Latest Scams
Discover which scams are common right now, how they work and the steps to stay safe.
Money Mule Scams
Friendly Muler
How does it work?
You may be contacted by a friend, family member or someone random seeking your “help” to receive a payment on behalf of them.
Once the payment’s been received, they’ll ask to have it transferred or withdrawn in cash.
How to avoid this scam
If someone contacts you asking for your “help” on making and / or receiving a payment, do not give them account access or facilitate any payments.
Remember that only you should have access to your bank account(s). Not even family members should have access to your financial accounts.
Job Opportunity
How does it work?
You may be contacted with what seems to be a legitimate job opportunity that solely requires you to give bank account account access.
This typically pertains to “holding” crypto profits but can range to anything that pursuades you.
How to avoid this scam
If contacted with what seems to be a legitimate job opportunity, take a step back and think about what business asks for bank account access.
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Visit Take Five for more information.
Learn more about muling
We’ll guide you on how to tell if it’s a genuine request for help, or if the job opportunity is genuine, and the steps to take to stay safe.
If you've been targeted
Contact us right away to report a scam.
We can then guide you on what to do next to your finances safe from fraud.
Chargeback Scams
Crypto P2P
How does it work?
Some Crypto Exchanges don’t offer an option to sell crypto other than P2P selling (e.g. Binance).
In such sales, buyers using P2P have been sending payments to sellers’ accounts, receiving the crypto and then filing a chargeback with their bank to gain double the money they send.
How to avoid this scam
Send the crypto you’re selling to a wallet you hold at an exchange that allows you to sell your crypto directly for Fiat Currency. Then withdraw it to your bank account, if you’d like to do so.
Online Marketplace
How does it work?
Selling products and / or services online comes with risks from the customers you do business with.
In some cases, a customer may purchase a product and / or service, receive it, and then file a fraud claim with their bank to benefit from both their purchase and a refund for the same.
How to avoid this scam
Ensure that you do not accept bank transfer for a sale on an Online Marketplace (e.g. eBay) and use the payment facilities they offer for protection.
Marketplaces typically offer facilitates for payments for a reason, so make use of them.
Learn more about chargeback scams
We’ll guide you on how to safely sell products and / or services online, and
If you've been targeted
Contact us right away to report a scam.
We can then guide you on what to do next to your finances safe from fraud.
Useful links
You can get straight forward, impartial advice on how to avoid scams from Take Five.
You can report a crime or get general advice from Action Fraud.
They offer advice on how to keep yourself and your devices safe from fraud.
UK Finance is there to support customers and to help make sure it’s safe to bank.
This is a government site that gives advice on how to stay safe online.
This is part of the FCA site. You can use it to check on an investment or pension deals to help you avoid scams.
ADVICIFAS does not control the content of third party websites linked to on this page.
