WEEKLY FRAUD UPDATE FROM WEST MERCIA POLICE - ECONOMIC CRIME UNIT - 02/09/2025"

WEEKLY FRAUD UPDATE FROM WEST MERCIA POLICE - ECONOMIC CRIME UNIT - 02/09/2025"

CHARITY FRAUD

Fraudsters rely on the public’s generosity in giving to charities and good causes and may claim to be fundraising by impersonating a genuine charity or have set up a fake charity. These may be very often tied into topical events in the world, such as natural disasters, or the many human problems around the world caused by war and conflict.

Criminals may use various methods including emails online, door to door collections or street collections for cash, or to get people to sign up to Direct Debit payments for a Charity. Whilst many may be genuine the public are advised to always be wary, and ensure you are not giving money to fraudsters.

Simple checks you can do include:

Check the Charity name and Registration Number at https://gov.uk/checkcharity

Check the Fundraising Regulator’s online directory to make sure a charity is committed to good fundraising practice – see https://gov.uk/checkcharity

If you still have doubts, then ask for more information as any genuine charity will be happy to give you more details.

Any appeal should be clear on precisely what your donation will be used for.

Street and door to door collections:

Collectors should always wear a visible and authentic ID badge

Collection buckets should be securely sealed and undamaged; fundraising materials should always show the Charity name, registration number and a landline phone number.

If in doubt, ask them for more details

Online Charity Appeals

Never click on links in emails and attachments, but visit the Charity’s website yourself and check the Charity registration number.

Never respond to unsolicited messages asking for personal and financial details.

Beware of any advertising materials that just display a mobile telephone number.

Never respond to requests for donations through a money transfer company.

So, only give to Online Fundraising pages from known and trusted sources, contact that Charity direct if in doubt. If you still think the appeal is false, then report it to Action Fraud.

SCAM FACEBOOK EMAILS

There have been a number of fake Facebook emails circulating recently, with a Subject line “suspicious activity has been detected” ( All in lower case). These are similar to the Instagram fake emails circulating earlier in the summer.

It will have come from a very lengthy, and obviously false email address and the message tells you that a new email address has been added to your Facebook account.

It then urges you to open various links if you have not added any new email addresses.

Do not click on any of the links, nor the link to “Unsubscribe”.

Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives, or neighbours.

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If you have fallen for fraud

Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk

Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take prompt action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks.

You can also report fraudulent mobile calls by texting 7726 with the word “Call” followed by the fraudster’s phone number.

Scam calls received on WhatsApp can be blocked by opening the chat with the suspect phone number and tap on “Block”.

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number - 159 - to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks.

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Message Sent By
Michael Barbour
(Police, PSV, Economic Crime Unit – Fraud Protect’)