More than seven in ten adults have been targeted by scams in the last 12 months – being hit by an average of three a week, research has found. A study, of 2,000 adults, found 13 percent have lost money to fraud – with seven percent of those having lost as much as £5,000.
It emerged the scams most prevalent this year were phishing (37 percent) – where false emails and calls are made from what seems to be a legitimate and trusted organisation – and cons where someone pretends to be from a company you use, such as an energy provider, and tells you there is a problem with the service (21 percent).
More than one in ten (13 percent) have also been targeted by refund scams, when criminals pose as businesses offering you a refund and requesting bank details.
And 61 percent see more digital scams (online, social media, or via messaging platforms such as WhatsApp) than real-life scams (e.g. people coming to the door and asking for money).
The research was commissioned by NatWest, to highlight the rapid evolution of the methods scammers use to con people out of their cash.
Stuart Skinner, fraud expert from the bank, said: “We continue to see scams on the rise, especially through digital and social media channels.
“With the increase in new digital tactics used by fraudsters, it’s becoming increasingly harder for consumers to spot, avoid, and track.
“Messaging platforms, including WhatsApp and social media sites, are providing more channels for scammers to operate and reach people through, meaning it can be hard for people to keep up with what they should be looking out for next.”
With digital scams on the rise, 16 percent know someone who has refused to shop online because they are concerned about being targeted, while one in ten know someone who won’t book their holiday online to avoid being scammed.
But while 63 percent are apprehensive about their financial online safety, 42 percent don’t think they will fall victim to fraudulent activity. However, 61 percent are concerned about their vulnerable relatives becoming a target.
Furthermore, eight in ten of those polled are concerned that impersonation fraud – when criminals pretend to be friends, family, or trusted organisations – may become harder to detect in the next five years, because of the rise in AI.
And NatWest data has revealed this fraud already makes up 40 percent of scams amongst the over-55s.
Meanwhile, 18 percent of those surveyed have replied to a message from an impersonator in the past, initially believing it to be a friend or family member.
As a result, 81 percent believe more should be done to stop scams at their source, and 83 percent want to become more vigilant at recognising impersonator fraud themselves.
Stuart Skinner, for NatWest, which offers help and advice about fraud and scams, said: “Talking about fraud with your family and friends is a good way to share information across generations, and keep up to date with latest guidance.
“This is particularly important following the increase in “friends and family” scams, where fraudsters impersonate a family member and ask for cash or information – which our research has revealed is the fourth most common type of scam that Brits say they have been targeted with this year.
“Fraudsters are continuing to develop new and more modern ways of trying to trick people out of their money, and we want to support everyone in what to watch out for.
“We’d always encourage our customers to get in touch if they have any concern they’re being targeted by a scam.”
