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Spotting scams
Invoice scams
What is an invoice scam?
Invoice (also known as mandate scams) is when a fraudster will pretend to be a solicitor, tradesperson or someone from a trusted organisation and intercept emails or hack into an organisation's email and pretend to be them. They'll inform you that you need to pay them into a new or amended bank account, which they now have ownership over.
Steps to protect yourself
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01
If you're unsure, call the company or the person providing the service on a trusted number so that they can confirm the account details that you’ve received are correct.
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02
When making your first payment, transfer a small amount first and then check with the company that the payment has been received.
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03
Send confirmation of payment to the company or person providing the service once their invoice has been paid.
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04
If there's a change in bank details, always query this as companies rarely change their bank details.
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05
Be careful of the information you choose to share on social media, as criminals will use this (such as a home renovation) to target you.
How to report a suspicious email
If you've received a fraudulent or suspicious email, and not responded to it, please forward the email to phishing@natwestint.com.
However, if you've responded to the email, and/or you suspect that any of your accounts with us have been accessed online by someone other than yourself, please contact us immediately on:
0800 161 5154
Call +44 (0) 1268 50074 from abroad
Calls may be recorded.
Identity theft
Identity theft is when a fraudster steals your personal information to impersonate you, open accounts, obtain credit or set up businesses.
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Pension scams
A fraudster encouraging someone with access to their pension to move funds, where the money may be lost or unreasonably charged.
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Impersonation fraud
Criminals pretend to be a trusted organisation, may say your account is at risk and ask you to move your money to a ‘safe account’.
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