Fraud
Rogue mobility aid traders targeted
Filed under: Fraud , Technology and Online, Families
Trading standards are cracking down on rogue traders who prey on vulnerable people, bullying them into buying overpriced mobility aids, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said.
Would you return a lost wallet?
Filed under: Credit Cards, Fraud
Only one in five of us would hand in, or try to trace the owner of a lost wallet, according to research from life assistance and identity protection company CPP. With approximately a million wallets lost each year, you have just a 20% chance of getting yours back. The company's findings are the result of a nationwide social experiment into the honesty of Brits. Despite three in five of us saying we would try to return the wallet to it's rightful owner, the reality was not as rosy.
Soldier sold stolen gear on Ebay - how to spot dodgy items
Filed under: Fraud , Technology and Online
A former soldier made £5,000 selling stolen army equipment in Ebay. Sergeant Allan Peet received a suspended sentence of 10 months in prison for the crime.The ex-Para sold rations, boots and rucksacks that were meant for frontline troops. They had been stolen from RAF St Athan in South Wales, 15 miles from Peet's home.
Beware the new tax scam
The taxman has issued a warning to beware of a new scam from people pretending to be calling from HMRC. It's hard to believe the taxman is on our side for a change, but it's worth being aware of the scam and knowing what you can do to protect yourself.So what's going on?
Are you a victim of the new computer virus?
Filed under: Fraud , Technology and Online
A computer virus has already hacked into the accounts of thousands of people in the UK, and stolen a fortune. The experts are warning this is one of the most powerful attacks ever seen and they haven't worked out a way to stop it.With the virus still on the loose, how do you protect yourself?
Investment conman jailed - how can you spot a scam?
Filed under: Fraud , Investing
William 'Bill' Godley a 62-year-old director, was jailed recently for three and a half years for conspiracy to defraud, after his involvement in one of Britain's largest and most intricate investment scams. The scam, through a company called Imperial Consolidated Group, ran to £150 million, and took in everyone from footballers to US star Wesley Snipes (pictured). So how can you tell if an investment scheme is legitimate or part of a scam?
Coronation Street ID fraud. Could it happen to you?
Filed under: Fraud
Everything in the world of soaps is just that little bit more sensational than real life. The recent ID fraud storyline had John Stape taking over the identity of Colin Fishwick, a teacher who had moved abroad, in order to continue teaching after gaining a criminal record. On Friday, the storyline took a turn for the even more dramatic when Colin returned to the street for a showdown.In the real world ID theft is usually much less dramatic, but every bit as stressful, and the storyline holds some secrets to just how vulnerable you can be.
Benefits cheats: still the scourge of Britain
Filed under: Fraud
There's nothing more certain to rile the passions than the latest newspaper story on benefits scroungers.Now news of the breakdancing disability claimant appearing on Simon Cowell's Britain's Got Talent and a couple claiming single parent allowances featuring on reality show Wife Swap there is a groundswell from campaigners for a clampdown on these lowlifes. I couldn't agree more.
Surge in ID theft. Are you at risk?
Filed under: Fraud
Identify theft has seen a massive increase, up 14% from this time last year. The biggest growth is in the number of victims being impersonated by fraudsters who take out debts in their name - this is up 22% in one year alone.The experts warn this is only going to increase, so are you at risk?
Rogue traders are planning a summer of scams
Filed under: Fraud , House and Home
Rogue traders (you know, like the ones off the telly) are coming after you. According to the Office of Fair Trading, they know where you like and they will be knocking on your door some time this summer.The OFT says that dodgy builders, plumbers and electricians come out in the warm weather, a bit like ants, because they can claim that the reason they are approaching you unsolicited is that things are a bit slack right now and they can do you a good price.
