SPAM

[Peddling]

Morning all. I am being bombarded with Santander spam. I recall that Bob recommended a fraud line. Can't find the post - could someone repeat it please.

Thanks.

[Finvola]

Peddling can't find the number in posts but the Santander reporting line I have is 0800 9 123 123 and is Freefone.

[Peddling in reply to Finvola]

Thanks Fin, maybe Bob will pick up. It was a link to report all financial scams. I'll have a look on google and phone the number you have given me.

[BobD Volunteer]

Sorry been busy getting covered in stinging nettles whilst trying to find my vegetable plot! Action Fraud is the website. A Police facility.

B

[PeterWh]

First priority is to phone the bank, building society or other institution(s) that the email is purported to come from. Then action fraud.

[Peddling]

Thanks all, have done just that. Daft thing is I don't even bank with Santander.

[RichMert in reply to Peddling]

Alert Santander. You do not say whether you use a web based email program or computer based application. Look for the option to block the sender and / or the domain. DO NOT reply to any of the emails and best option is to ignore them as they will eventually get caught or give up. If you let me know which program you use to view your email, I can advise you.

[PeterWh in reply to Peddling]

That does not matter because these fraudsters farm emails from anywhere and everywhere they can. On the dark web I am told they can buy 1,000 for less than 20p.

The best bet is to delete and ignore since usually fraudsters never use the same domain or email address even if they use the same emailing list to resend that or other emails. You could inadvertently send a message back.

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Peddling

Annoying isn't it, but it's big business nowadays for Big Crime, and I mean organised gangs doing this right across the world. The numbers are secret but the banks are losing billions a year through this.

Some tips if I may

If you don't bank with with someone you get an email from, ideally delete without even opening.

Get a good anti-virus on your mailbox, and if you do get spam, right click and "add to junk mail"

Never ever, open an attachment from anyone you do not know.

I have a number of credit cards but only one I ever use on the internet, which means I can keep careful track on it, and can spot suspicious activity early.

If for any reason you think your bank account or card details may have got into the wrong hands, then ring your bank immediately, fraud department, the quicker the better.

Lastly if you are unfortunate enought to be scammed, remember that the bank MUST repay you, unless you have released both your card and PIN number to someone. And the onus of proof here is the bank's not you, I know they try it on with "you must have been careless" but hold very firm, and go straight to the ombudsman at the first hint they are trying to blame you.

Be well

Ian

[PeterWh]

Specifically NEVER open a ZIP file unless the sender has personally told you on the phone that they are sending a zip file. A zip file is a common way of sending a virus or tracking program or a program that takes over your PC or tablet.

Most companies send out copies of files (eg invoices) as PDF attachments.

Re credit cards. Some banks send out balances, etc by text when you set up as part of a main bank account. If yours has that facility then use that credit card ONLY for Internet related tranactions and then that way it is easier to see if there are fraudulent tranactions. A few of years ago I bought some theatre tickets just before midnight. By 9am the next morning I had the credit card company's fraud deptartment on the phone about 3 subsequent tranactions which were all fraudulent. Refunded ok and new credit card issued. The theatre's ticket tranactions supplier had been hacked into and details stolen.

[Peddling]

Golly, some great advice there. I do or rather did use only one card for Internet purchases, but must admit to getting rather sloppy about it of late. I am with talk talk and think the hackers must have got to me through them. Do you think I might be better off changing provider? Thinking about deleting my email address also and setting up a new account. It's all a bit bothersome though and I really wish I knew more and understood more about this fiendish technology.

Many thanks to all for the helpful responses. Please Keep em coming if you think of anything else.

[PeterWh in reply to Peddling]

I would suggest setting up a couple of new email accounts - one for personal use and one for "shopping" and "other services" use. I also set up one that I just use for health (HealthUnlocked, patient plus news, surgery news, AFA news, etc). That way the sorting is done for me and an important email is not so easily hidden!!! I also have set up a few other accounts (eg pets, cars, etc) to keep some things separate but unless you are doing a lot of transactions or subscriptions its not worth it.

Personally I wouldn't delete your existing account(s) just gradually transfer things over to one of the new ones. I still have my original email from circa 1991 and sometimes people from the past pop up 25 years on!!! Worthwhile as I have moved 6 times in those years.

As for credit cards for the last 25 or 30 years I have had at least 4. I carry 2 cards around with me and 2 are at home. That way I can never be without a card!!! Admittedly initially I had 1 card and it was broken in one of the roller machines they used to use and I was on holiday. Also because I did use them every month half a dozen times for work. In those days a new card took about 10 days or more to arrive - so if I had ever lost my wallet or had it stolen I would have been up the proverbial creek without the paddle.

I also NEVER have my bank debit card in my wallet and if I want cash I draw that out from another account. I never use the debit card for online or phone transactions except things like MHRC. That way my main bank account can't be compromised or hacked so easily.

Hope I haven't bored you or worried you!!! I do quite a lot of transactions!!!

[Peddling]

PS Even though it's fiendish, I wouldn't be without it.

[Peddling in reply to Peddling]

Not at all, thank you for your very helpful advice. I have bought airline tickets with a debit card, from a second bank account which holds very little money. I take your point about not deleting the original email address, but I think it is an excellent idea to set up new addresses for specific areas.

Many thanks for taking the time.

[PeterWh in reply to Peddling]

No problems. If you want to bounce ideas off me or need help feel free to sadd nod a message.

BTW I meant to say I use Outlook.Com as its the Microsoft package (replaced Hotmail) and it is both web based and device based. I have never had any problems with it but I did have with GMail account. Also outlooks terms are better.