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Individuals and businesses are being warned to watch out
for cold calls and online contact from fraudsters who are offering victims
the opportunity to apply for Government grants for an advance fee.
To make the grants look legitimate fraudsters have set up
bogus companies and convincing looking websites that claim to be operating on
behalf of the UK Government.
Fraudsters cold call businesses and individuals offering
the grant and if they’re interested direct them to fill out an online
application form with their personal information.
Once the fraudsters have that information they’ll contact
back victims and congratulate them on being accepted onto the grant
programme.
Pre-paid credit cards
Applicants are then asked to provide identification and
are instructed to get a pre-paid credit card to deposit their own
contribution to the fake Government grant scheme. Fraudsters will then
contact victims on the phone or are emailed and asked for the details of
their pre-paid credit card and copies of statements to in order for them to
add the grant funds.
Of course the grant funds are never given by the
fraudsters and the money that’s been loaded by the victim onto the card is
stolen.
If you receive one of these calls, hang up immediately and
report it to us. We’ve already taken down one website fraudsters have been
using to commit this fraud and are working with Companies House to combat
this issue.
How to protect yourself:
Be wary of unsolicited callers implying that you can apply
for grants. You should never have to pay to receive a government grant, and
they definitely won’t instruct you to obtain a pre-paid credit card. The
government should have all the information they need if a genuine grant
application was submitted, therefore any requests for personal or banking
information either over the phone or online should be refused.
What to do if you’re a victim:
- If
you think your bank or personal details have been compromised or if you
believe you have been defrauded contact your bank immediately.
- Stop
all communication with the ‘agency’ but make a note of their details and
report it to Action Fraud.
- If
you have been affected by this, or any other type of fraud, report it to
Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk or
by calling 0300 123 2040.
The information contained within this alert is based on
information from gathered by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau
(NFIB). The purpose of this alert is to increase awareness of this type
of fraud. The alert is aimed at members of the public, local police forces,
businesses and governmental agencies.
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