Fraud Alert

Internet, Advertising, Auction, Ticketing and On Line Fraud.

Use of the Internet and email is something that is taken for granted these days. Lured into a false sense of security, users often forget that they are not dealing face to face with the other party – they believe what they see is true without reservation or caution

  • Always question who you are dealing with and remain objective.

Most Internet users are aware of bogus emails. These are requests to supply security information and attempt to get bank and other personal data.

  • Never open or reply to an email that may be bogus.
  • Use options to block ‘spam’ emails attachments and pictures.

Links in emails often take the user to a bogus web site. The user may then be passed to a genuine site having entered their personal information on the bogus site.

  • Always check the web address and don’t rely on links within emails.
  • If you suspect that an email is bogus, never open a link within it as this may download a virus.

Targeted attacks are made against individual personal computers. There are many things that can be done to protect the computer.

  • Use a full security program suite, firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware, etc.
  • Keep your software up to date using automatic updates.
  • Use a housekeeping suite to clean your system.
  • Backup your systems regularly, consider using an on-line instant backup facility.
  • Secure your Wireless network from unwanted users.

There are many sources of advice. Get Safe On Line is an impartial site.

Buying on Line.

When buying on line, there are several types of web site which you may deal with.

  • Advertising sites introduce a buyer to a seller.
  • Auction Sites require the sellers and buyers to set up a profile.
  • Corporate sites are operated by companies that may also have retails outlets.

The level of protection for consumers varies from site to site.

  • Advertising and Auction sites introduce buyers and sellers, they do not supply the goods.
  • Feedback is often exaggerated and may be manipulated in order to commit fraud.
  • Fraudulent adverts and web sites can be very sophisticated, make checks using internet searches.

Principal Risks

Whilst the vast majority of persons buying and selling on line are honest and will deliver, or pay, for goods as they should, both parties should take steps to ensure that they are happy with each other and the goods being supplied. The following are examples of the most common fraudulent adverts.

Fraudulent adverts and websites can be very sophisticated, make checks before you send the money.

What you see advertised may be a genuine article - ticket, car, flat, villa.

  • A genuine advert may have been copied and actually be for sale. The genuine seller may be impersonated by the fraudster.
  • Establishing the ticket is genuine may be difficult, and may be rejected at the turnstile.
  • Olympic Tickets may only be sold by Authorised web sites
  • The car may pass any vehicle status checks.
  • The Flat or villa may be there - but when you arrive, it’s somebody else’s.
  • Corporate sites may have been copied, cloned, re-directed or completely fake.

Check and Challenge the Information

  • Does everything make sense?
  • How long has the site been in existence.
  • Use internet searches to check the company, or tickets. Add the Word ‘Scam’ or Fraud’ to the search criteria may find complaints about bogus adverts.

‘Phishing’ and other e-Mails asking for personal details

  • Never reply to these emails - you will be put on a ‘suckers’ list.
  • If you have received a ‘phishing’ email, text, letter or scam communication by any other method and have not lost money or clicked on any website links contained in the message, you can report this online to Action Fraud at Report Attempted Scams or Viruses

You may also wish to report these emails to

Useful Links

Fraud Alert

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