The ECRC works closely with local policing to ensure that our members benefit from the free tools and services offered by local policing.
One valuable tool is the Kent Fraud Email Alert System (K'FAs), created by Stephen Kelly, the Fraud Prevent and Protect Officer for Kent Police. This system provides weekly alerts to inform the public and businesses about current scams and how to best protect themselves.
The K'FAs reach hundreds and thousands, not just in Kent but in other areas up and down the country as we are all affected by similar offences. The ECRC publishes Stephen Kelly's weekly K'FAs for our members so you can stay informed and learn about the latest threats targeting businesses and the general public. For further information about fraud, visit Advice About Fraud | Kent Police.
Courier Fraud - Tunbridge Wells
These types of offences are still being reported daily across Kent, in particular the Tunbridge Wells area, so please remain vigilant.
The criminals are employing various methods from posing as Police Officers from multiple Kent Police Stations stating that they have arrested someone in possession of the victim’s bank card to requesting financial information or asking victims to withdraw cash for a courier to collect as evidence.
If you get any calls like this, STOP, it is a scam.
The Police will NEVER ask you for financial details on the phone or request to collect your card or cash or gold as part of an investigation.
Remember the ABC of Scam Awareness and Never Assume or Believe a call is genuine and always Confirm.
If you get an expected call from someone claiming to be Police or any other organisation, then take their details and end the call. Then call back using a different phone if available. If another phone is not available, then wait 5 minutes and ring a family member or friend to ensure the line has been disconnected and then ring 101. Never call a number they have supplied and never ring 999 whilst still on the call with them. You must always disconnect the call first before ringing 101.
If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
For further information about Fraud, visit our website at Advice About Fraud | Kent Police.
You will also find valuable information from the Home Office at Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams.
Variation of Rogue Trader Scam
How the scam works:
You employ a trader to fit a new kitchen or bathroom and for the first few days they will turn up as promised, clearing the old cupboards, appliances etc. and fit part of what you have paid for. They will then start to turn up for the odd couple of hours over the course of a week or two, offering various excuses as to why they have been not able to attend, including sickness in the family, problems with vehicles, or problems with items needed to complete the job that have not arrived or have arrived but are damaged etc.
They will keep this going for several months, so that in the end, you employ another trader to complete the job, and and hence they avoid having to complete the work for which you have paid.
They will claim that they were always going to complete the work, and there was no intention to defraud you and thus claim it is a civil dispute.
To get advice on scams or to report, please contact Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133.
If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
For further information about Fraud, visit our website at Advice About Fraud | Kent Police.
You will also find valuable information from the Home Office at Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams.
Bank Branch Closure Scam
With bank branches closing around the county, a victim was recently contacted by criminals impersonating their Bank. They informed them that they needed to withdraw all their money from their account and transfer it to a new account that had been opened for them, as their old local branch was closing in the next couple of months. Fortunately, the intended victim was prevented from losing their money by branch staff in the Bank.
Your bank will never request that you transfer your money to a new account that they have set for you.
If you get an expected call from someone claiming to be from your Bank, then take their details and end the call. Then call back using a different phone if available. If another phone is not available, then wait 5 minutes and ring a family member or friend to ensure the line has been disconnected and then ring 159.
If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
For further information about Fraud, visit our website at Advice About Fraud | Kent Police
You will also find valuable information from the Home Office at Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams.
Stop! Think Fraud - National Fraud Campaign.
Originally launched in February 2024, Stop! Think Fraud is a national campaign that aims to give people the tools and information needed to stay ahead of scams and protect themselves against criminals.
A new burst of activity was launched on 3 March, please visit gov.uk/stopthinkfraud for advice and guidance.
if you think that you may have been a victim of a scam, then contact your Bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
Additionally, for more information about Fraud, visit our website at Advice About fraud | Kent Police.
Cryptocurrency Scam
Kent residents are being warned to be vigilant against cryptocurrency fraud attempts following reports from nine victims.
The victims had a combined loss of over £1 million after their personal information was shared online following a data leak.
Personal details were taken from the data leak and used to generate fake Action Fraud reports.
Fake calls
Once these reports were created the victims were then contacted by someone claiming to be a police officer reassuring them that an investigation had been launched. The officer then told them to expect a call from the crypto wallet host. A second call was then received from someone claiming to be a security officer asking the victim for their seed phrase which is a 12 or 24-word phrase which allows users to control a cryptocurrency wallet.
With that information the fraudsters were able to rebuild the wallet, steal the funds and transfer them so that they cannot be recovered.
Keep Alert
Detective Sergeant Darryll Paulson said:
'I urge anyone contacted by someone claiming to be from a crypto host, or from the police, not to give out any personal details. 'Scammers are becoming increasingly more calculating in their methods to defraud their victims into losing a substantial amount of money and will often create urgency in the situation, such as telling them they need to act now to stop their funds from being stolen. 'Don't be embarrassed about reporting a scam, it only takes a second to be distracted and fall victim.'
If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
For further information about Fraud, visit our website at Advice About Fraud | Kent Police.
You will also find valuable information from the Home Office at Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams.
How can the ECRC support?
By joining the ECRC as a free member, your organisation will be supported in making the small changes that make the biggest difference when it comes to cyber resilience. Becoming a free member means you will receive the latest cyber resilience guidance via email, which will drip feed you ways in which you can improve your cyber resilience without costing any money.
The ECRC website also contains several links to helpful National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) resources, which are all free, up-to-date, and easy to use. Tools such as Exercise in a Box and the NCSC Cyber Action Plan are particularly useful in terms of identifying areas where you could improve your cybersecurity. They also have many informative guides that are sector specific, which will give you useful and detailed information.
If you would like more information about how the ECRC can help your organisation specifically, please book a chat with us today!
Reporting a live cyber-attack 24/7:
If you are a business, charity or other organisation which is currently suffering a live cyber-attack (in progress) please call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 immediately. This service is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Reporting a cyber-attack which is not ongoing:
Please report online to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. You can report cybercrime online at any time using the online reporting tool, which will guide you through simple questions to identify what has happened. Action Fraud advisors can also provide the help, support, and advice you need.
Alternatively, you can call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (textphone 0300 123 2050)
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