Unauthorised Scams

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Unauthorised scams involve fraudulent activities where criminals use various tactics to steal your money without your permission. These scams can originate from shady investment companies, tech support fraud, or even seemingly legitimate businesses. It’s crucial to recognise the warning signs and know how to protect yourself.

 

Common Unauthorised Scams

 

• Phishing Scams: Scammers send emails or messages that appear to be from legitimate financial institutions. They ask for your personal information, such as passwords or bank details, which they use to access your accounts and steal your money.

 

• Tech Support Scams: Scammers pose as tech support from reputable companies and convince you that your computer has a virus or other issues. They then ask for remote access to your computer and steal your personal and financial information.

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• Shoulder Surfing: Scammers may watch you enter your PIN or passwords in public places. Always be aware of your surroundings and shield your input from prying eyes.

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Warning Signs of Unauthorised Scams

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• Unsolicited Contact: Be wary of unsolicited emails, calls, or messages from individuals or companies you don’t know.

 

• High-Pressure Tactics: Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to make you act quickly without thinking.

 

• Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate companies will never ask for your passwords or bank details via email or phone.

 

• Too-Good-to-Be-True Offers: Be cautious of offers that promise high returns with little or no risk.

 

• Unusual Payment Methods: Scammers may ask you to send money through unconventional methods, such as gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency exchanges.

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What Protection Do You Have if an Unauthorised Payment Is Made on Your Account?

 

If an unauthorised payment is made on your account, your bank is generally required to refund you by the end of the next business day, unless they can prove that you were grossly negligent, acted fraudulently, or authorised the payment. The responsibility is on the bank to demonstrate this, but you must fully cooperate with their investigation.

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Gross negligence is a high standard for the bank to prove. It involves extreme carelessness, such as writing your PIN on a piece of paper and keeping it with your bank card. Unfortunately, we often see banks incorrectly accusing customers of gross negligence or lying about the chain of events. It's important to stand your ground and ensure the bank follows the correct procedures.

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At Blockchain Insight, we understand the risks of unauthorised scams. If you suspect you’ve been scammed, reach out to us for help. We’re here to assist you with recovering your lost funds.

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