The Latest Frauds - Alert System From Kent Police
- emilybevan6
- Jun 5
- 6 min read
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.
Scam Alert: Stay One Step Ahead
Text messages remain one of the top ways scammers target victims, according to a BBC report from April. After a loved one lost nearly £150,000 to a scam, Alex Somervell launched a new tool to help others avoid the same fate.
Introducing Ask Silver - a free, AI-powered scam checker.
Just snap a photo or screenshot of any suspicious email, website, or leaflet.
Send it to Silver on WhatsApp.
Silver will scan it for red flags and guide you on what to do next.
Protect yourself and your loved ones.
Sign up now at: Ask Silver - Free Scam Checker.
If you think that you may have been a victim of any 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.
Investment Scam Alert: Don't Get Caught Out
Social media is a major hunting ground for investment scammers, with 36% of all UK investment fraud reports last year linked to platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.
Have you received an unexpected message offering a 'cant-miss' investment opportunity?
It could be a scam.
Criminals often impersonate trusted public figures like Martin Lewis, Elon Musk, or Jeremy Clarkson to gain your trust. With the rise of AI and deepfake technology, these impersonations are becoming more convincing than ever.
Stay informed and protect your money.
If you think that you may have been a victim of any 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.
Email Scam Alert: Fake Microsoft Malware Warnings:
Be on the look out for fake emails claiming to be from Microsoft. These messages warn that your device is infected with malware and urges you to click on a link to fix the issue.
Do not click the link?
It is a scam designed to steal your personal and financial information. The link leads to a convincing but fraudulent website.
What to Do:
Do not click on any links or download attachments.
Report suspicious emails by forwarding them to: report@phishing.gov.uk.
Learn how to spot and report phishing attempts at: Phishing: Spot and report scam emails, texts, websites and ... NCSC.GOV.UK
Start alert, stay safe.
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.
Scam Alert: Fake iCloud Storage Emails:
Beware of a phishing scam that is making the rounds, impersonating Apple and iCloud. The email claims your iCloud storage is full or nearly full, urging you to click a link to extend your storage and continue using iCloud services.
Do not be fooled. This is a scam designed to create a sense of urgency and trick you into clicking a malicious link. The link leads to a realistic-looking fake website controlled by criminals, who aim to steal your personal and financial information.
What you should do:
Do not click on any links or enter any information.
Report suspicious emails by forwarding them to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Learn more about phishing and how to protect yourself at: Phishing: Spot and report scam emails, texts, websites and... - NCSC.GOV.UK.
Stay cautious. Think before you click.
Romance Scams - Are you a victim or think someone you know maybe?
Unfortunately, this is a scam that we see reported daily, with victims losing many thousands of pounds. Romance scams involve people being scammed into sending money to criminals who go to great lengths to gain their trust and convince them that they are in a genuine relationship.
They use language to manipulate, persuade and exploit so that requests for money do not raise alarm bells. These requests might be highly emotive, such as criminals claiming they need money for emergency medical care, or to pay for transport costs to visit the victim if they are overseas. Criminals will often build a relationship with their victims over time.
Other popular versions of this scam are criminals impersonating famous celebrities or friendship scams, where they will ask you for financial help as a friend or they may state that they are aware of an incredible investment opportunity to share. However, these are all scams.
Many victims are not even aware they are victims and are often in denial, so it is important that family and friends are aware of the signs.
They may be very secretive about their relationship or provide excuses for why their online partner has not video called or met them in person.
They might become hostile or angry and withdraw from conversations when you ask them any questions about their partner.
They may express strong emotions and commitment to someone they have only just met.
They have sent, or are planning to send, money to someone they have not met face-to-face.
They may take out loans or withdraw from their pension to send money.
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).
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