Authorised Push Payment (APP).

Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams happen when a person or business is tricked into sending money to a fraudster posing as a genuine payee. These types of scams can have a devastating impact on the people who fall victim to them. You can learn more about APP scams at https://www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/

One of the best ways to avoid a scam is to be aware of what it can look like. So, we’ve pulled together a list and descriptions from the industry of some of the most common scams going around so you’ll know what to look out for.

Purchase scam.

A purchase scam is when a victim pays in advance for goods or services that are

never received. These scams usually involve the victim using an online platform

such as an auction website or social media. Avoid purchasing goods where the deal looks too good to be true, for example, heavy discounts, as these can often be scams. If you’re not sure, research the person or company selling the items and read any reviews about them.

Impersonation scam.

In this type of scam, a criminal pretends to be a known family member or friend. Or an organisation such as a utility company or government department. Common scams include claims that the victim must settle a fictitious fine or pay an overdue tax return. They sometimes gain remote access to the victim’s computer or mobile device as part of the scam, claiming that they need to help ‘fix’ a problem. When they impersonate a family member or friend they will describe being in urgent need of money.

Impersonation scam: Bank or ‘safe account’.

In this type of impersonation scam, the criminal contacts the victim by pretending to be from either the police or the victim’s bank and convinces the victim to make a payment to an account they control. Kroo or the police will never contact you and ask you to transfer money.

Investment scam.

In an investment scam, a criminal convinces their victim to move their money to a fictitious fund or to pay for a fake investment. The criminal will usually promise a high return in order to entice their victim into making the transfer.

These scams include investments in items such as gold, property or cryptocurrencies. Investment firms must inform customers that all investments are risky and capital can decrease as well as increase. Any suggestion that an investment has a guaranteed return on the investment is likely to be a scam.

Romance scam.

In a romance scam, the victim is persuaded to make a payment to a person they have met, often online through social media or dating websites, and with whom they believe are in a relationship. Once they have established their victim’s trust, the criminal will then claim to be experiencing a problem, such as an issue with a visa, health issues or flight tickets and ask for money to help.

Remember.

1. Our Customer Support team will only contact you via the Kroo app or via email from help@kroo.com.

2. Scammers may reach out to you by sending you a text message or calling you. They may mention familiar names or facts that are known to you to make you believe they’re a genuine person.

3. Don’t share any sensitive details, such as a PIN or one-time passcode, your security details or your bank account password, with anyone.

4. If you don’t believe that the call or text message is genuine, hang up and don’t respond to the text until you speak to us.