It seems that there are stories every week about young people being targeted to carry drugs to various international destinations and being caught and put in jail. It seems that you don’t even have to leave home to become a money mule. Here are ways to spot if you are being ‘persuaded’ by criminals to help them to launder money. It may be difficult to spot as they usually advertise jobs on the internet which promise easy money. They will ask to move money through your account and you can keep some as payment or ask you to apply for multiple bank cards in your name which they will then use.
Here are some things to remember
- Always be suspicious of the promise of money in exchange for moving funds through your bank account.
- Never open a bank account in your name for anyone else. Never allow your bank account to be used by anyone else and never disclose passwords or PIN numbers.
- Do your research on any advertised jobs. As with any job, check that they are a genuine company via Companies House. Check the contact details and any website they may advertise.
- Be careful of adverts from overseas as it can be hard to check if they’re legitimate.
It’s easier to create a company and make it look like the real thing in certain countries. And as they don’t have the same safeguards that we have in the UK, it can be impossible to check up on their validity.
Whilst you may feel confident that you won’t be scammed, your grandchildren, nephews and nieces might not have the information they need so please make them aware of how easily they could become involved in something that could lead to prison.
The Nationwide have a Scam Checker Service and if you are unsure about a payment from a Nationwide current account then call them and they will help you.
Also, more information is available @ Don’t Be Fooled – If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.
