Banking giant issues urgent warning following a 92% surge in scams
Banking giant Lloyds has revealed how some of its customers have checked their accounts to find hundreds of pounds missing after falling victim to a particular kind of scam.
Security experts warn scams targeting learner drivers are on the rise.
The bank said there had been a massive 92% surge in driving lesson and test scams over the past six months, with victims having £244 swiped from their accounts on average.
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They told how many victims were being targeted initially on social media, primarily Facebook, through “misleading ads claiming to offer discounted driving lessons and falsely affiliating themselves with reputable driving schools”.
Lloyds added: “Victims are directed to contact these scammers via WhatsApp and are asked to pay £150 upfront for five lessons, followed by an additional payment of up to £100 for insurance.
“The supposed driving instructor doesn’t appear for the lesson and victims are blocked on WhatsApp.
“Another frequent report relates to fake driving tests, with social media ads guaranteeing early or specific test slots.
“However, when victims arrive for their test, they find no booking exists.”
People are being urged to be wary of any posts like this claiming to offer cheap driving lessons.
Long waits for driving tests or worries about costs of lessons can leave young people vulnerable, experts say.
Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds, said: “Driving is a rite of passage for many people and an eagerness to get behind the wheel as soon as possible – particularly if there are long waits for driving tests – can make people vulnerable to these driving scams.
“Always use a reputable driving instructor or company and be very wary of adverts on social media – particularly those that are suspiciously cheap, are pressure selling with time limited offers or ask for payment to an account held in a random name.”