Leeds Building Society offers free fraud clinics in South Shields
The free fraud clinics are open to everyone, not just Leeds Building Society members, and cover common types of fraud including phishing messages, impersonation scams and online banking fraud.
People in South Tyneside are being encouraged to brush up on the warning signs of fraud and learn how to protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated scams during International Fraud Awareness Week.
Leeds Building Society branches are offering an ongoing programme of free fraud clinics to the local community, giving people the opportunity to speak face to face with colleagues and get practical guidance on spotting and avoiding scams.
The sessions are open to everyone, not just Leeds Building Society members, and cover common types of fraud including phishing messages, impersonation scams and online banking fraud.
Local branches offering the service include:
- Newcastle – Northumberland Street
- North Shields – West Percy Street
- Morpeth – Bridge Street
- South Shields – King Street
- Whitley Bay – Park View
The initiative highlights the important role local branches can play in helping people access trusted, face-to-face support.
Stephen Senior, Head of Financial Crime Prevention at Leeds Building Society, said: “Our colleagues in the North East are there to help local people understand how scams work, recognise the warning signs and know what steps they can take to protect themselves.
“International Fraud Awareness Week is a timely reminder to stay vigilant, ask questions and seek advice if something doesn’t feel right.”
“Stay vigilant, ask questions and seek advice”
Graham Binns, Head of Branch Network at Leeds Building Society, said: “Branches are about much more than transactions. They give people somewhere local where they can sit down and talk to a real person, particularly when they’re worried or unsure about something.
“Fraud is a good example of where that face-to-face support really matters. If someone has received a suspicious message, is worried they may have been targeted by a scam or simply wants advice on staying safe, being able to speak to someone they trust can be hugely reassuring.”
Free fraud clinics help people spot the warning signs
A Leeds Building Society customer was recently saved from losing £10,000 after colleagues spotted signs that they could be the victim of fraud.
The customer had visited a branch for a routine £100 withdrawal, but checks revealed an unusual £10,000 payment had been requested the previous day from an account that had seen little activity for more than a decade.
After colleagues took the time to speak to the customer and investigate further, the Banking Protocol was invoked. The £10,000 payment was cancelled and the money returned to the customer's account.
Anyone interested in attending a fraud clinic can visit a Leeds Building branch or speak to a colleague to find out more.