Been Scammed? Recover Your Lost Funds
If you’ve been caught out by a financial or online scam, then you’re not alone. Millions of dollars are lost every year to scams of all kinds, and often, the victims believe there’s nothing they can do to get their money back. Here at Westbridgeclaims, we work tirelessly on behalf of our clients to track down their stolen funds and the scammers themselves. To date, we have retrieved tens of thousands of pounds for those who have fallen foul of an online financial scam.
Our team of experts has in-depth experience with many different types of scams and know precisely the process and avenues to follow to reclaim money that’s been lost to them. From CFD cons to Ponzi schemes to social media scams, we have the know-how to successfully pursue the cases we take on to deliver justice for our clients. We are also pleased to provide a range of helpful resources and guides to help you avoid getting entangled in a scam in the future.
Key points
What’s a Tax Scam?
This con is where a scammer will phone their mark masquerading as a representative of the IRS. They are likely to be extremely convincing and may demand money for overdue tax payments or ask you to give them personal information to verify your account. Avoid this type of scam by only working with a trusted tax professional.
What about the Family Emergency Scam?
This is a particularly cruel scam that involves con artists contacting the parents or grandparents of a child and telling them their relative is in trouble and needs money wiring urgently.
How much money is lost to internet scams and frauds every year?
Approximately $3 billion is lost to scammers every year operating online, and this number is increasing annually.
Are fake Facebook profiles common?
Much more so than you might think. Over eighty million Facebook profiles are thought to be fake.
This is the case for many types of fraud, including Charity Scams and payment card fraud. Last Black Friday, over 25% of shoppers were the victims of online shopping fraud. Many of these cases involved fake or cloned websites.
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What should I do if a scammer calls me?
If you receive a phone call, for example, from someone purporting to be from your bank, but you are suspicious (and bear in mind that you should never be asked to divulge your full password or card PINs), then immediately end the call, and inform your bank. It’s also a good idea to block the telephone number used by the scammer.
How should I report a scammer?
As well as letting the bank or business that the scammer was falsely claiming to represent know what’s happened, it’s also recommended that you contact your local police department.
Which country in the world has the most cases of identity theft?
Citizens of the USA are more likely to be victims of identity fraud cases than those of any other country in the world.
Where does the term ‘Ponzi scheme’ originate?
Charles Ponzi, a scammer active in the 1920s, has the dubious honor of giving Ponzi schemes their name when he set up a fraudulent investment scheme focused on the US postal service. He was eventually brought to justice and sentenced to five years in jail.
What are the red flags of a Ponzi scheme?
If you receive a guarantee of consistent, high returns with no (or minimal) risk, then this is your first warning sign. A Ponzi scheme is also likely if investors are promised significant returns regardless of market conditions. If the investment strategies being used to generate these spectacular returns are kept secret or seem deliberately vague, then proceed with great caution, too.
What’s the difference between a Ponzi scheme and a Pyramid scheme?
Most Ponzi schemes will ask for an initial investment with the promise of future high returns, whereas a Pyramid scheme tells its investors they will profit by recruiting other investors into the scheme.
