Financial institution points warning over constructing initiatives scams after seeing bounce in instances

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Your assist makes all of the distinction. Learn extra A significant financial institution is seeing a bounce in criminals utilizing constructing works as a ruse to steal clients’ cash.

Criminals could ask for hefty deposits for work across the residence or backyard to be carried out earlier than disappearing.

Or they could make false claims to have {qualifications} and go away work behind that's severely shoddy and even harmful.

Santander UK highlighted the problem in its quarterly “scamtracker”, which tracks developments in authorised push cost (APP) scams, the place persons are tricked into transferring cash on to a fraudster.

Buy scams accounted for greater than half (57%) of claims obtained between April and June, Santander stated.

Inside this, there was a 22% improve within the quantity of scams involving constructing works within the second quarter of this yr in contrast with the earlier quarter.

The financial institution stated that is the quickest rising tactic it's seeing being utilized by scammers and the commonest driver of buy scams for purchasers aged 35-plus.

A big bounce was seen amongst clients aged 80-plus, with constructing works making up greater than half (58%) of all buy rip-off claims obtained from this age group, up from simply over a 3rd (36%) within the first quarter of 2025.

The financial institution’s knowledge additionally indicated that criminals are homing in on works linked to roofing and gardening or landscaping.

Get a free fractional share price as much as £100.Capital in danger.

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Get a free fractional share price as much as £100.Capital in danger.

Phrases and circumstances apply.

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Trying past simply constructing scams, the scamtracker discovered that £15.7 million was stolen total from clients between April and June 2025, which was a 15% lower in contrast with the earlier three-month interval.

Chris Ainsley, head of fraud threat administration at Santander UK stated: “Whereas the whole quantity stolen by scammers has declined over the past quarter, don’t let this lull you right into a false sense of safety.

“With longer days and hotter climate, it’s a well-liked time for us all to consider jobs round our properties and gardens, and criminals are capitalising on this, parting clients with greater than £700,000 between April and June alone.

“Don’t let scammers solid a shadow over your summer time and; keep alert to something that sounds too good to be true.”

The financial institution urged that, to assist guard in opposition to scammers, folks search suggestions from family and friends, supply a number of quotes earlier than agreeing to work and be cautious of anybody chilly calling.

It stated folks mustn't really feel below strain to agree a deal on the spot.

Alongside constructing scams, Santander additionally highlighted a rising pattern of criminals sending rip-off textual content messages purporting to be from organisations corresponding to utility firms, authorities our bodies, or linked to winter gas funds or penalty cost notices.

Faux messages could hyperlink to an internet site that asks clients for his or her card particulars and permits criminals to register their card to a brand new digital pockets.

Information from the financial institution exhibits that rip-off claims involving in-app digital wallets have elevated by greater than 70% within the second quarter of this yr, in contrast with the primary quarter, with greater than £1.8 million stolen between April and June 2025.