Stay alert to scams
There are a lot of scams circulating online, via text or email and over the phone where criminals want to convince you to do something which they can use to their advantage. Christmas is a very busy time of year for scammers, so it is important to stay alert!
In a scam email or text message, their goal is often to convince you to click a link. Once clicked, you may be sent to a dodgy website which could download viruses onto your computer or steal your passwords and personal information.
Over the phone, the approach may be more direct, asking you for sensitive information, such as banking details.
They do this by pretending to be someone you trust, or from some organisation you trust. This could be your Internet Service Provider, local council, even a friend in need. So please be mindful and if you receive a suspicious email, or text don't reply with your details or open any links or documents. Delete the message straight away and phone the organisation directly using the phone number found on their official website and ask them.
Scams affecting housing association residents:
Sometimes scammers pretend to be your landlord. They may call, send a text or email and say you have arrears on your account and will face eviction if you do not make an immediate payment.
It can be difficult to spot this is a scam as we do call, email and text residents about their accounts.
So it is important to pay attention to the details provided.
- Does the amount they want you to pay match your current account balance? You can login to MyCKH at any time to check your latest balance.
- Are they asking you to enter payment details into a website instead of signposting you to one of our secure payment channels?
- Does it look different to other messages you have received from CKH?
If in doubt, contact us before you click on any links or make any payments. Our team is always happy to talk to you about your account and is available over the festive period. Find our Christmas opening hours on the Contact us page.
Top tips to protect yourself against scams:
- Never give money, credit card details or online account details to anyone you don't know and trust.
- Keep your receipts.
- Check your bank account and credit card statements.
- Report any unexplained transactions to your bank.
- Keep your bank cards safe.
- Make sure nobody else knows your PIN number.
Top tips to protect yourself against online scams:
- Check your social media privacy settings.
- Be wary of unsolicited messages.
- Choose strong and different passwords - you can stay safer online by using strong passwords.
- Update your device's software.
- Be careful when using public Wi-Fi.
Top tips to protest yourself against doorstep scams:
- Be on your guard - always be suspicious of anyone turning up at your door uninvited.
- Ask for ID - ask to see a callers' ID and call the company to see if they are genuine.
All of our employees, as well as our colleagues at Mears, will carry ID when they come to visit you. Please ensure you check for ID before you let anyone into your home. Our staff will not be offended if you ask to check their ID, and you can always call us if you are unsure and double check they work for us.
- Don't be afraid to say "no thank you" firmly - if you are not interested in the services, simply and politely decline and ask them to leave.
- Set up a utilities password - you can set up a password with your gas and electricity providers so that you can be sure callers are genuine. Only genuine callers will be aware of your password.
You can also set up a password system with ourselves for added security for when we visit.
- Call the police - if a caller is really persistent and refuses to leave, call the police. If you are suspicious but not in immediate danger call 101, the police non-emergency number.
Find out more about scams and report them on the Action Fraud website.