How to avoid falling for a coronavirus scam

The coronavirus crisis is providing fresh opportunities for fraudsters to strike, particularly as people are now spending more time at home.

Whether it's con artists appearing on the doorstep and posing as good samaritans, or bogus emails and phone calls received while people work at home from laptops, criminals are cynically trying to cash in.

"Scams are among the most prevalent types of crime in the UK, so it is seriously worrying that coronavirus is creating a perfect environment for fraudsters and scammers to thrive using a range of loathsome tactics," says Kate Bevan, Which? Computing editor.

"Help protect yourself by being extra cautious before clicking on any unsolicited emails and texts or answering calls. Make sure your computers, mobile phones and tablets are supported by the latest security updates, and consider installing antivirus software to minimise threats," Bevan adds.

Here's a look at what's been happening and how you can protect yourself...

What scams should I watch out for when browsing online?

If you see an item you've been searching for is in stock online, it can be tempting to just snap it up. But before you click the buy button, bear in mind that Action Fraud says many reports are related to online shopping scams, where people have ordered protective face masks, hand sanitiser, and other products, which have never arrived.

More information on how to shop online safely is available on their website (actionfraud.police.uk/shoponlinesafely).

Police are also warning people to watch out for loan fraud, where 'fast loans' are offered and the victim pays a fee up-front after being told it is to cover insurance for the loan. But the loan never arrives.

What about emails?

Coronavirus-themed phishing emails are a real threat. They attempt to trick people into opening malicious attachments, which could lead to personal details, email logins, passwords and banking details being stolen. They may appear to come from credible health organisations and claim to provide the victim with information on active infections in their area.

Also beware of fake refund emails, whether it's a bogus email claiming to offer a tax refund from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), or refund scams claiming to be offering money back for cancelled trips.

Meanwhile, some parents have also reported receiving bogus emails asking them to send their bank details in order to receive free school meals.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has also heard reports of fake apps, which claim to provide updates on coronavirus. They may contain ransomware, which upon downloading, locks the phone and displays a message demanding that the user pays up to unlock it.

How could people be tricked on their own doorstep?

When people are home alone and family and friends aren't around, they may find themselves particularly vulnerable to approaches from strangers calling door-to-door. For example, if you get a knock on the door from someone claiming to be raising money to help others during the coronavirus crisis, beware of charity scams, where fraudsters pose as street fundraisers.

Another cynical trick highlighted by National Trading Standards is criminals pretending they will do someone's shopping for them and disappearing with the cash.

People turning up on the doorstep may also offer fake items, with fake sanitisers, face masks and swabbing kits being sold door-to-door as well as online. And it's not just your cash that's at risk - these products can often be dangerous and unsafe.

How else will criminals look to manipulate people?Criminals will prey on people's financial worries. With recent stock market volatility, many savers will have concerns about their pensions and investments. So watch out for fake offers of investment and trading opportunities to 'take advantage' of the downturn.

Baroness Ros Altmann, a former pensions minister, points out that people being tricked by pension scams typically lose around £80,000. "As more people are forced to stay at home during the current coronavirus crisis and investment markets have plunged, the risks of cold-calling criminals or online fraudsters reaching more savers and luring them into scam investments have grown," she says.

Above all, don't let yourself be rushed or panicked into going ahead with any financial decision, big or small, whether it's due to someone knocking on your door, texting, emailing or calling you.

Allow yourself time to think, and follow tips from Take Five to Stop Fraud (takefive-stopfraud.org.uk).

WHY... THE 'TAP AND GO' CARD PAYMENTS LIMIT HAS BEEN INCREASED

Transaction limits for 'tap and go' payments rose by £15 from April 1, which means you can now pay up to £45 using contactless. Here, payments and banking industry trade association UK Finance explain the changes:

Why has the contactless limit increased?

An increase was already being considered by the payments industry - but the changes have been introduced more quickly as part of the response to the Covid-19 outbreak, to support consumers who choose to pay using contactless.

It follows similar increases in several other European countries. Contactless payments have become increasingly popular. Last year, £80.5 billion was spent using contactless payments, a 16% increase on the year before.

How will the limit change work in practice?

The software on card payment machines will be updated to accept the new £45 limit. Software is being rolled out from the start of April onwards, but with hundreds of thousands of terminals in the UK, the updating process will happen gradually. If a purchase costs more than £30 and the machine has not yet been updated to accept £45 transactions, then contactless card payments will not be an available option.

How do I know if a retailer has the new limit?

Customers should ask in store and follow the prompts on the card payment machine. If a machine has not yet been upgraded you will not be offered the option of a contactless payment for a purchase of more than £30.

Why is the new limit £45?

The new £45 limit is designed to balance security, convenience and consumer demand. While the increase has been introduced more quickly to help customers during the Covid-19 outbreak, the limit also has to be balanced with ensuring security too.

What have the previous contactless limits been?

So far, the limit has increased from £10 in 2007, to £15 in 2010, and £20 in 2012, and £30 in 2015.

POUNDNOTES

Financial fact: The number of mortgage approvals made to home buyers lifted to a six-year high in February. Some 73,546 mortgages were approved for house purchase - the highest total since January 2014, according to the Bank of England's Money and Credit report.

NS&I URGES CUSTOMERS TO HELP IT FREE UP PHONELINES

Savings giant NS&I is urging customers to go online if possible to manage their money during the coronavirus pandemic. The Treasury-backed provider, which has 25 million customers, said this will help to free up call centre capacity.

NS&I has been receiving more calls than usual. It said customers should use nsandi.com where possible, so that people who cannot access the internet or require critically urgent help can get through by phone. Customers should also only send NS&I post if they have no other choice, the provider said.

NATWEST WILL MATCH CUSTOMER DONATIONS TO SUPPORT CORONAVIRUS APPEAL

NatWest will match customer donations to the National Emergencies Trust coronavirus appeal, through an initiative with the potential to raise up to £10 million.

The bank will be matching donations of up to £5 million made by its customers to the National Emergencies Trust, until the end of June.

This will apply to donations made by NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland reward account customers made via the MyRewards scheme in their online banking. These customers build up rewards which are earned by holding two or more direct debits as well as cashback on certain types of spending. Rewards can be redeemed as cash or donated. The donation matching programme aims to help unlock customers' unused rewards to support the fight against coronavirus.

AGE UK LAUNCHES APPEAL TO RAISE £10M

Age UK has launched an 'emergency coronavirus appeal' aiming to raise £10 million to help it meet the rapidly increasing demand for its services. The charity said it is extremely concerned about the millions of older people who are on their own, who do not have family and friends nearby and are already dealing with unmet care needs, chronic ill health, disability and loneliness.

As well as appealing for funds, Age UK is urging everyone to check in with older neighbours, friends and family members.