Eynsham Parish Council would like to share some useful advice we’ve been sent by the District Council on scams that our residents should be aware of this festive spending season.
Many car parks now have QR codes that drivers can scan into their phones to make a payment. It’s been reported that criminals are replacing the QR codes so they take users to fraudulent payment sites instead. If you do have to pay via your mobile phone, it’s advised to download the parking fee app directly from the Google Play or App Store or visit the website of the parking fee provider via the search bar and not via a QR code.
If you have no other choice but to use the QR code at the car park, review it carefully to check it hasn’t been altered or replaced recently.
There has been an increase in the number of reported scams on Facebook Marketplace, a page on the social media platform where people can make purchases of a range of products and experiences, from second hand furniture to holidays. For those residents who use Facebook Marketplace, it’s a good idea to carefully scrutinise the listing (does it sound too good to be true? This is often a warning sign) and get a sense from the seller as to whether they are pressurising you to pay in advance (they shouldn’t do that if they are legitimate). If you can, arrange to make your purchase in person and avoid making a bank transfer, as its more secure to use a debit or credit card to pay.
Unfortunately, the risks of being the victim of a scam are high across many websites beyond Facebook. Criminals can sometimes clone a popular website to trick shoppers into entering their bank details onto a fraudulent site.
Look closely at the website you are using, even if it’s a familiar one. It’s a good idea to check the website address (https:// - the ‘S’ means the site is secure) and seek out the padlock symbol in the browser address bar when reaching a payment page, as this means the payment will be secure. Be aware of inaccuracies, spelling mistakes or inconsistencies on the websites – these could all be indications of a fraudulent site.
If you have been the victim of fraud, it’s always worth reporting it to Action Fraud as you may be able to prevent other people from falling victim too. Contact them on 0300 123 2040 or via www.actionfraud.police.uk.
We hope all our residents shop safely this festive season and keep your hard-earned money away from the criminals.