Scams jump 66 per cent during lockdown as fraudsters take advantage of nation's uncertainty
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Fraudsters have cashed in on the coronavirus lockdown and exploited the nation's uncertainty during the pandemic with a flood of scams, figures from Barclays show. Frauds, which could involve anything from travel, social media and investments, went up 66 per cent in the first six months of this year, according to Barclays Bank data on reported scams from January to July 2020. Barclays said scams relating to investments went up by 49 per cent in July - the highest level it has ever reported. He said: “Fraudsters have undoubtedly taken advantage of the nation's uncertainty during the pandemic, in what is just another moment in the historical evolution of scams.” Barclays said there was an increase in campervan scams, particularly on online marketplace sites, during lockdown.
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