Unfortunately, scams have gotten increasingly common, with fraudsters deploying quite a few tricks to hook innocent victims. One style of scam is a “romance scam” which involves a fraudster constructing a false relationship with someone to lure them in for his or her money.
This was the case in 2019 for a NatWest customer who was online when she met a person with whom she quickly established a friendship.
With the pair hitting it off, over the course of nine months, they regularly grew closer and a relationship developed.
The person sent her gifts, the couple spoke on the phone, they usually had even exchanged photographs.
Although many online relationships begin in this manner, there was an element which meant the situation quickly unravelled.
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The lady in query was already within the technique of remortgaging her house and was also about to send over one other £30,000.
Mr Wainwright added: “It nearly destroyed her life.”
Bank staff akin to on this instance are available to look right into a matter if an individual believes they’re being scammed.
NatWest states it protects customers who’re vulnerable to fraud, scams and even financial abuse from someone they know.
Individuals who reside with complex vulnerabilities akin to mental health issues, relationship abuse or addictions can even gain support or guidance.
Savers could be referred to Customer Protection Managers when bank staff change into concerned about an unusual request or change in behaviour.
It’s a safeguard a variety of banks have in place so as to protect their customers from being scammed.
Mr Wainwright said: “We encourage our colleagues to search for clues, to be curious and ask the following query.
“This is likely to be about something a member of the family has said, or strange activity on a customer’s account.
“Sometimes they’ll just have a gut instinct that something’s incorrect when serving a customer.”
Individuals who consider they’ve fallen victim to a scam are encouraged to report the matter to their bank right away.
They can even contact Motion Fraud or Police Scotland who could take the matter further to catch those involved.
