What is the difference between fraud and a scam?
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, fraud and scams are slightly different.
Fraud
Fraud usually involves unauthorised activity, where a criminal acts without the victim’s knowledge or consent. Examples include:
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Someone accessing your account without permission
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Stolen card details being used for payments
In these cases, the victim has not knowingly approved the transaction.
Scam
A scam involves deception, where the victim is manipulated into authorising a payment or sharing sensitive information themselves. Examples include:
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Being persuaded to transfer money to a “safe” account
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Paying a fake supplier invoice
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Sharing one-time passcodes with someone pretending to be from your bank
Because the payment or action was authorised, scams can be harder to resolve.
Why the distinction matters
The difference affects:
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How incidents are investigated
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Whether funds can be recovered
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What protections may apply
Regardless of the type, suspicious activity should always be reported as soon as possible.
If you feel you are at risk of fraud/scam or have been a victim, please contact us on 0800 917 9206 or by email at support@myzeller.com
