The ECRC works closely with local policing to ensure that our members benefit from the free tools and services that local policing offers.

One such valuable free tool is the Kent fraud Email Alert System (K'FAs), created by Stephen Kelly, the Fraud Prevent and Protect officer for Kent Police. This system provides weekly alerts to inform the public and businesses about current scams and how to best protect themselves.

The K'FAs reaches hundreds of thousands not just in Kent but in other areas up and down the county as we are all affected by similar offences. Starting this week, the ECRC will begin publishing Stephen Kelly's weekly K'FAs for its members. Stay informed and learn about the latest threats targeting the public and bushiness by reading on.

For further information about Fraud, visit Advice about fraud | Kent Police

Latest Scam Email – Fat Burning Gummies

Action Fraud have received nationally over 127 reports in relation to fake emails impersonating “People’s Keto Gummies” However, the email is a scam and the link in the email will take you to a realistic looking website under the control of criminals who will then steal your personal and financial data.

If you get an email like this or any other suspicious looking emails, you can report these by forwarding to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

Book your Fraud Protect Presentation

Our Fraud Prevent and Protect Officer is keen to give presentations to organisations and community groups on how to protect yourselves from the threat of Scams and avoid criminals stealing your money.

These can be tapered for the needs and requirements of any group and can be booked for anytime in the future. Some of the areas covered includes fake emails and text messages, Romance Scams, Rogue Traders, Gift card scams, Impersonation and investment scams, Mandate Fraud for business etc. etc.

The good part is that these come free of charge . If you are part of or in charge of any groups, including businesses that would benefit from this input, then please contact Stephen Kelly at the following email address – Stephen.kelly@kent.police.uk

Gift card Scams

We are continuing to see a rise in scams involving people being requested by criminals to purchase gift cards from stores. Gift card scams start with a call, text, email, WhatsApp or social media message. Scammers will say anything to get you to purchase gift cards, like Google Play, Apple, Steam, iTunes, or Amazon cards.

Never Assume - If you get a message from anyone claiming to be a friend or family member, or someone claiming to be from a reputable organisation such as HMRC, a bank, or the police, and you are asked to purchase any gift cards – STOP! – it will be a scam.

Never Believe - Scammers will often claim it is an emergency and typically invent a time-critical reason as to why they need you to help them, they need to pay an urgent bill, for example. They will often pull at the heartstrings and say you are the only person they can turn to.

Always Confirm - Protect yourself by trying to speak to the person who you think is asking for the gift card directly or in person. For example: if it is the bank, find the official contact number on your bank card, recent statement or ring 159 and speak with them.

If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

Ticket Fraud

Many of you may have been unsuccessful in obtaining tickets for next year’s Oasis concerts. It is important now if you are looking online for tickets being sold second hand that you do not end up "looking back in anger" from buying fake Oasis tickets.

Criminals will see this as a wonderful opportunity to advertise fake tickets for sale via social media etc.

Be vigilant, avoid clicking on suspicious links and only ever use authorised ticket agents to buy tickets.

For further information on ticket fraud visit the Action fraud Website - Ticket fraud | Action Fraud

If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

Investment Frauds

We are seeing a rising in reports of investment scams, from Crypto Currency to fake shares and fake commodities like investing in fine wines.

If you are thinking about making an online investment, thoroughly research the company first and always get independent financial advice.

Criminals will often contact you unexpectedly or advertise on social media with promises of high returns and use images of luxury items to entice you into investing.

They will make offers about massive returns but only if you act fast and invest straight away so do not be rushed or pressured into making a decision and if it sounds too good to be true, then it is.

Checkout the following Action Fraud advice - Cryptocurrency investment fraud | Action Fraud

If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

How can the ECRC support?

By joining the ECRC as a free member, your organisation will be supported in making the small changes that make the biggest difference when it comes to cyber resilience. Becoming a free member means you will receive the latest cyber resilience guidance via email, which will drip feed you ways in which you can improve your cyber resilience without costing any money.

The ECRC website also contains several links to helpful National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) resources, which are all free, up-to-date, and easy to use. Tools such as Exercise in a Box and the NCSC Cyber Action Plan are particularly useful in terms of identifying areas where you could improve your cybersecurity. They also have many informative guides that are sector specific, which will give you useful and detailed information.

If you would like more information about how the ECRC can help your organisation specifically, please book a chat with us today! 

Reporting a live cyber-attack 24/7:

If you are a business, charity or other organisation which is currently suffering a live cyber-attack (in progress) please call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 immediately. This service is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Reporting a cyber-attack which is not ongoing:

Please report online to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. You can report cybercrime online at any time using the online reporting tool, which will guide you through simple questions to identify what has happened. Action Fraud advisors can also provide the help, support, and advice you need.

Alternatively, you can call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (textphone 0300 123 2050)