The Cumberland Building Society has strengthened its commitment to protecting customers from fraud during International Fraud Awareness Week.
The society aims to empower individuals and businesses by spreading awareness about common scams, providing tips for safeguarding personal information, and stressing the importance of swift action if fraud is suspected.
The building society seeks to raise awareness of common scams, provide tips for safeguarding personal information, and highlight the importance of taking action if fraud is suspected.
Fraud is a growing concern in the region, with 2,071 cases reported last year, resulting in a loss of £7.6 million.
Online shopping and auction fraud are particularly prevalent, affecting people of all ages but especially those between 20 and 59.
The Cumberland's Financial Crime Team, part of its 'Kinder Banking' ethos, works full time to minimise the risk of fraud by providing regular updates on cyber threats, ATM safety, and essential fraud prevention tips.
Rebecca Burney, assistant cluster manager at The Cumberland Building Society, said: "We’re dedicated to keeping our customers informed and confident in their financial security.
Fraud is also a significant concern for businesses.
According to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, 160 fraud reports were made by businesses within Cumbria last year, resulting in £2.1 million in losses, mainly from limited companies.
The Cumberland, which specialises in commercial lending to the hospitality sector, advises businesses to be on the lookout for new fraud tactics, including phishing emails, social media scams, and fake delivery texts, all of which can result in data breaches and unauthorised account access.
Katherine Thomson, commercial relationship manager at The Cumberland, said: "The Cumberland is committed to supporting our business customers against fraud.
"When verifying a call, we will ask for personal information that only you know the answer to, but we will never ask for account numbers, PINs, or passwords.
"If in doubt, we urge customers to hang up and call us back on an official Cumberland number to confirm."
To mark International Fraud Awareness Week, The Cumberland has shared essential key tips for businesses and individuals:
- Keep Accounts Secure: Use strong, unique passwords and never share PINs or passcodes. - Stay Vigilant at ATMs: Observe your surroundings and shield PIN entries. - Verify Communications: Be cautious with unsolicited links or attachments, especially urgent requests. - Confirm Payment Changes: Contact suppliers directly to verify any new payment details.
The Cumberland will also host a series of crime prevention drop-in sessions in partnership with Cumbria Police.
The sessions will take place from 10 am to 2 pm at the following Cumberland Building Society branches:
- Cockermouth on Wednesday, November 20 - Workington on Thursday, November 21 - Wigton on Friday, November 22.
Those seeking more information on fraud prevention or wishing to speak with one of The Cumberland Building Society’s representatives can call the customer care team at 01228 403 141, visit their local branch, or send a secure message via the mobile banking app.
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