Posted: Mon 17th Jul 2023

Warning after rise of ‘WhatsApp family impersonation scams’

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales
This article is old - Published: Monday, Jul 17th, 2023

People are being urged to remain vigilant following a rise in the number of victims being targeted by ‘WhatsApp family impersonation scams’. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Fraudsters take advantage of loved ones by getting in touch out of the blue via the messaging platform – from a number you don’t recognise – claiming to be a family or friend. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Typically the scammers will claim that they have lost their phone or it has been damaged, before asking for money. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

These messages are not real and are an attempt by the fraudsters to access your personal details and bank account. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

North Wales Police say there has been a rise in these sorts of scam messages being reported. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Tips to protect yourself: ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

  • If you are in any doubt call your family member or friend on the number you already have for them.
  • Ask them a question only your family member or friend will know. Take care that this information isn’t freely available on any of your Social Media platforms for example your dog’s name.
  • Do not let the fraudsters pressure you – think logically.

How to report a scam message: ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

If the fraudsters are using WhatsApp, press and hold on the message bubble, select ‘Report’ and then follow the instructions. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

If you are unfortunate enough to have paid money, please contact your bank and report to the matter to North Wales Police on 101 ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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