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Did you know your perfect online partner could end up pulling on your purse strings rather than your heartstrings?
Most of us think those looking for love have been vetted but that’s rarely the case and that myth saw over 3,500 people become victims of dating fraud in the UK last year, losing a total of £33,650,491 between them.
It’s one of a number of myths the police are hoping to dispel over the next two weeks as they join Action Fraud and the City of London Police and campaign to stop people falling victim to fraud and cyber crime.
They’ll be identifying common fraud myths and posting them on social media and offering tips to stop you falling into the fraudsters’ trap.
This year and last has seen 1199 people report Charity fraud to Action Fraud. The police say most collections are genuine but hope people will question whether a charity is registered when they are making donations to street collectors or sending off money in the post.
Action Fraud are inviting people to share some of the myths that they have come across and any questions that they may have about them, using the hashtag #UrbanFraudMyths.
Police National Coordinator for Economic Crime, Commander Chris Greany said: “There are a number of misconceptions around fraud and cyber crime which often leave people vulnerable. This campaign will help to shatter these misconceptions and provide the public with a clearer picture, helping them to challenge possible urban myths and stop fraudsters in their tracks.
"The more information people have about the reality of fraud and cyber crime the easier it will be to stop it from taking place."
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