Cyber Fraud Awareness: Protecting Our Freelance Community
A Growing Threat in the Digital Age
Fraud has become the most common crime affecting individuals across England and Wales, representing approximately 41% of all recorded crime. Of these cases, an estimated 67% are cyber-enabled. There is no doubt that the digital environment has created fertile ground for increasingly sophisticated criminal activity, where individuals and businesses alike are being impersonated with striking realism.
Recent statistics underscore the urgency of this issue. The Crime Survey for England and Wales reported a 19% increase in fraud incidents in the year ending September 2024, amounting to 3.9 million cases. This data illustrates a fundamental shift in the nature of crime: offenders are no longer limited by geography or simple deception. They are organised, technologically advanced, and adept at exploiting the speed and anonymity of the online world.
At Precise, we have seen first-hand how impactful these attacks can be. One of our freelancers recently fell victim to a cyber-enabled scam in which their personal email was compromised, and a falsified invoice was submitted in their name. Despite multiple verification steps, the criminals’ tactics were alarmingly sophisticated. Cases such as this serve as a stark reminder that even the most vigilant individuals and well-prepared organisations can be targeted. What matters is how we respond, by learning from these incidents and remaining proactive in our defence.
The Global Reach of Modern Cybercrime
The internet’s vast and borderless nature has granted fraudsters unprecedented reach. Today, they can target victims anywhere in the world, often coordinating their operations across multiple jurisdictions. This globalisation of cybercrime has made investigation and enforcement immensely complex.
Data from the year ending March 2023 reveals that only 9% of adult fraud victims in England and Wales had any knowledge of the offenders who targeted them. In many cases, the perpetrators operate from overseas using layers of anonymity and digital tools to obscure their identities. The result is a web of criminal activity that transcends borders in an unprecedented manner. This reality reinforces the need for strong personal vigilance and robust organisational protection.
How Precise Protects You
At Precise, safeguarding our freelancers is a priority. We have strong processes in place and continuously enhance them as threats evolve. Our measures include:
- Comprehensive cyber insurance
- Regular internal team training on fraud and cyber risks
- Secure internal finance processes
- Verification steps around payment information
- Continuous review and reinforcement of our cyber procedures
How You Can Protect Yourself
Cyber security is a shared effort. To help protect your personal information and prevent fraud, we recommend:
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Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on all your devices and apps
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Use strong, unique passwords and update these regularly - Consider using a secure password manager such as 1Password, Bitwarden, or LastPass to generate and store complex passwords safely
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Keep your software and antivirus tools up to date to close known security gaps
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Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities like online banking or work logins
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Avoid posting or sharing sensitive project details (vessel names, client names, site locations, etc.) on LinkedIn or social media - these can be used for social engineering scams
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Be cautious when responding to “project offers” or “contract renewals” sent via WhatsApp, LinkedIn, or Telegram. Always verify directly with your known contact at Precise or the client before replying or sharing personal documents
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Keep sensitive data stored securely, ideally encrypted or in password-protected folders. Store digital copies of your documents in a secure cloud folder (Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.) rather than in your email inbox
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Remember that scammers sometimes impersonate recruiters or agencies using logos and names you recognise. Always check the sender’s email domain (e.g., @preciseconsultants.com). Precise will never ask freelancers for payment for our services
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Hover over links before clicking, if they don’t match the company’s real website, do not open them
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Be cautious with file attachments, even PDFs or Excel sheets can contain malware
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Install a device tracker (like Find My Device or Find My iPhone) and enable remote wipe in case your device is lost during travel
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Carry a portable charger instead of plugging into public USB charging points, as “juice jacking” scams are on the rise
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Be cautious of unfamiliar email login prompts or device alerts
It might seem obvious, but scams are getting more sophisticated! Do not give your personal information to organizations or people before verifying their credentials. Always question unsolicited calls, texts or emails requesting personal or financial information. Also be sure to stay alert of phishing tactics designed to pressure or panic you.
The Emerging Threat of Artificial Intelligence and Deepfakes
Technological progress has given rise to a new and particularly insidious threat: the use of generative artificial intelligence and deepfake technology in fraudulent schemes. Criminals are now leveraging these tools to produce convincing audio and visual impersonations of real individuals, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish genuine interactions from fabricated ones.
Recent cases have demonstrated the severity of this development. In one instance, a finance worker was deceived into transferring $25 million dollars after attending a virtual meeting populated entirely by AI-generated recreations of company executives. Similarly, a UK business leader was tricked into transferring £200,000 following a phone call that used deepfake voice technology to mimic his CEO. With more than half a million deepfake videos currently circulating online, this is no longer a distant threat, it is a present and growing danger.
Strength in Awareness and Community
The rise in cyber fraud should not be viewed as a reflection of carelessness or complacency, but rather as evidence of the rapid pace of technological change.
At Precise, we are steadfast in our commitment to protecting our freelancers and fostering a culture of security and support. By staying informed, questioning unfamiliar communications, and maintaining best practices in cybersecurity, we can collectively reduce risk and safeguard the integrity of our professional community.
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud in the UK, we encourage you to report it to Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for cyber and financial crime.
You can call 0300 123 2040 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm) or submit a report online via the Action Fraud website.
Together, through vigilance and unity, we can continue to protect our community and stay one step ahead in an ever-changing digital world.
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