We are aware of scams involving individuals being offered loans for an advanced upfront fee. With the fraudster posing as a representative of a financial services organisation. At Pepper Money we do not charge any fees before the application stage. We would not approach you directly in this way. Your broker will be able to tell you what fees and charges the product you’re applying for has, and when they will be charged. If you think you have been a victim of such a scam, please contact your bank immediately and report it to action fraud.
Keeping your money safe
How to report suspected fraud and tips for keeping your money safe.
What do I do if I think there is fraud on my account.
To report fraud or suspicion of fraud please call us as soon as you can on 03333 701 102. Our lines are open from 9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday. One of our team will investigate it for you.
Should I share documents with my information on it with you or my broker?
Our Tips for keeping your money safe
- Never disclose your PIN, passwords, security codes, or one-time passcodes to anyone. A legitimate bank or lender will never ask for these.
- Never move your money to a “safe account”. It’s not something banks, lenders, or law enforcement will ask you to do.
- Stop and think. Does that sound too good to be true? Always take time to think about the risks of fraud.
- If someone calls you and claims to be from the bank, challenge it. Just because they tell you they are doesn’t mean they are. Caller IDs, emails, and texts can easily be faked. If in doubt, hang up and call them back using the number on a recent statement.
Watch out for phishing scams. Our checklist below can help you avoid falling foul
- Check before you click. Look out for any emails, phone calls, or SMS messages you think are suspicious, especially when payments are involved.
- Avoid oversharing on social media. You should avoid posting about any purchases you’re on the verge of making on social media. This could alert fraudsters who track social media activity.
- Stay alert. As part of the application, always check if the case handler has sent any payment requests before transferring funds.
- Report it. Report any suspicious communications as phishing. Do not participate in activities involving sharing personal details or payments.
- Protect yourself. Ensure you use antivirus-protected software, secured browsers, and an up-to-date device. Avoid accessing confidential information on public networks or devices.
- Test it. Think about sending a test transfer of £1 to the bank account before transferring the full payment to check if the bank details are correct.
If you’d like to learn more about keeping your money safe, UK Finance’s Take 5 campaign has loads of great information, tips, and tricks. It’s an initiative we fully support: Take Five – To Stop Fraud
If you need any further advice you can call us on 03333 701 102. Our lines are open from 9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday. Or email us at [email protected] where one of our friendly team will be able to help.