As Black Friday approaches, HSBC has partnered with magician Troy von Scheibner to demonstrate how fraudsters manipulate victims’ trust to obtain personal information.
Purchase scams, where shoppers are tricked into paying in advance for goods or services that are never delivered, are the most prevalent form of Authorized Push Payment (APP) fraud affecting HSBC customers, with 6,218 cases reported this year.
Recognizing the increase in fraudulent activity during Black Friday, HSBC has created a video featuring von Scheibner on the streets to raise awareness about the tactics used by criminals, which often mirror those of magicians.
David Callington, head of fraud at HSBC UK, warns: “Fraudsters can put consumers under their spell, leading them to believe they are providing personal or financial information for legitimate reasons. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Always use secure payment methods and shop from reputable sites.”