GMB: Adam Rickitt discusses being scammed out of £49,500
Criminals are raking in more money than ever – but banks are failing to properly help victims, claim campaigners. The money lost to scams has risen by more than £160million a year, according to banking industry data.
Fraudsters tricked people out of £583million last year, up 39 per cent from £420million in 2020. And 195,996 savers reported falling victim, up by 27 per cent. Almost every category of bank transfer fraud rose last year.
Other categories include purchase scams, where people are conned to buy fake goods, with £64million stolen – up 25 per cent – and charging upfront for nonexistent goods which saw £321million stolen – a 45 per cent rise.
But official figures show that banks are not refunding most scams. An industry refund scheme was set up in 2019 but banks only refunded victims 46 per cent of their stolen money last year. Under the refund code, banks and building societies are meant to pay out unless victims have been negligent with their money.
Fraudsters tricked people out of £583million last year (Image: GETTY)
Those tricked into sending money to a scammer are not only “feeling abandoned at a time of crisis” but banks are also allowing them to be exposed to crime, is it claimed.
This is why the Daily Express is today launching a crusade to secure more support for fraud victims and ensure all of those affected get a refund in good time.
We are calling for banks to make fraud victims a priority, cut…
