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.

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.

Rogue Trader Alert

Over the past week we have received reports of victim's being subject to these types of offences from Sheerness, Romney Marsh, Ashford, Sevenoaks, Maidstone and Faversham.

Many reports involved cold callers offering to conduct (unnecessary) work and then stating that they had found more non-existent problems.

They have been touting for roof work, gardening and cleaning gutters etc.

These types of offences are not isolated to any individual locations and are taking place across the country.

Remember -

• Never deal with cold callers.

• Always obtain at least three written quotes and never agree to work on your doorstep, no matter how tempting the offer.

• Ask family and friends for recommendations.

• Agree payment arrangements and start and finish dates in writing beforehand.

• Never pay in full until you are completely satisfied with the work.

If you 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.

Bank Impersonation Scams

We have seen some reports of people receiving text messages from criminals impersonating their Banks.

They will often say that they are from the Bank Fraud department and that there is a problem on the account. They will request that the person either transfers their balances to a new safe account online or that there is a problem with their card and they will send a courier to collect it or even that they need to withdraw their money from their account and send it via Royal Mail to a safe place.

All of these are SCAMS. Your Bank will never ask you to do any of these things. If you receive a call from your Bank, then ring them back using 159 but ensuring the line has first been disconnected.

Romance Scams

More than £99.4 million was lost to romance fraud in 2024 across the UK.

Romance fraud remains a high-risk fraud, impacting those targeted financially, emotionally, and psychologically. It is one of the most callous and psychologically damaging types of crime that costs victims more than just a broken bank balance.

Below are some tips to stay cautious:

• Verify photos: Use a reverse image search to ensure the photos are real.

• Be suspicious: If they start asking for money, especially if you have not met them in person.

• Talk to others: Speak to your friends or family - do not keep them a secret.

• Beware of celebrity romance scams online. Just because it looks and sounds like the person, it may not be them, due to the use of deepfake and voice cloning which means criminals can look like and sound like the people they are impersonating.

• Never send money, gift cards or sim cards to a person you have only ever met online, no matter how desperate their need is.

For further information please visit - Romance Scams | Action Fraud.

If you 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.

Courier Fraud

We have received multiple reports of Courier Fraud in the past few weeks across Kent.

The criminals are still employing various methods from posing as Police Officers from multiple Police Stations, stating that they have arrested someone in possession of the victim's bank card to requesting financial information or asking victims to withdraw cash for a courier to collect as evidence.

If you get any calls like this, STOP, it is a scam. 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 you have one 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. Watch - Courier Fraud Warning: Stay Wise, Don't Compromise.

If you 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.

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).