Frauds

Conmen are using artificial intelligence (AI) to dupe people into sending them money online, fraud victims have told MPs.

On Wednesday, the Home Affairs Committee heard claims that social media companies are not doing enough to tackle fraudsters utilising the latest AI technology.

Privacy campaigners have warned that the UK government is slipping through new laws with “minimal debate” as it looks to crack down on benefit fraud by accessing people’s bank data more regularly.

The government will soon be able to check the bank accounts of those claiming out-of-work benefits every month, under new plans to torch out rising numbers of fraudulent claimants.

Identity fraud has risen 22% already this year, when compared with 2022, and is expected to peak over the Christmas period.

Criminals are expected to target victims over the festive period, and last November the rate for credit card fraud was 43% higher than the normal monthly figures, according to data from Experian.

Credit card fraud is on the rise, with Experian (OTC:EXPGF) documenting a 22% increase in detected fraudulent applications from January through September of this year compared to the same period last year. Eduardo Castro from Experian highlighted the significant financial and emotional impact of identity theft, especially "third party" incidents, and emphasized the importance of consumer alertness ahead of an expected spike in fraud this Christmas season.

https://uk.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/experian-reports-22-rise-in-credit-card-fraud-detections-93CH-3243824

Samuel Bryant and Gary Taylor were both been put behind bars for their part in the fraud which sapped roughly £200,000 from victims. They were sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court yesterday.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/two-men-jailed-portsmouth-sophisticated-105803337.html/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly90LmNvLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALnLlLItj9mdH_ERkIHfh6uiQexBByGL60WW3EZYapToeW3E_fLBYXWt5Jsp7AzzcAOdYfQWAHCAsc_fb3hSc-h38Fsvcusxd3rVxFLh0yygnDfDCiKlLU0VhuFlDCO8Oz1sgqzZdXWYqlV2D9Blz4NmWnYajrcKAghlyFdbThAP

A woman fell victim to fraudsters in a £13,000 train station QR code scam.

Fraudsters are thought to have covered a genuine code with one of their own in Thornaby Station's car park.

Elderly and vulnerable people in Herefordshire are being targeted by fraudsters claiming to be from various police forces from around the country.

The criminals have scammed some of the victims into handing over or transferring money, or sharing PIN information.

West Mercia Police is asking everyone to pass on information about bogus callers to relatives, friends and neighbours who may be at risk to such scams.

https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/23928584.police-warning-courier-fraud-herefordshire/

Two individuals have been found guilty of making £3mn worth of fraudulent mortgage applications, following a prosecution brought by the Financial Conduct Authority.

https://www.ftadviser.com/regulation/2023/11/15/two-guilty-of-arranging-3mn-of-fraudulent-mortgage-applications/

A SCAM netted £225,000 in insurance payuts by fraudulently claiming high-value classic cars had been stolen.

The fraud took place from 2009 to 2017 and involved 21 claims for ‘stolen’ classics for between £10,000 and £25,000

Jennifer Stewart, 51, today pleaded guilty to fraudulently claiming over £45,000 of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

She had claimed she was too ill to work, telling her benefits assessor she could not cope with public places or people, that she was unable to leave her house due to severe depression and anxiety, and that her son had to take her out and do her shopping.