Scammers are using Facebook messenger and PayPal to con people out of money in Surrey.

Police have warned residents to be alert to direct messages on Facebook which appear to be from friends who are having trouble with Paypal.

The con involves asking the victim to receive money on behalf of a friend or family member but the transaction can then be reversed, allowing the fraudsters to steal funds.

Officers said the incident usually involves the apparent sale of a camera on Ebay.
They advised residents to adhere to the following safety guidelines:

Even if a message asking for assistance with a financial transaction comes from someone you know, you should check it’s really them by contacting them using another means first

Never respond to any requests to send or have money transferred into your account by someone you don’t know and trust

Protect your online accounts by using strong passwords that differ between accounts or, where possible, using two-factor authentication

If you’ve made a payment which you suspect is fraudulent, inform your bank or payment service provider as soon as you can. Monitor your bank statements for any unusual activity.

 
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