Have you heard of 'money mules'?

Never give your account details to an unknown person or you could become a money mule. Criminals use elaborate stories to move stolen money through the banking system with the promise of a share of the fund or by coercion. This includes clever marketing where vulnerable people are targeted. As well as letters and emails, fraudsters now use social media and online forums to post adverts offering the opportunity to make free or easy money or fake jobs using terms like ‘squares’ ‘AC’ ‘Flips’ ‘easy cash schemes’ ‘no risk money’ or ‘money transfer jobs’. Direct recruitment is also used through word of mouth from people they may loosely know or saying they are from a known school, college, university, or sports club. They may even use celebrity endorsements!

If you allow your bank account to be used by an unauthorised person or have criminal funds go through the account, you become a ‘mule’ and there is a risk that your account will be closed, and you could be reported to credit agencies.

To stay safe, never give anyone details of your bank or any other financial account; your bank card, PIN code, password, or passcode. Don’t be lured or persuaded to receive money into your account, even as a one off no matter how plausible it sounds.  

#LincolnshireAgainstFraud  – joining forces to help protect people in our county.