Online fraud is getting more sophisticated with new, fake websites cropping up daily. Even Insurers are targeted by these criminals, trying to get people to give away their personal details but in fact they may not be a genuine insurer. Often known as ‘spoofing scams’, it can be difficult to spot a real from a fake.

Some of these fake insurer sites have been set up to entice customers to ‘click here’ for claims support services which you then need to pay for. With us and Insurer partners you do not need to pay to get this service. We and our Insurer partners we have teams of claims handlers, who will support you in the event of claim – you do not need to pay to get this support & service.

So here are some tips on how to stay ahead of the game: –

How to spot a fake website

• Double check the domain name – some fraudulent sites use a well-known product or brand name to help gain your confidence. If you look closer though, something is usually off e.g., ‘AXXA insurance’ instead of ‘AXA Insurance. Many online shopping sites don’t use .org or .net so be cautious of those
• If it’s too good to be true, it probably is – websites with super-low prices can be a scam website in disguise, leading to you buying a counterfeit or even non-existent product
• Look out for unusual payment methods – like bank transfer or Western Union. These can be a sign that something isn’t quite right and can make it more difficult to get your money back
• Check the website – look out for grammatical/spelling mistakes, pixelated images, missing ‘contact us’ options and out of date logos. These could all be signs of a fake website
• Look for a padlock – a padlock next to the site’s URL means that the website is encrypted. This means that what you do on that site can’t be intercepted. No padlock, no clicks! Scammers can forge or buy these padlocks, so please use this check alongside other checks
• ‘Ad spoofing’ – this is when false websites can appear in online search adverts, leading you to believe they’re from a legitimate company. Just because a website is on an online ad doesn’t mean it’s legit, so use your checklist to make sure

How to spot a potential scam

• Have you been contacted out of the blue? Cold calls or unexpected emails should ring those alarm bells, especially if they’re asking for personal information. If it’s a call, hang up and call the company directly, using a number from your policy documents or from the company website
• Been asked to share personal details? A huge red flag. Never share your personal details if they can’t confirm who they say they are. And definitely don’t share any banking/payment information
• Are contact details vague? A lack of contact details can be a warning sign. A legitimate company will have a place of business and an email address or phone number. Sometimes scammers can use a premium rate number starting with ‘09’, so look out for those
• Are you being pressured? If so, that could be another red flag. Countdown timers to buy online, or someone using pressure tactics on the phone are both signs to stop and take a minute. If something doesn’t feel right, hang up the call or leave the site

If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud please contact the company involved directly. You can also check out this Government guide on how to report fraud.

If you have any questions please get in touch – we are here to help.

Source: Thank you to AXA Insurance for bringing awareness of this important topic