People are being urged to never give out their personal details and remain vigilant of “relentless scammers” offering online “bargains”.
The soaring cost of living will continue to provide an opportunity for criminals in 2023, with people more likely to try a ‘get-rich-quick’ scheme, take a punt on a risky investment, or plump for a supposed bargain from an unknown seller.
The dangers were highlighted after a Norfolk victim lost £18,000 after being targeted by an online cryptocurrency scam.
The scam, being investigated by Action Fraud, saw the householder plagued by persistent phone calls demanding money after responding to an article on Facebook.
Jenny Ross, money editor at Which?, said: “Scammers are relentless when it comes to wanting our personal information and ultimately our money.
“Banks will never ask you for personal information, nor will they try to hurry you into making a decision. If this happens to you – whether by text, email or over the phone, step back and think about what they’re asking. If it looks too good to be true, it usually is.”
Five main scams to watch out for in 2023 — money mule requests, card theft, fake apps, spoof calls or texts and online purchase scams — have been listed by the consumer group.
