Hot Topic of The Day - Fraud: How They Take Our Money (Source: ITV 9pm)

The British public spend about £1.6bn a day, with most people using online banking. Through spam email, data hacking and spyware, gangs steal approximately £1.3m a day. In the past year £100,000 has been stolen from Barclays customers.

Specialist police tackle this growing crime. The Dark Web is the main threat. Software encrypts users ID. One website deals in credit or debit cards, sold for $6 / £5. Anyone's credit card can be used and a whole package of details are available to buy. Just 6 months into 2015, £14m was lost, with benefit fraud increased by 90%. Police warn that thousands of pounds can be lost in an hour.

London detectives investigated a man after photos were found on a computer at work. The owner had not realised that whilst charging his phone, the photos would upload - showing card details. After 3 days detectives the investigation led to a London University. As the man was not caught using the details for fraud, he was given a police caution was given for buying details online.

Mr Posh 

 

Everyday Mr. Posh calls banks as diff customers and makes 30-40 calls/ day. He is referred to as a 'master of disguise and accents', pretending to be a woman or pensioner. He even took over an account of Asian business man.  

Claiming to be from an official agency, he collects information from customers he already called earlier that day. Their details are used to clear security questions from banks. Until his victims discover the fraud, he is free to keep taking out money. When failing to get facts right, he calls people at home for details such as their address and DOB, then calls the bank back with details. An elderly man had £8-10,000 stolen, and was eventually reimbursed by Barclay-card. He said he recognised 'Vicky' calling him back.

A recording of Mr. Posh was played over to a widower whose voice he impersonated to steal £3,500. She doesn't know how he has all her information and is frightened. Voice comparison is not enough to arrest him. 

How He Tricks

Yorkshire farmers were told by the caller that they operated from the main bank section department, 'fraud on business account' and convinced them to keep their savings in a secure account for 24 hours, after which the money would be transferred back. The couple were suspicious. After hearing the caller hang up and the dial tone sound, the husband tried to call the bank. 

Derek was convinced he was through to Lloyds bank - but the caller had not hung up, and used a recording. The couple then moved all their money into account after being told their personal account would also be compromised (current, saving, ISER). The couple never thought it wasn't genuine and were left with just £10.  It took over a year and help from their MP for Lloyds to reimburse money, at first refusing the refund as the transaction was authorised.