Nearly £1.1 million was stolen from HSBC UK customers through impersonation scams in March 2023, with the bank urging the public to stay vigilant against fraudsters posing as HMRC officials.
In March 2023, HSBC UK reported that impersonation scams resulted in nearly £1.1 million being stolen from its customers, with victims losing an average of £5,791 each. This spike in fraud activities was attributed to scammers exploiting the tax year’s end, often impersonating HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to deceive individuals into sending money or revealing personal information. David Callington, HSBC UK’s head of fraud, warned of an increase in such scams during March, as scammers leverage the anticipation of communications from HMRC.
Using tactics like phishing emails, phone calls, and text messages, these fraudsters attempt to appear legitimate, sometimes using personal details to target their victims more precisely. HSBC UK advises the public to be wary, recommending steps such as verifying the sender’s email addresses, being cautious with communications purporting to be from HMRC, refraining from clicking on suspicious links, and only using officially provided contact details when engaging with organisations.
Amid rising concerns over financial fraud, particularly impersonation scams, HSBC UK’s guidance aims to help individuals protect themselves by staying vigilant and adopting security measures.
