Lloyds Bank warning as people see money appear in accounts

Lloyds Bank has shared a warning after some people have discovered unexpected payments appearing in their accounts.

Earlier this year, the banking giant's fraud specialists have released data and guidance concerning what is known as an "advance fee" scam.

These cons typically originate on social media platforms, Lloyds explained, and are promoted as remote working or content creator positions, targeting jobseekers across the UK.

Victims are losing an average of £1,420 in these scams, though some have been defrauded of more than £5,000.

According to Lloyds, younger job seekers are the principal targets, with over half of all cases (53%) involving victims aged 18 to 34.

Scammers are said to lure those seeking employment with fraudulent job offers, often comprising straightforward online tasks, such as reviewing hotels or liking TikTok videos.

These "jobs" promise commission and substantial earning opportunities, all from the comfort of home. However, individuals are frequently asked to pay upfront fees for things like training, DBS checks, and application processing.

Once these payments are made, victims are blocked or ignored. Some of the more sophisticated cases involve fake interviews and contracts, and scammers may impersonate legitimate recruitment agencies and establish counterfeit websites to aid their scams.

In some instances, people will initially receive cash, but this is typically money from other unsuspecting victims of the scam.

Targets are occasionally included in WhatsApp group chats or shown fabricated screenshots of inflated bank balances to make it look more authentic.

Certain scams use cryptocurrency wallets or task-based platforms, while some victims are even manipulated into transferring funds or acting as intermediaries, unknowingly becoming money mules - which constitutes a criminal offence.

Christina Ford, Fraud Investigator at Lloyds, warned: "In my role, I've spoken to a number of customers who have been approached unexpectedly with job offers or they've responded to advertisements promising quick cash or remote working opportunities.

"These offers usually take place on social media platforms, sometimes not even framed as a job advert, but instead in the form of a fake profile talking about a great job opportunity they've had themselves.

"Conversations often shift to other apps, where individuals are added to group chats posing as workspaces. The roles presented appear simple, such as watching or liking TikTok videos or writing fake reviews to boost company ratings.

"Customers are told they will earn a set amount per task and initially receive payments into their accounts. However, these payments are often sent by other scam victims who believe they are paying to unlock higher-paying tasks."

People are being urged to be wary of unsolicited adverts, or job offers promising easy money - especially on social media. If you spot one you should report it to Action Fraud.