Fraud Prevention Presented by Ashley Jones

2nd February 2022

Recorded by Rick Purnell

Beware, Take Care, Don’t let the scammers get you……

We all sat up and took notice when Scambuster, Mr. Ashley Jones, South-west Regional Fraud Protection Advisor for Avon and Somerset Police startled Teignmouth Probus Club February meeting members with the news that Scammers had defrauded us of £190 billion in 4.4 million incidents last year. That is more than the entire cost of the NHS and about 40% of all crime and rising!

70% of incidents are from unsolicited telephone calls. It is a hidden crime as people are too embarrassed and only about 15% of ‘hits’ are reported.

The good news is that over 80% could be averted if people were more aware and trusted strangers less. It is usually theft of some sort by lying. The key advice was to listen to your instinct. If you have that funny feeling it isn’t right - GO with that.

DO NOT give away any personal information to callers not even confirming your name. Be defensive. If in doubt put the phone down. It’s NOT rude to hang up on a stranger. Take time over any financial matter. Always try and speak with a trusted person about unsolicited callers approaches before agreeing to anything. Always be satisfied with the identity of any callers. Check ID by use of known contact numbers (not any arrangement given by the caller). A genuine caller will never use time pressures, up-front payments, or ask for any bank details. Beware of overseas callers.

Especially online, use third party payment methods such as a credit card or Paypal, not direct cash or a current account and then only with a trusted trader.

If it sounds too good to be true – it probably is! Go with your gut feeling not emotion or greed.

If you think you have been a victim, as soon as you can call your bank or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or [email protected] . Citizens Advice services may be helpful too.

An amusing vote of thanks was proposed by a former prosecuting criminal lawyer committee member Steve Battersby.

Photograph shows Presenter - Ashley Jones (left) Club Chairman - Malcolm Adams (right) 

Our next speaker is by Brian Davidson on “New Views on WWII?”

Teignmouth Probus club meets at Richard Newton Hall Community Centre on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 10:00am

If any retired male readers in Teignmouth would like to know more about us, please visit our website:  www.teignmouth-probus-club.org.uk