TSB to help Tavistock residents be more fraud aware

On 19th May, TSB Partners in Tavistock will be hosting a fraud awareness workshop for local residents, in a bid to raise awareness of how fraudsters operate, including the latest tricks and scams and, more importantly, how to avoid them.

The initiative comes at a time when fraud is becoming more elaborate, more sophisticated and more plausible; the latest figures show that almost £1.2 billion was stolen by fraudsters committing both authorised and unauthorised fraud in 2018. But banks like TSB are fighting back, with the industry successfully preventing a staggering £1.66 billion of unauthorised fraud in 2018 – the equivalent of £2 in every £3 of attempted fraud.

Alongside the workshops, TSB has also launched ten top tips to help protect yourself from fraud

Take your time – always stop and think about what you are being asked to do. Take your time and don’t let anyone rush you – genuine advisors will never be pushy. We will always give you time to think.
Reality check – ask yourself ‘would my bank or the police really ask me to do that?’ If in any doubt, call your bank on the number on your card and ask for the fraud team, they will be happy to help.
Keep your account to yourself – people who get access to your computer, laptop, tablet or phone could access your accounts. If someone contacts you out of the blue and asks to access your computer remotely, they could be a fraudster.
Ask an expert – make sure you seek independent or impartial advice before making any kind of investment. Your bank will always be happy to help you spot a potential scam – so just ask.
If in doubt, call them back – appearances can be deceptive. If you have any concerns, put the phone down and call the organisation back on the number listed on their website or, if it’s your bank, use the number on the back of your card.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is – incredible returns, guaranteed riches, low risks, something for nothing? Fraudsters like to tempt you. If it seems like easy money, be sure to check the fine print.
Speak to friends or family first – telling someone else about any plans or proposals will help you think things through. Those closest to you have your best interests at heart. If they have concerns, you may want to reconsider.
Stay safe online – when paying online, look for the padlock security symbol in the address bar. This means the site is secure and your payment is protected. If you use sites like eBay, never make payments outside their process.
Scam accounts – some fraudsters might scare you and tell you to send money to a ‘safe account’ or a ‘police account’. Your bank would never ask you to do this – these kinds of accounts are always scams.
If in doubt… – whatever your concerns, however small, simply call the number on the back of your bank card and ask to speak to the fraud team. They will be able to help you and give you advice.

Christine Dainty, Bank Manager, TSB Tavistock, says: “Fraud is a serious crime and can have both a financial and emotional impact on our local communities. The branch Partners and I are in constant dialogue with our customers and people in the Tavistock and Plymouth communities and we hear lots of people say they’re concerned about fraud and want to know more about how they can protect themselves.

“No one is too smart to be scammed, and that’s why it’s so important to host these workshop for not only our customers but everyone in the community – to help keep them from becoming victims. By taking time to stop, think and check before making a payment, we can work together to beat the fraudsters.”

TSB’s fraud awareness workshops are just one of the many ways the Bank is tackling the issue of fraud head-on. TSB recently announced its Fraud Refund Guarantee to ensure the Bank’s 5.2 million customers are protected if they are an innocent victim of fraud. TSB is also helping local police forces to pursue the criminals that sit behind fraud, giving the police the information, they need hunt down fraudsters and bring them to justice.

For more information about future workshops, pop into your local branch and speak to a TSB Partner.

Time: 10am - 12pm
Address: Tavistock Town Hall, Tavistock