PRESS RELEASE FOR PARENTS

New school resource to teach children about mobile phone security

and fraud awareness launched


The first specialised teaching resources aimed at educating young people about mobile phone crime,
online security and the threat of fraud have been launched today (24.01.2014) by the
Telecommunications UK Fraud Forum (TUFF) and Financial Fraud Action UK (FFA UK).


Out of Your Hands is a tailored set of teaching resources aimed at primary and secondary school
pupils which bring to life the distinction between risky and protective behaviour, while placing advice
in an educational context that can support teachers.


With almost two-thirds (64%) of children having their first bank or building society account by the time
they start secondary school
1
, experts have stressed the need for young people to be aware of simple
fraud prevention advice at the earliest opportunity. 44% of 16 to 18 year-olds now use internet
banking, while 78% have a card they can use at a cash machine
2
.


The latest fraud figures have shown that enhanced security features - such as Chip & PIN - have
driven criminals to low-tech crimes of deception, where consumers are distracted or duped into
parting with their cards, PINs and other personal information. Experts highlight the importance of
getting advice to those who are at greater risk so that they are able to protect themselves.


Many young people are carrying mobile phones to make and receive calls and texts, for personal
safety, to use mobile phone apps and to access the internet. Although just 17% of the mobile phone
owning population was accounted for by 14 to 24 year olds in 2011/12, this group experienced 37%
of mobile phone thefts
3
. Research by Ofcom in 2013 also showed that a third (33%) of 12-15 year
- 2 -


olds with a social networking account e.g. Facebook, Twitter have a profile which may be visible to
people not known to them, rising from a fifth (22%) in 2012
4
. It is therefore vital that young people
learn how to own and operate their mobile device securely and understand how to stay safe in the
online world.


Katy Worobec, Head of Financial Fraud Action UK, said:



We have seen evidence of attacks against people of all ages, not just adults, so its vital that children
are taught how to avoid becoming a victim. School pupils are often the first to use new technologies,
which bring with them new risks. Meanwhile, the popularity of social media has meant that most
young people are used to sharing their personal data online information which in a fraudsters
hands could put them at risk of identity theft. These new teaching resources will help ensure children
are aware of how to keep this data safe in the present day, and in later life.


Ian Smith, CEO of TUFF said:



Educating young people in the ownership and secure use of mobile devices has always been high

on the Telecommunication Industry agenda. Since the initial launch of the Out of Your Hands website
in 2004, technology has seen many advances so the need for young people to be aware of the
increased risks has never been more important.


TUFF welcomes the partnership with FFA UK which enables best practice on how best to be safe
and secure, to be shared directly with young people as well as through school curricula. This best
practice is especially important when using devices to conduct financial transactions, such as
purchasing the latest music downloads, and how best to protect personal details. When
compromised, personal details are often the trigger for online fraud and crime.


Tracey Bleakley, chief executive of pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group), said:



It is crucial that we teach young people how to manage their personal finances safely, both online
and offline, from an early age. Learning how to protect yourself against fraud and financial scams is
an essential part of the kind of high-quality financial education that we would like to see taught in
every school. The rise of new technology such as social media, as well as the recent resurgence of
low-tech offline scams, mean that this has never been more important. Out Of Your Hands is an
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excellent initiative that will help teachers to give their pupils the tools they need to protect themselves
and their personal finances.


The Out of Your Hands resource is available for free at www.outofyourhands.com.



The initiative was originally launched in 2004 by TUFF and the Home Office with a specific focus on
educating young people about the responsible ways to own, operate and safeguard a mobile phone.


The new resources launched today include new materials for PSHE, ICT, Maths, Business Studies,
English and Drama, featuring example scenarios of typical fraud scams and guidance on how to stay
safe when making online transactions, as well as helping young people consider the risks of sharing
their personal information with others. The campaign website also includes real-life mobile phone
crime and fraud case studies and short films which raise awareness of mobile phone theft and scams
such as Vishing, Money Muling and courier fraud
5
.



The Out of Your Hands website provides:

free National Curriculum resources and downloadable worksheets

real-life victim and perpetrator case studies and short films

the latest tips and advice for staying safe online and on the streets

key features of what to look for in common scams

links of where to register your mobile device, report issues or get further help


- Ends


For further information or spokesperson request please contact the Financial Fraud Action UK press office on
020 3217 8436 or email press@ukcards-ffauk.org.uk

Notes to editors

1. Research from the British Bankers Association and the Personal Finance Education Group published in September
2013. http://www.bba.org.uk/media/article/age-of-the-app-children-spending-online-before-getting-money-lessons-
at-sch

2. The Payments Councils Consumer Payments Survey 2012.

3. Crime Survey for England and Wales, Office for National Statistics 2011/12

4. Ofcom Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report 2013
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/research/media-literacy/october-2013/research07Oct2013.pdf
- 4 -


5. Vishing involves a fraudster making a phone call to a potential victim, posing as someone from a bank or building
society fraud investigation team, the police or another legitimate organisation such as a telephone or internet
provider. They attempt to obtain financial information which often includes credit/debit card details (including PIN),
bank account details and personal information such as full name, date of birth or address. This information is then
used by the fraudster to gain access to their victims finances.

Money muling involves individuals being persuaded to use their personal bank account to receive and transfer
money. Mules are recruited through fake job offers, often made online using titles such as Money Transfer Agent
or Payment Processing Agent. The recipient of the offer is invited to receive money into their bank account and
transfer it to another account, retaining a cut for themselves. In reality, the money received is stolen, often the
result of fraud on accounts, and is then laundered to overseas bank accounts. This activity is illegal and carries a
number of consequences, including freezing of customers bank accounts, difficulty in opening new accounts in the
future (affecting the ability to gain a mortgage, insurance etc) and even a prison sentence of up to ten years.

Courier fraud involves a person being called by a criminal posing as someone from their bank, or even the police.
The caller tells the victim that their credit or debit card needs collecting and replacing following fraud on their
account. Police have found that the criminal caller reassures the victim that the call is genuine by getting them to
hang up and call the banks number for confirmation. Following this, the criminal caller stays on the line, tricking the
victim into believing they are on a new call and that the person at the end of the line is their bank. The criminal
caller will then either ask the person for their PIN or ask them to key their PIN number into their telephone keypad,
before sending a courier to collect the card. The victim is told that the card is going to the bank, but actually is
delivered to the fraudster along with the PIN obtained during the scam.


About Telecommunications UK Fraud Forum (TUFF)
TUFF is a forum for the exchange of information and the promotion of a united effort against telecommunications fraud
that enables the UK telecommunications industry to take action and co-operate when dealing with fraud that affects the
telecommunications sector. The industry has strong and effective links with Government, law enforcement agencies, and
other industry sectors. TUFF also works with global partners to address the globalisation of telecommunication fraud.


About Financial Fraud Action UK (FFA UK)
Financial Fraud Action UK is the name under which the financial services industry co-ordinates its activity on fraud
prevention, presenting a united front against financial fraud and its effects. Financial Fraud Action UK
(www.financialfraudaction.org.uk) works in partnership with The UK Cards Association on industry initiatives to prevent
fraud on credit and debit cards, with the Fraud Control Steering Group (an unincorporated association of financial
institutions who participate in retail banking and the payments market in the UK) on non-card fraud and the Cheque &
Credit Clearing Company on credit clearing and cheque fraud.