A major nationwide fraud alert has been issued to residents across Kent and the wider UK following a sharp rise in sophisticated scams targeting customers of high-street banks and national delivery firms.
Financial experts and security specialists have warned users of Nationwide, Santander, Royal Mail, and Evri that they are being specifically targeted by “industrial-scale” phishing campaigns. Data from an insights poll by TransUnion suggests that approximately 70 per cent of UK consumers have received fraudulent messages that appear to originate from trusted brands.
The warning follows a significant spike in delivery fraud and account takeovers, with victims losing an average of £757.64.
AI technology fuels “industrial-scale” fraud
The latest figures from financial platform Adyen show a 144 per cent surge in the value of money stolen per shopper over the past year. Fraudsters are reportedly using artificial intelligence to create flawless emails and text messages, removing the traditional spelling errors that once helped people spot a scam.
Madhu Kejriwal, chief executive of TransUnion UK and Europe, said that these scams do not just look real, they feel real. He noted that a delivery text might arrive exactly when a person is expecting a parcel, making the deception harder to detect.
Average losses reaching new highs
While the average loss stands at £757.64, more than one in ten victims have reported losing at least £1,000 to fraudsters.
- Bank Impersonation: Customers of Nationwide, Santander, NatWest, and Lloyds are being targeted by official-looking communications regarding suspicious activity.
- Delivery Scams: Royal Mail remains the most impersonated brand, with 40 per cent of adults receiving fake messages. Evri follows closely at 38 per cent.
- Vulnerable Groups: Younger residents, particularly those aged 18 to 34, are increasingly targeted due to their heavy reliance on mobile messaging.
Impact on Kent and the “first phase” risk
While the threat is national, the alert is particularly relevant for residents in Kent, where local police have previously investigated complex “safe account” scams. Fraud experts suggest that even if a resident loses a small amount of money, it may only be the beginning of the attack.
Chad Reimers, general manager of identity and fraud at TransUnion in the UK, explained that once criminals have login credentials, they often look to “take over the account.” This can lead to further financial withdrawals or the application for new credit lines in the victim’s name.
How to spot the latest scams
Delivery companies and banks have reissued guidance to help residents in Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, and across the county stay safe.
Evri and Royal Mail guidance
Evri has stated it will never show a mobile phone number as the sender name and will never ask for payment via a text link. Similarly, Royal Mail has warned against “unpaid fee” messages that include QR codes or links to non-official websites.
Banking security measures
Santander and Nationwide have reminded customers that they will never ask a person to move money to a “safe account” or request a one-time passcode (OTP) to protect funds. If a caller asks for these details, it is a definitive sign of a scam.
Steps for UK residents to stay safe
Security officials recommend that anyone receiving an unexpected message should avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments.
Report and protect
If you suspect you have been targeted, you can forward suspicious text messages to 7726, a free service that alerts mobile providers. Suspicious emails should be sent to the National Cyber Security Centre at report@phishing.gov.uk.
For those who believe they have already shared banking details, the advice is to contact their bank immediately using the number on the back of their debit card or by calling 159, the secure fraud hotline.
Experts also suggest that householders perform a factory reset on their devices if they believe they have accidentally installed malicious software via a scam link. This is often the only way to ensure hidden malware is fully removed from a mobile phone.
