Mr Money on self-isolating from coronavirus fraudsters looking to rinse worried Brit pensioners of their savings – The Sun

The coronavirus crisis has brought with it fresh scams designed to exploit people's fear of the illness, and OAPs are prime targets.

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Struggling families who have seen their income drop are also at risk.

Here we look at some of the key con tricks to watch for.

BOGUS BROADBAND CALLS

“BT” scams, which typically target the elderly and vulnerable, are expected to surge as broadband networks struggle to cope with increased demand.

Fraudsters posing as internet providers such as BT call you to say there’s a problem with your internet and ask you to give them remote access to your PC in order to fix it.

They may then claim you are due a refund, and ask for your bank details or ask you to log into your online banking, so they can then arrange transfers of cash from your account to theirs.

Ashley Hart, head of fraud at TSB, says the fact that home broadband is likely to slow down slightly over the next few weeks as more people work from home is a gift to scammers — who can use it as a pretence to call victims while posing as BT or another broadband provider.

He says: “When people see the internet lagging they are more likely to fall for a call out of the blue saying, ‘I am from BT, you have had a speed problem and I can fix it for you if you allow me to access your PC remotely’.

It’s often the elderly who are victims of this kind of fraud, and they could be more vulnerable during the next few months as they self-isolate and are cut off from friends and family.

“Any threat to their broadband and phone connection, which will be their lifeline during this time, could cause panic that the scammers will seek to exploit.

“I would advise them just to hang up if they get any calls like this, and ring their provider directly if they have any concerns.”

MALICIOUS MAIL

Scammers are sending out thousands of so-called “phishing” emails and texts promising help for those affected by the crisis — but they are really just attempting to obtain financial information.

Some do seem as if they are from official government site gov.uk — promising you tax refunds of up to £124 or updated safety advice if you click on a link.

Once you have clicked, your computer is then attacked by a bug that can access your stored information and passwords.

Another bogus email promising a tax refund directs victims to a fake HMRC website, which asks victims for personal details, including their name, address, phone number, mother’s maiden name and bank card number.

This will give scammers enough information to access a victim’s bank account or buy a financial product in their name.

Other messages claim taxpayers are due “travel levies”, owing to the grounding of flights, or refunds on a specific airfare — in the hope the messages reach people who have had travel plans cancelled.

A different scam is emailing potential victims while purporting to be from health authorities, and offering the recipient a list of local people infected with coronavirus, in exchange for Bitcoin payments

Michael Reitblat, of fraud prevention firm Forter, says: “Social- engineering scams, such as ­phishing attacks, most often target an older demographic.

“These individuals are typically less aware of security concerns and are also less likely to monitor the senders of emails.”

SHAM SITES

Crooks have been registering thousands of potentially malicious websites using the terms Covid-19 or coronavirus, which are being used to either pilfer sensitive details from victims or infect their computers with malware.

Users are advised to avoid any sites with a corona term in the domain name.

Instead, stick to government and other reputable news websites for the latest news and advice on the outbreak.

In America, there have also been reports of fake fundraisers, promoted on social media, for real or bogus virus victims or charities — of a sort that could also catch out Brits.

If you donate online, check for red flags, such as grammar and spelling errors, images taken from news stories or social media, unknown charities or  sales tactics asking for big donations.

SELLING SWINDLES

Fraudsters have already conned thousands of pounds out of people who attempted to buy protective face masks amid coronavirus fears.

The UK’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau says ten victims had attempted to purchase protective face masks from fake sellers.

One lost more than £15,000, after the masks were never delivered.

TSB bank also reports sham “coranavirus home-testing kits” for sale for £24.99.

• SMISHING – where fraudsters “spoof” text messages to look like they have originated from someone they haven’t, eg the Government,   World Health Organisation  or your local doctors’ surgery. Don’t click on any links provided in text messages, and make  sure you verify any  phone numbers given before calling.
• PHISHING – emails or  texts offering Covid-19  tax rebates  from your travel bookings, safety advice and donation requests. These want you to click on dodgy links to sites that will infect your computer, or get you to submit sensitive personal and financial information. Never open attachments.
• VISHING – unsolicited phone calls, for example claiming to be from BT and saying your slow internet can  be fixed. Don’t be afraid to put the phone down if you’re not sure. Call the organisation back on the number listed on its website –  or if it’s your bank,  use the number on the back  of your card.
• Source: TSB

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