The majority of authorised push payment (APP) fraud (where someone is tricked into transferring money to a fraudster) in the first half of 2024 started online, Take Five said, and, while a third (33%) of people are aware of fraud risks on social media, only 12% see online marketplaces or auction websites as the place where they are most likely to be targeted by fraudsters.
And 26% said responding to requests for personal information from individuals or companies online would make people most vulnerable to fraud, while just 29% said sharing personal information on social media could put people most at risk.
People warned to ‘be alert’ to threats of online fraud People are inclined to believe a scam is more likely to start with a phone call than online, despite internet contact being the trigger for many frauds, a survey indicates.
Only 13% of those questioned said looking for ways to make extra money could make people most vulnerable to fraud – a factor that could make them prime targets for investment scams and fake quick money-making opportunities.
Take Five to Stop Fraud, which released the research ahead of Safer Internet Day (February 11), said the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by criminals can make online scams even more sophisticated and convincing.
