Showing posts with label uk private detective. Show all posts
Showing posts with label uk private detective. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
UK Background Checks Advised to Avoid Online Fraud

  • 7/06/2011

The world has been economically struggling for the past three years. In the U.K. alone, economists affirm it has been the worst crisis since 1996; its inflation rate is compared to that of July ’08 when the global crisis was emerging. In Europe, Greece, Spain and Ireland are showing serious and real signs of collapsing, and developed economies like Germany are contemplating offering more financial assistance.

This has lead to worse migration trends and it seems that the U.K. is the number one spot for Greeks, Spaniards, Turks and anyone willing to cross the British Channel in search of a brighter future. UK private investigators  say this uncontrolled immigration is increasing crime rates, and putting serious pressure ont eh country. In fact, the U.K. has seen a sharp rise in online scams and internet fraud. Such criminal operations are often ran by criminal groups who are in the country illegally, or recently migrated.

In 2009 alone, online businesses in the U.K. experienced a notable percentage of lost revenue due to increasing internet fraud and hacking. Online merchants expect to lose 1.8% of their overall online revenue due to fraudulent online payments, an average of £400,000 in lost in revenue across all types of business. Threat s include payment fraud, inaccurate client data, system failure, virus threats and hackers causing malicious damage in which Germany is the most affected country in Europe. The U.S., Canada and Australia are often the targets. The Metropolitan Police Service in London and U.K. private investigators say that criminal operations conducting internet fraud often have ties to Russia, Spain, China and Nigeria.

As the economic problems continue, law enforcement and experts say that fraud and scams via the internet will likely continue and even increase. Criminals are looking for an easy way to make money. Scams can target businesses and even individuals on sites like Match.com and Facebook, with relationship fraud and romance scams. Consumers and business should consider a UK background check  to verify and new relationships or contacts made online in the U.K., for individuals and business. Verify first, and then decide. International due diligence by a professional private investigator or background check firm can be used as a form of insurance to minimize the risk. Be skeptical, ask for references, and experts say never provide payment or personal information to a person or company overseas who has not been verified.

International private investigators are specialists trained to uncover critical information about a company or a person and can save you from business losses and emotional distress, not to mention identity theft and serious financial and personal losses. Protect your business transactions, your finances and reputation. Unfortunately, in today’s global and internet world, people and businesses are easy to forge, and although most businesses and people are honest, due diligence is essential to avoiding scams and fraud.

Fraudsters these days are well organized, sophisticated and evolving. The risk is highest for international transactions, relationships and investments, and the U.K. is struggling to control this escalating crime. Until the situation improves, a background check or due diligence, and extra caution is advised.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2011 A. Hathaway

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Tuesday, June 21, 2011
UK Private Investigators See Risk in Online Dating Scams













There is a relatively new internet threat which seems to be hitting the U.K. harder than all other scams and combined. Use of online dating and social networking sites in the United Kingdom is up over 100% compared to 2007, so there are now more people than ever in the UK online and starting new relationships online. It seems the entire country is wired to Facebook and Twitter. The subscription rate to match-making sites such as Match.com is also remarkably high. The growth in subscribers to these websites has been matched or even exceeded by the reported growth in online dating scams and romance scams , coming from the U.K. or involving the U.K. London based private investigators, in fact, admit that 5 years ago a request to investigate a romance scam was not very common. These days, they receive calls regarding romance scams on a near daily basis, according to one major London private investigation firm. UK private investigators are working more cases pertaining to online dating and social networking sites. Clients want to know who is, or who was the person they were talking to. Complaints at the MET (Metropolitan Police Service) in London also have reported a sharp increase in complaints involving romance scams and internet fraud.

Romance scams are old news, and only a dummy could be a victim, right? Wrong, say law enforcement and private investigators. Wymoo® International, a U.S. based company with field investigators in London, says that complaints and cases involving UK romance scams are up 35% at the company compared to 2009. “We’re seeing an increase in scam cases that have a higher level of sophistication, and more complex scam techniques are being used,” said John Wallace, Director of Background Checks at the firm. “Many cases involve professional criminals who operate in the UK as illegal or undocumented immigrants, and often times these people have ties to criminal organizations in Nigeria and other developing countries.
“Criminals are quite good, and their goal is to gain your trust, and then steal your money or identity. Experts say that even the most skeptical can fall for a romance scam or internet fraud. Often people publish private information on Facebook or Match.com or via email which they might not realize can be used against them. Once a criminal has your address, full name and date of birth, he is 3 steps closer to stealing your identity. Other romance scams follow a more classic approach, and once the trust and relationship is established, he or she will request financial assistance with a visa or passport, medical expenses, travel or education.

But, these scams won’t happen to me, you say. You only use the major websites that everyone else uses, and you’ve never had any problem. Letting your guard down is perhaps the telling sign of most victims of internet fraud and romance scam. Private investigators and law enforcement say to remain skeptical and be cautious in all online relationships. If there are signs of potential, and it seems like the relationship could develop into something serious, play it safe, and consider a background check or international background check if your partner lives or works in another country. Be safe and verify.

Best of luck,

A Hathaway
© 2011 A. Hathaway

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Thursday, February 10, 2011
UK Private Investigators - Buyer's Guide

Insider Tips on Choosing a UK Private Investigator










There is no shortage of UK private investigator and UK background check websites offering services in major cities throughout England, Ireland and Scotland. What is suprising, however, is that few of them are highly recommended. Many private detectives or websites, even some ranking very well in Google, are scams. Clients often find themselves sending money to a UK private investigator only later to see the work isn't done at all and their money stolen, or receive an unacceptable service. Such complaints are increasingly common. As an international private investigator, I receive a lot of requests for recommendations on a UK private detective or background check firm. Hopefully this article will make choosing a UK based PI much easier.

When shopping for a professional and trained UK private investigator, be very skeptical of anyone asking for payment to be sent via Western, Money Gram, PayPal or bank transfer. A real company and professional firm should accept payment via a secure website, using your credit or debit card. Criminals and scammers prefer Western Union or bank transfer, because once the money is sent, there is no way to get the money bank. A professional investigation firm offers payment by credit card. If for any reason there is a problem, you have the option of calling your credit card company and reporting the fraud. Payment by PayPal is fine, just be advised that this is often the sign of an individual, and not a real company. PayPal accounts are easy to set up, and it's not the hallmark of a big company or firm. If this is the only form of payment offered, be very skeptical.

Don't overlook the obvious. Make sure the investigator has offices or field investigators in the UK. No exceptions. No excuse.

ASK FOR A CLIENT REFERRAL. The UK is one of the countries where scam private investigator websites and criminals posing as private detectives is all too common. Be sure to get a client referral or even two before deciding. Ask where he or his investigators received their professional training, and if they have military or law enforcement training experience. In some cases someone with a professional looking website will take a client's money for surveillance, and provide an email paragraph for a report, with no photos! Equally bad, a company or person will purchase a UK background check, and the person won't do anything, and send an email or generic report claiming everything came back clean. This is plain fraud, and criminal acts conducted by individuals in the UK or elsewhere. Always ask for a referral. Also search Google for the name of the investigator or company to see what others are saying. Good companies have people talking, so consider no reference the same as a bad reference.

After your initial research, see if the investigator responds promptly and professionally to your email questions. If you have additional questions, or just want to chat about your case, see if the investigator is available for a phone conversation. This is an excellent way to see what kind of service to expect. Red flags should go up if the investigator claims to be "in meetings" or otherwise unavailable. Most scammers prefer to do their dirty work over email, although some will also take phone calls, so use this as just another tool in the selection process. Lastly, check the website for trust seals such as Verisign, Truste, Better Business Bureau and McAfee. These are organizations that help narrow the options down for you, and BBB makes it easy to see if there have been any previous complaints or problems.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2011 A. Hathaway
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