Energy crooks on the prowl

More than 188,000 customers nationwide have been affected by the energy scam and customers of all the leading energy companies –including British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON, npower, Scottish Power and SSE - have been affected.

How fraudsters target your cash

RESIDENTS are always advised to be alert to scammers and fraudsters as one false step could end up costing you thousands of pounds.

Criminals always try to exploit current situations like the war in Ukraine,the oil crisis or the cost of living crisis.

So we have put together a round-up of current scams so that you do not get tricked into parting with your cash.

ENERGY SCAM Energy companies have warned those using pre-payment electricity meters of doorstep scammers offering to top them up at a cut price fee.

Trading Standards said they were aware of recent reports of doorstep scammers and have urged people to not engage with cold callers who may be attempting to take advantage as the cost of living crisis.

Action Fraud say that criminals use cloned keys to top up energy credit illegally. People are offered a cut price deal on their doorstep,for example £50 of electricity meter top-up for a cash payment of just £25.

However,energy companies detect that they have not received payment for energy used,and the customer ends up paying for the energy twice – first to the fraudsters and then to their energy company.

More than 188,000 customers have been affected by this crime already across the UK and customers of British Gas,EDF Energy,E.ON,npower,Scottish Power and SSE have been targeted.

NATIONAL INSURANCE SCAM A National Insurance scam is once again circulating as fraudsters try to get their hands on Britons ’ hard-earned cash.

A number of people have reported receiving a phone call,with an automated message informing them about an issue with their National Insurance number.

They are then informed their National Insurance number is set to be terminated in a “final warning ” .

In order to resolve the issue,Britons are then prompted to press one on their receiver to obtain further details.

This is all part of an elaborate ruse which has been deployed many times by fraudsters.In some cases,Britons have been threatened with arrest or legal action against them in the message.

LOCAL DEPOT 27 SCAM People have reported receiving Royal Mail scam texts from “local depot 27” claiming that they missed a package and need to reschedule a delivery.

Anyone who receives this message should be aware that this is a phishing scam.

The scammers are hoping to steal personal information or banking details, which they can gather if you click through the link to a fake Royal Mail website and enter any information.

There is a link containing the words “local depot 27” attached to the text.

The text appears to be coming from various mobile numbers,but the name Jamie,the message,and the link,appear to be the same every time.

LLOYDS LOAN SCAM Lloyds Bank has issued an urgent warning to consumers as the number of‘ advance fee ’ loan scams has surged recent months.

Loan scams happen when a victim is asked to pay an upfront fee for a loan. They will typically reply to an online advert for a ‘fast loan ’ from a company they have never heard of before,though sometimes the fraudster will try to impersonate a genuine firm.

They will have their application approved regardless of their credit history. Before they receive the loan,they are told they must pay an upfront fee by bank transfer.

Eventually,the victim does not hear from the company again and the loan is never received.

Reports of this type of scam have increased by more than 90% already this year,with the number of cases continuing to rise sharply.The average amount lost by victims is £231.