16 May 2023

The Humble Penny: How to avoid financial fraud

Ken and Mary of The Humble Penny achieved financial independence at the age of 34 and set out on a mission to help at least 10,000 people achieve the same goal by the year 2030. They aim to empower individuals to experience more financial freedom and give more generously to others. Recently, they were invited to 10 Downing Street to discuss an important issue affecting so many people: financial fraud. Young professionals are often the most likely targets of investment fraud. People aged 20 to 39 account for 39% of all victims of get-rich-quick investments. Action Fraud data shows that this age group is also more likely to report pyramid or Ponzi schemes and online shopping scams than any other age group. Furthermore, 74% of all rental fraud cases were reported by young people aged 20 to 39. Ken and Mary have personally been affected by scams, motivating them to use their platform to help others avoid these pitfalls. In light of this, they went on a mission to learn what the government is doing about it.The government has implemented a three-point plan to stop scammers or reduce scams: 1. Blocking frauds at source: Banning all cold calls on financial products and sim farms used by criminals for texting. 2. Pursuing fraudsters: Increasing efforts to track down and prosecute those responsible for scams. 3. Empowering the public: Enabling individuals to report frauds on social media platforms with just a few clicks. Listen to all Ken and Mary's advice here: [audio mp3="https://premiergospel.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/PG-Feature-GB-Money-Matters-May-9th-2023-AVOIDING-FINANCIAL-FRAUD.mp3"][/audio] Resources and Tips for Tackling Fraud: If you notice anything suspicious, take the following steps: 1. For suspicious emails, forward them to report@phishing.gov.uk. 2. For suspicious texts, forward them to 7726 (SPAM) it's free of charge. 3. For suspicious calls, text the word "call" followed by the suspicious number to 7726. 4. For suspicious websites, report them to ncsc.gov.uk. If you have been a victim of fraud or an attempted fraud, report it to Action Fraud or, if you're in Scotland, dial 101 to report it to the police. Contact your bank immediately if you've lost money or sent money to a scammer. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Take your time and think things through. If you have any doubts about a message or a phone call, hang up or contact the organisation directly to check. In all things related to money and potential scams, Ken and Mary encourage everyone to stay positive, practical, and prayerful. By being informed and vigilant, individuals can protect themselves against financial fraud and continue on their journey towards financial independence. To learn more from Ken and Mary about achieving financial independence and avoiding scams, check out their blog at thehumblepenny.com.
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