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

One valuable 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 reach hundreds and thousands, not just in Kent but in other areas up and down the country as we are all affected by similar offences. The ECRC publishes Stephen Kelly's weekly K'FAs for our members so you can stay informed and learn about the latest threats targeting businesses and the general public. For further information about fraud, visit Advice About Fraud | Kent Police.

Courier Fraud

Over the past few weeks, Kent has been targeted by criminals for these types of offences. Fortunately, the majority of the intended victims have realised it is a scam and have not lost any money.

Tunbridge Wells has been heavily targeted, as well as offences in Medway and East Kent.

The criminals are employing various methods from posing as Police Officers from multiple Kent Police Stations stating that they have arrested someone in possession of the victim's bank card to requesting financial information or asking victims to withdraw cash for a courier to collect as evidence.

If you get any calls like this, STOP, this is a scam!

The Police will NEVER ask you for financial details on the phone or request to collect your card or cash or gold as part of an investigation.

Remember the ABC of Scam Awareness and Never Assume or Believe a call is genuine and always Confirm.

If you get an unexpected call from someone claiming to be police or any other organisation, then take their details and end the call. Then call back using a different phone if available. If another phone is not available, then wait 5 minutes and ring a family member or friend to ensure the line has been disconnected and then ring 101. Never call a number they have supplied and never ring 999 whilst still on the call with them. You must always disconnect the call first before ringing 101.

Watch - Courier Fraud Warning: Stay Wise, Don't Compromise

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 ww.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

For further information about Fraud, visit our website at Advice About Fraud | Kent Police

You will also find valuable information from the Home Office at Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams.

Doorstep Criminals

Look out for this scam.

The victim had a male attend with a bag of cleaning goods, pressuring them to buy something. The victim agreed to buy items for £20 and was asked to pay by card. The criminal used his mobile phone which had an app to accept card payments. However, it was a scam and instead of inputting £20, the offender changed it to £2000, and unfortunately the victim was debited this amount from their bank account.

Our basic protect advice is to never deal with cold callers on the doorstep. If they will not go away or become aggressive, then ring the police.

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 ww.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

For further information about Fraud, visit our website at Advice About Fraud | Kent Police

You will also find valuable information from the Home Office at Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams.

Boots Scam Email

Look out for fake emails impersonating Boots. Action Fraud have received over 700 reports of these scams.

The emails claim that the recipient has won a free prize, such as a Medicare kit, and that they need to click on a link to claim it. However, it is a scam and the link will take them to a realistic looking website, under the control of the criminals, where they will steal their personal and financial data.

Best advice is to not click on links in emails and go to the officials website to check or confirm by calling the organisation. Do not use telephone numbers contained within the email.

For more information on Phishing go to - Phishing: Spot and report scam emails, texts, websites and... - NCSC.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 ww.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

For further information about Fraud, visit our website at Advice About Fraud | Kent Police

You will also find valuable information from the Home Office at Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams.

Fake Weather Payment Email Scams

Action Fraud has received over 4000 reports of suspicious emails relating to the winter fuel payment and other winter support schemes.

The emails impersonate various government agencies such as HMRC, and instruct the recipient to make a claim using a link within the email.

However, it is a scam and the link will take them to a realistic looking website, under the control of the criminals, where they will steal your personal and financial data.

Best advice is not to click on links in emails and to go to the official website to check or confirm by calling the organisation. Do not use telephone numbers contained within the email.

For more information on Phishing go to - Phishing: Spot and report scam emails, texts, websites and... - NCSC.GOV.UK

Romance Scams - Valentines 14th February 2025

More than £99.4 million was lost to romance fraud in 2024 across the UK.

Romance fraud remains a high-risk fraud, impacting those targeted financially, emotionally, and psychologically.

• Verify Photos: Use a reverse image search to ensure photos are real.

• Be Suspicious: If they start asking for money, especially if you have not met in person.

• Talk to Others: Speak to your friends and family - do not keep them a secret.

Stay safe this Valentines Day, go to Romance Scams | 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 ww.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

For further information about Fraud, visit our website at Advice About Fraud | Kent Police

You will also find valuable information from the Home Office at Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams.

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)