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New coronavirus scams are cropping up every day, but how can you protect your vulnerable loved ones from these fraudulent acts when you can’t visit them? Read on to discover more…
Scams are some of the most common forms of fraudulent criminal activity within the UK. With social media, text messaging, and even doorstep scams emerging every single day, it seems that nowhere is safe!
Well, it looks like the scamming scene might have just taken a step up. Now, with so many businesses and people remaining at home, scams have now risen by a whopping 400 percent in recent weeks! It seems that fraudsters are taking advantage of the vulnerable people in their homes, who may fall for these enticing tricks.
Crimes like this are acts of serious fraud, which is why it’s important that you know how to recognise them. What’s more, with our entire elderly population remaining in their homes, this makes them far more vulnerable than usual. So, tune in to discover some of the best ways you can protect your vulnerable loved ones from afar.
5 Coronavirus Scams to Look Out For
Coronavirus scammers are using the classic techniques to take advantage of vulnerable people. That said, the kindness of some of these scams, which can then lead to such vicious attacks, both physically and through technology, is mind-blowing. For some examples of classic Coronavirus scams that have popped up over the last month, check them out below:
1. Phishing Emails or Text Messages
There are a huge number of phishing emails and message going around right now, which are pretty dangerous. These could give scammers access to all your messages and photos, or even your bank details, if the links are clicked. Some classic examples that have been reported include:
- World Health Organisation (WHO) scam: a text message was going around which offered a link to a supposed PDF file, providing advice on staying safe during lockdown. The link then asked you to fill in your email address and password to receive the PDF, which never came.
- HMRC “good will payment” tax relief scam: another message was circulating, which declared an offering of a goodwill payment from HMRC. This was designed to steal your account details, to take money off of unsuspecting victims.
- Lockdown fines: another message was being sent which talked of lockdown fines, which were said to be put in place if you stepped outside more than once. This is obviously completely ridiculous, considering the government has issued no warnings to ban leaving the home. However, it’s still easy to become anxious by something like this, and get duped along the way.
- Doom emails: these emails include “facts” about the virus which scare-monger, declaring that we’re not being fed the whole truth. These types of messages and emails also include lots of links which could contain malware.
- School meal emails: finally, there has also been a collection of emails tricking people into handing in their bank details. The emails claim that, if you’re entitled to free school meals, the government will reimburse you for the money spent on supplying your children at home. Naturally, this is just a hack to get into the victim’s bank balance.
2. Online Shopping Scams
Due to the roaring uptake in sanitising products, there have also been a number of shopping scams, from people who claim to sell these products. The scammers sell you items which are a scarcity at the moment, the money is paid, and then the items never arrive in the post.
3. Phone Calls
Phone calls are also being placed, with scammers claiming to be people from HMRC or banks. With so much uncertainty right now, people are trying to make sure they can safeguard themselves against coronavirus-related issues. So, with all this going on, it’s easy for people to become duped into handing over their details.
4. Doorstep Scammers
You may think we’re past the days of doorstep scammers. Why show your face when email and text messages do the job perfectly, after all?
Well, in this assumption, we’d all be wrong, as Coronavirus scammers seem to be taking old school approaches by knocking on peoples’ doors! Some examples of these situations include:
- Scammers offering to do the shopping for people, then taking their money, or even their card, from them at the door.
- Fraudsters offering to take peoples’ temperature, or give them an at-home testing kit for the virus, which allows people access into the home. This can provoke the criminals to rob the victims, or worse.
5. Social Media Scams
There are also a number of scaremongering scams on social media, including Twitter threads and the like, which proffer fake news. The posts are said to be from victims of the virus, or scientists claiming to be on the frontline. These may not be used to take peoples’ money and information, but they can be used to cause mass hysteria, and resentment against the government.
How to Spot a Scam
The key to spotting a scam is usually if it claims to come from a well-known organisation, bank, or company. What’s more, variations of a company name are also a tell-tale sign, for example a text message from ARG0S instead of Argos.
When it comes to phone calls, it’s pretty easy to spot a scam, as your real bank will most likely not call you themselves. It’ll usually be vice versa. What’s more, if they do call you up, they wouldn’t normally ask for your details over the phone, as they would usually have them at hand. So, anything out of the ordinary should be questioned.
It’s also a pretty common theme if the message has an urgent tone, requiring you to take action. Also, if they don’t use your actual name, and instead say “Customer”, or something similar, this is a hint. To top all this off, if the spelling, punctuation and grammar is a bit iffy, this is a clear sign too.
3 Ways to Protect Your Loved Ones in Self Isolation
Considering everything we’ve covered so far, it’s clear that we may not necessarily be the most at risk for falling for these dupes. That said, I’m sure we’ve all got someone in our lives who we know wouldn’t be so lucky.
Whether you have an elderly or special-needs relative, or just someone you know who may be more gullible, there are many people out there who may need extra guidance. So, here are some top tips for supporting your loved ones without having to see them in person…
1. Be There for Them
One of the best ways you can support your vulnerable loved ones from getting duped, is to be there for them as much as possible. If they’re getting all the help they need from you, then they won’t be so easily swayed by strangers.
This includes anything from picking up their shopping for them, to having their car taken to the carwash. Whatever it is, this should help them to avoid the wily charms of scammers, both in their DMs and on their doorsteps.
2. Mobile Protection Apps
These sorts of measures may seem like a bit of an invasion of privacy. That said, a bit of prying here and there is a lot better than having your elderly parents or grandparents have money stolen from them.
There are a number of mobile apps available, mainly designed for children, which can help you to protect the sorts of messages received on someone else’s mobile. You don’t need to necessarily “spy” on your family, but you could ask them if they would like your help, and download these apps with their permission.
Although it may seem pretty extreme, right now, this may be one of the only ways we can protect one another. Certainly, for the time being, when these sorts of issues are rife, this could be a good alternative to protecting them in person.
3. Check in With Your Family Members via Social Media
Communicating with your loved ones often is a great way to avoid any nasty malware from entering their lives. So, make a point of asking them, each time you talk, if they’ve received anything suspicious on their phones, computers, or doorsteps. This way, you can ensure they’re not getting into any trouble.
Perhaps you could set up some ground rules with them; don’t click on any email or text message links without first forwarding the message to you. Or, even better, without first discussing the context of the message face-to-face via video chat.
Avoiding Coronavirus Scams is Easier Than it Looks!
As you can see, there are a huge variety of scams out there right now which could really catch you out. These scammers are pretty smart, and play on your insecurities and fears more than anything else. This is what makes them often so successful.
By knowing the signs, and taking some precautionary measures, you should be able to avoid any nasty issues arising. You can also help your more vulnerable loved ones from being caught out along the way.
Have you encountered any of these scams, and have anything else to add? Or, have you had a different experience that I’ve not mentioned, and you’d really like to warn people about? Let me know in the comments below; I’m sure we could all use a bit of advice from those who have tackled these scams themselves!
