phishing: Spot and Report Scam Emails, Texts, Websites and ... NCSC.GOV.UK.

If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

For further information about Fraud, visit our website at Advice About Fraud | Kent Police.

You will also find valuable information from the Home Office at Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams.

How can the ECRC support?

By joining the ECRC as a free member, your organisation will be supported in making the small changes that make the biggest difference when it comes to cyber resilience. Becoming a free member means you will receive the latest cyber resilience guidance via email, which will drip feed you ways in which you can improve your cyber resilience without costing any money.

The ECRC website also contains several links to helpful National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) resources, which are all free, up-to-date, and easy to use. Tools such as Exercise in a Box and the NCSC Cyber Action Plan are particularly useful in terms of identifying areas where you could improve your cybersecurity. They also have many informative guides that are sector specific, which will give you useful and detailed information.

If you would like more information about how the ECRC can help your organisation specifically, please book a chat with us today!

Reporting a live cyber-attack 24/7:

If you are a business, charity or other organisation which is currently suffering a live cyber-attack (in progress) please call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 immediately. This service is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Reporting a cyber-attack which is not ongoing:

Please report online to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. You can report cybercrime online at any time using the online reporting tool, which will guide you through simple questions to identify what has happened. Action Fraud advisors can also provide the help, support, and advice you need.

Alternatively, you can call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (textphone 0300 123 2050).