Don’t fall prey to the cyber-fakers
“Fake news” is a scourge of the digital age — and online fakers could be costing British consumers £2.6bn a year.
While the phrase is usually associated with misinformation spread on social media, fraudsters are using the same tactics and websites to push bogus flights, holiday accommodation or insurance, as well as pension and investment scams.
Travellers blew at least £7m last year on air tickets and accommodation that did not exist, according to the cyber-crime reporting centre Action Fraud, while fake conveyancing solicitors stole more than £16m from homebuyers in the 13 months to February 2017. Fake car insurance policies account for losses of about £96m a year, according to exclusive research by the AA.
It is also estimated that pension transfers and withdrawals…