Work at the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit continues to pursue fraudsters and bring them to justice, but they are also determined to make sure the public feel confident and capable of recognising scams and reporting them before becoming a victim.
As part of this we’re joining in to warn of a new scam surfacing on apps and sites like Vinted after nine North East victims have come forward – with a total loss of £2,600 so far.
The scam involves victims being contacted by fake ‘Vinted’ chatbots and advised to open a new Revolut account after a failed transaction, and place funds into this new account, which is then stolen.
🚫 Our advice is to stop and take time to assess any situation that involves transferring money or giving personal information to anyone. No genuine site or agency will pressure you to make a decision or transfer money.
If you have concerns or doubts, close the site or app and open it again from a trusted source to ensure you’re speaking to a legitimate person.
While the NEROCU also work with banks and community groups to educate staff and the public around spotting the signs and how to report it, they also need victims to report as soon as they can so police and partners like the NEBRC can work together to dismantle frauds.
For further guidance on protecting you and your business from hackers, contact [email protected]. You can also stay up to date with the ever-changing digital landscape and security threats, by signing up for our free core membership.
The NEBRC is a Police led non-profit organisation that seeks to educate, inform, and support businesses across the UK on how to protect their business online through good cyber security practices.
If you live in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, report it at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, victims of fraud and cybercrime should report to Police Scotland on 101.