A new campaign warns that lonely individuals are more susceptible to scams during the holiday season. The Take Five to Stop Fraud initiative urges communities to support vulnerable individuals and highlights the dangers of impersonation and romance scams.
Loneliness could put people at heightened risk of being scammed over Christmas , an anti-fraud initiative is warning. Research for the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign indicated that more than half (58%) of people feel lonely at least sometimes. The campaign is urging communities to look out for vulnerable friends, neighbours or family members who may be at risk.
People who feel isolated can become targets for fraudsters, who attempt to befriend and manipulate them into passing on personal and financial information. Impersonation and romance scams are particularly harmful methods of defrauding people, with UK Finance data showing that over £65 million was recorded as lost to these scam types in the first half of 2024. These frauds involve criminals researching their target and using social engineering tactics to build trust, often posing as a romantic interest, a concerned friend or family member or a trusted organisation. Over half (53%) of people surveyed said they are at least somewhat trusting of complete strangers or people they do not know, a trait that scammers will exploit to gain access to personal and financial information. Just under a quarter (24%) of people surveyed said they do not have someone in their life who they would talk to if they thought someone was trying to scam them. And 23% of people said they have clicked a link, provided personal information or made a payment in response to an unexpected request from someone who later turned out not to be who they claimed to be. The Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign is urging people to stop and think whenever they are asked money or financial information. 💕 Met someone new online who’s asking for money? Stop and think—it might protect both your heart and money. ⚠️Criminals are experts at impersonating people. They spend hours researching, especially when committing romance frau
Loneliness Scams Christmas Fraud Impersonation Romance Scams
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