Nationwide Building Society has issued an urgent warning to customers about a rise in 'safe account' scams, where fraudsters impersonate banks or the police to steal money. In a recent tweet, the society urged Britons to remain vigilant, stating that neither Nationwide nor the police would ever ask customers to move money to a 'safe account'.
The scams typically begin with an unexpected phone call from someone claiming to be from a trusted organisation, such as a bank or the police. The caller then falsely claims that the victim's money is at risk, often citing a security breach, and instructs them to transfer funds to a 'safe account' set up for their protection.
Nationwide emphasised that customers should never act on unsolicited calls or transfer money at the request of a caller. Action Fraud, the UK's national reporting centre for fraud, has also shared three key steps to help people protect themselves: stop and think before sharing personal or financial details; reject, refuse, or ignore any requests that feel suspicious; and contact your bank immediately if you suspect a scam.
Victims of such scams are advised to report the incident to Action Fraud via their website or by calling 0300 123 2040. Additionally, individuals can contact CIFAS to apply for protective registration, which adds extra checks to financial applications made using their address and personal details to prevent identity fraud.
