31/05/2023
Public Urged To 'Be On Their Guard Against Fraudsters'
Causeway Coast and Glens PSNI have issued an appeal to the public to be "on their guard against fraudsters" and look out for the signs of how to spot and stop possible online scams.
The appeal comes as police continue to receive reports of scams and attempted scams across Northern Ireland.
These have included calls to police in relation to online ticket fraud, investment fraud and scammers impersonating officials from HMRC, bank/financial institutions and most recently online tuition businesses.
The PSNI said that they know from reports made to us, that some people who are contacted by fraudsters are able to spot the scam and stop it, and do not experience any financial loss. However, some of these fraudsters are so convincing and there are victims who are unfortunately conned.
Scammers will stop at nothing in an attempt to dupe people, whether it's on the phone, via email or, through the more sophisticated ploys where people become victims of investment scams, the PSNI said.
The police warning states: "Police cannot stress enough just how important it is to be scam aware and to know how easy it is to fall victim to a scam if you don't spot the early warning signs.
"Our message is simple – never disclose your personal or banking details to anyone over the phone or online, no matter how convincing they come across.
"The best way to stop this scam is to apply these five important rules;
1) Never click on links in text messages from someone you do not know
2) Never call or text suspicious numbers back
3) Never ever transfer money to someone you do not know or have not met
4) Always delete texts requesting personal or financial information or bank account details
5) Always forward scam texts to 7726 – the free scam text reporting service
"If you have been a victim of a scam, report it to police online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or call on 101, to your bank immediately, online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
Information and advice can also be found via www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni or by the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni."
The appeal comes as police continue to receive reports of scams and attempted scams across Northern Ireland.
These have included calls to police in relation to online ticket fraud, investment fraud and scammers impersonating officials from HMRC, bank/financial institutions and most recently online tuition businesses.
The PSNI said that they know from reports made to us, that some people who are contacted by fraudsters are able to spot the scam and stop it, and do not experience any financial loss. However, some of these fraudsters are so convincing and there are victims who are unfortunately conned.
Scammers will stop at nothing in an attempt to dupe people, whether it's on the phone, via email or, through the more sophisticated ploys where people become victims of investment scams, the PSNI said.
The police warning states: "Police cannot stress enough just how important it is to be scam aware and to know how easy it is to fall victim to a scam if you don't spot the early warning signs.
"Our message is simple – never disclose your personal or banking details to anyone over the phone or online, no matter how convincing they come across.
"The best way to stop this scam is to apply these five important rules;
1) Never click on links in text messages from someone you do not know
2) Never call or text suspicious numbers back
3) Never ever transfer money to someone you do not know or have not met
4) Always delete texts requesting personal or financial information or bank account details
5) Always forward scam texts to 7726 – the free scam text reporting service
"If you have been a victim of a scam, report it to police online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or call on 101, to your bank immediately, online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
Information and advice can also be found via www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni or by the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 November 2022
Warning Issued Over Parcel Delivery Scams
The Consumer Council has issued a warning to NI shoppers of parcel delivery scams during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the upcoming Christmas shopping period. Michael Legg, our Head of Postal Services said: "Black Friday and Cyber Monday are great opportunities to get a good deal.
Warning Issued Over Parcel Delivery Scams
The Consumer Council has issued a warning to NI shoppers of parcel delivery scams during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the upcoming Christmas shopping period. Michael Legg, our Head of Postal Services said: "Black Friday and Cyber Monday are great opportunities to get a good deal.
12 October 2018
PSNI Responds To Threat On Catholic Police Officers
The PSNI has branded a dissident republican group "drug dealers," in response to threats that Catholic police officers will "never be safe". It was revealed earlier this week, amid a police recruitment campaign, that officers are not sent to work in their home communities due to the threat from dissident republican terrorists.
PSNI Responds To Threat On Catholic Police Officers
The PSNI has branded a dissident republican group "drug dealers," in response to threats that Catholic police officers will "never be safe". It was revealed earlier this week, amid a police recruitment campaign, that officers are not sent to work in their home communities due to the threat from dissident republican terrorists.
13 June 2016
NI Businesses Lose Over £2m Following Online Crime
Firms in Northern Ireland lost over £2 million following online crime last year, according to new figures. Figures from Get Safe Online and Action Fraud show 247 cases were reported with total losses amounting to £2,152,343 between March 2015 and March 2016. However, police believe the overall losses could be higher.
NI Businesses Lose Over £2m Following Online Crime
Firms in Northern Ireland lost over £2 million following online crime last year, according to new figures. Figures from Get Safe Online and Action Fraud show 247 cases were reported with total losses amounting to £2,152,343 between March 2015 and March 2016. However, police believe the overall losses could be higher.
04 November 2021
Renewed Warning Over Text And WhatsApp Scams
The PSNI have renewed an appeal for people to be "on their guard" against a recent wave of scams. According to police, the scams involve a text or WhatsApp message claiming to be from a family member, and asking for "help" with a banking problem.
Renewed Warning Over Text And WhatsApp Scams
The PSNI have renewed an appeal for people to be "on their guard" against a recent wave of scams. According to police, the scams involve a text or WhatsApp message claiming to be from a family member, and asking for "help" with a banking problem.
09 March 2022
New Play Depicts Dangers On Online Scams
The PSNI have endorsed a powerful short play depicting just how easy it is to fall victim to scammers.
New Play Depicts Dangers On Online Scams
The PSNI have endorsed a powerful short play depicting just how easy it is to fall victim to scammers.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.