Thanks to the global pandemic Halloween is looking very different in 2020 with sadly no guising or parties. One thing is for certain, the scammers will still be working hard to cast their nasty spells and perform their trickery so make sure you are on your guard to avoid a Halloween hack.

5 Spooktacular scams you need to know …

Scary Spoof Calls

How does it work?

There are different variations on this scam, however a common story involves the victim taking a call from a fraudster posing as someone from your bank. Because the number is recognizable, as it’s been cloned, there is no reason to suspect it’s not the real deal. They are informed there’s been unusual activity on their account and that they need to transfer the remainder of their balance to a new safe account immediately. The convincing caller talks the victim through this process and, once the money is transferred, the phone line goes dead.

What to do?

Your bank will never ring you out of the blue to ask for your bank login details, pin number, to transfer money to a ‘safe account’ or download ‘software’. Do not give any personal information to anyone over the phone, especially someone who is being persistent.  Hang up and wait 10 minutes to call your bank independently. Refer to a number on any bank statements you have or call a number found on the official website, ideally use another phone to make the call.

Putrid Phishing messages

How does it work?

From HMRC Covid rebates to DVLA vehicle tax notices, these types of bogus text and email messages are coming in thick and fast. They include a URL link which may look very convincing but is designed to take you to a separate website which installs malware on your computer and steals your details. Also beware of messages being sent via Whatsapp. Victims have reported being sent a ‘verification code’, supposedly from a friend, however the code is actually a ploy to lock you out of your account and access your information.

What to do?

Do not click on any links that are emailed or sent to you via text messages. If in doubt call the company in question directly and find out if there is an issue. WhatsApp does not ask for verification codes so delete these messages immediately.

Rotten Romance Scams

How does it work?

A person thinks they’ve met their perfect match online, but it turns out the person isn’t real and a fake profile has been created to access their personal details. There have been victims reported across many popular online platforms such as Facebook, Tinder, Match.com and Plenty of Fish, so much so that the Police have launched a national awareness campaign. After an initial grooming period of ‘getting to know each other’, the victim may be asked for money for a variety of reasons, such as an illness, sick relative, legal fees or to travel visit their new love interest.  These requests may become pushy, threatening or make you feel guilty by not responding.

What to do?

Don’t overshare your personal details or send money to anyone you’ve just met online. Do an internet search on the person’s image and name, it’s quite possible it’s been copied from somewhere and is not real. Be wary of anyone declaring their love for you quickly as this can be a red flag. If you do get caught out and transfer money, call the police on 101 and also report the fraud to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Creepy Covid Scams

How does it work?

The Covid-19 pandemic has seen an influx of vulnerable people being targeted with everything from phony Track and Trace calls asking for £500 for a test to promises of miracle cures. Consumers have been warned to be on their guard and that the government will never ask for a payment to take a Covid test. Scams have also appeared online on fake websites, in phishing text messages and emails as well as door-to-door.

What to do?

Beware of overinflated prices on high demand items such as masks or hand gel. Any products promising cures or treatments for the corona virus are false. There is currently no cure or vaccination for Covid-19 and these products could be dangerous as they are unregulated. Do not be fooled by callers over the phone or in person who pose as government officials or NHS staff, a legitimate person will never ask for payment over the phone or ask you to share your personal details.

Ghoulish Gimmicks

How does it work?

It’s easy to get caught up in harmless fun, sharing, liking and completing surveys and quizzes on social media. Some of these gimmicks can mask a dark side as they are used to access your personal details, or to get you to share a fake page to illegally collect data. Be wary of impersonators masquerading as big brands. A recent Facebook scam posing as an official Center Parks was liked and shared by 17K people within hours, all fooled by a bogus holiday competition. Tesco and other supermarkets have also been targeted, with fraudsters setting up fake social media profiles offering free shopping vouchers and gift cards.

What to do?

If something is free there’s normally a catch. Don’t give permission to access your personal information when you complete social media quizzes or surveys. By doing so you could be giving away your activity history, lists of friends and information on your device like IP address. Double check the page details against the legitimate website. Although it may look legitimate, a spelling error or slight difference can reveal a copycat page. Visit the official page and check the social media links advertised on the site to ensure they’re the real deal.

Have fun this Halloween and stay safe! Be sure to check out all our great tips on BogusBuster .