Unfortunately some fraudsters are taking advantage of the coronavirus outbreak. And as the BBC reports, we're seeing a number of new scams related to coronavirus.
So we've summarised the guidance published by the FCA (the Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates banks) about these scams, and shared some tips to help avoid them.
Watch out for new scams about coronavirus
Scams could be about insurance policies, tax refunds, pension transfers, or high-return investment opportunities including investments in cryptoassets, or even 'cures' for coronavirus.
Scammers target everyone, especially vulnerable people. And use many sophisticated, opportunistic ways to get hold of your money or sensitive information.
To help protect yourself against scams about coronavirus, you should:
Reject offers that come out of the blue.
Beware of adverts on social media channels and paid for/sponsored adverts online.
Beware of investments that appear to be too good be true. If you decide to invest in something offering a high return or in a cryptoasset, you should be prepared to lose all your money.
Before making an investment, use the FCA Register and Warning List to check who you are dealing with.
Avoid being rushed or pressured into making a decision.
Call back existing providers who call you unexpectedly on the number on their official website or if it's a bank, the number on the back of your card.
Not give out personal details (bank details, your PIN, email address, password, address or existing insurance/pensions/investment details).
If it looks like Monzo's contacted you, make sure it's really us
Calls or text messages can look like they're coming from Monzo. So if you've received an unexpected message or call from us, use our guide to help you tell if it's real or not.
This guide also lets you know what we'll do if we ever need to contact you. And, most importantly, the information we'll never ask you to provide.
Tell us if you think you've been scammed
If you think you have been the victim of a scam, get in touch with us as soon as possible. You can:
Reach out to us through the app
Call us on 0800 802 1281 if you're in the UK, or +44 20 3872 0620 if you're abroad.
The quicker you tell us, the quicker we can try and track your money down.
If you suspect you've seen a scam, you can also call Action Fraud straight away on 0300 123 2040, or the FCA Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768.
Have you been affected financially by coronavirus? Find out more about support available to you in our coronavirus FAQ.
