General Support
Coronavirus Fraud Awareness
We urge you to be aware of suspicious phone calls, texts, or emails from anyone claiming to be from Progressive Building Society with a message about coronavirus. We may ask some specific security questions to help us confirm your identity.
How to report fraud
What out what to do next if you think you have been a victim of fraud.
How to Report FraudLatest Scams
What fraud tactics to look out for:
- Zoom related scams - Scammers are sending emails posing as the Zoom download manager asking the recipient to complete their download by clicking "next", which releases malware when clicked. The only safe way to set up Zoom for personal use is to go on the Zoom official website and download it yourself.
- Lock-down scam fines - Scammers may send you a text message claiming to be sent from the Government, threatening to fine you for leaving your house and demanding payment.
- Fraud around short-term financial concerns - Scammers may ask you to hand over an upfront fee, usually between £25 and £450, when applying for a loan or credit that you never get. This is known as loan fee fraud or advance fee fraud.
- ‘Good cause’ scams - Be wary of scammers who may try to get you to hand over money for services such as the production of sanitiser, manufacture of personal protection equipment (PPE) or new drugs to treat coronavirus – with the promise of high returns to entice consumers. Reputable companies would not behave in this way.
- Using the uncertainty around stock markets - Scammers may advise you to invest or transfer existing investments into non-standard investments.
- Clone firms - Firms must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority to sell, promote, or advise on the sale of insurance products. Some scammers will claim to represent authorised firms to appear genuine. In particular, be aware of life insurance firms that may be cloned.
- Scammers contacting you claiming to be from a different company - Be mindful of anyone who contacts you claiming to be from a Claims Management Company (CMC), insurance company or your credit card provider. They may say they can help you recover losses by submitting a claim, for the cost of a holiday or event such as a wedding cancelled due to coronavirus. They will ask you to send them some money or your bank details. Never follow instructions if you are unsure.
- Contact from your Bank or Building Society - Cold calls, emails, texts or WhatsApp messages stating that your bank is in trouble due to the coronavirus crisis, and pushing you to transfer your money to a new bank with alternative banking details.
How to protect yourself
- Use the Financial Services Register and Warning List to check who you are dealing with
- Reject offers that come out of the blue, or that seem to good to be true
- Beware of adverts on social media channels and paid for/sponsored adverts online
- Do not click suspicious links or open emails from senders you don't know
- Don’t let yourself be rushed or pressured into making a decision
- If a firm calls you unexpectedly, use the contact details on the Register to check that you’re dealing with the genuine firm.
Speak to our team today
We’d love to talk you through the mortgage process and help you find a suitable product. For more information or to apply for an account, you can call us, email us, pop into one of our 11 branches. We look forward to hearing from you.