Latest Kent Scam Alerts
Dear Kent Residents
Residents have been targeted this week by investment scam adverts on Facebook – one Kent resident even lost tens of thousands of pounds.
The advert appeared genuine and encouraged the resident to start with a small payment but over time, they were persuaded to invest more and more money, believing they would see high returns.
The money was later converted into cryptocurrency by the scammers, and no return was ever received.
Please be cautious of opportunities advertised on social media and remember that legitimate investment companies will never pressure you to invest.
Report investment scams online here.
For further advice call Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.
⚠️ Residents are receiving fake lottery letters in the post.
The letters claim to be from the Postcode Lottery and say the resident has won a large sum of money. They use lottery-style branding, but the wording is unusual and should raise concern.
How to protect yourself and others:
🚨 remember: legitimate lotteries do not ask for fees to claim a prize
❌ do not share personal or financial information in response to unexpected letters
✅ talk to a trusted family member, friend, or professional if unsure
⚠️If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts
➡️ Report to:
Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline
➡️ Advice: Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline: 0808 223 1133
⚠️ Fake job adverts and employment scams have been making their rounds.
We’ve had reports of online job adverts linked to a company that does not appear on Companies House and has no clear physical office address. We are urging people to take care when responding to job adverts online.
How to protect yourself:
✅Research the company carefully before applying
✅Check Companies House to confirm the business is legitimate
🚨Be cautious of job offers that seem too good to be true
❌Never pay fees upfront for a job opportunity
➡️ Report to: National Cyber Security Centre
➡️ Advice: Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline: 0808 223 1133