Remember Claude when trying to bag a bargain

Our fraud-fighting sock puppet Claude pops back up to warn against ‘too good to be true’ deals.

In this short video, the bright pink puppet surprises the owner of a music shop who receives an email offering vintage Fender electric guitars at discount prices.

Fortunately, just before shop owner Tyler clicks the link, Claude makes an appearance to remind him to ‘Stop. Think. Tell’ and help to #SockItToTheScammers.

Links like those featured in the video are part of a ‘spear phishing’ scam. This is when scammers do their research on a target and personalise a message, to trick the victim into clicking a link or providing personal details.

The email or message can be very convincing. It may address you by name, pretend to be from a friend or family member, or offer a specialised deal that appeals to your interests or business.

Clicking the link can allow the scammer to install ‘malware’ on your device, which can pick out personal or financial details and send them to the criminal.

Fraud Protect Officer Tammy Barnes explains: “By taking a moment to ‘Stop’ before clicking or replying, you can give yourself time to ‘Think’ and question the email.

“If it’s offering a deal, can you verify this on the company’s website? If the message is reportedly from someone you know, can you verify it via a trusted means?

“If you’re worried that a scammer has your details, please remember to ‘Tell’ and report it to Action Fraud.”

Up-to-date anti-virus software on your devices can also help protect against scams like these, as well as ensuring that you have two factor verification on all your accounts.

Further information and tips are available on our website: Online shopping | Derbyshire Constabulary.

Tammy said: “If you’re not expecting the email or message our advice is to ignore it. Never click on links or reply until you’ve verified that it is legitimate.

“Always remember: Stop. Think. Tell.”

Our #SockItToTheScammers campaign has been created by our media team and includes a series of awareness videos and victim interviews – with each one in the series focusing on a different type of fraud.

Make sure to follow our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok accounts for all the latest on Claude. 

If you think you might have been a victim of courier fraud, a scam, fraud or online crime (cybercrime) you can report it by contacting us on the details below, or to Action Fraud, the national reporting centre, online at www.actionfraud.police.uk, or on 0300 123 2040:

• Website – We have crime reporting tools on our website: www.derbyshire.police.uk
• Facebook – send us private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page
• Twitter – direct message our contact centre via @DerPolContact
• Phone – call us on 101

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/. 

#SockItToTheScammers