Carol Vorderman shot to fame as the mathematician genius on Countdown opposite Richard Whiteley.
The 56-year-old beauty, who graduated from Cambridge back in 1981, has opened up about becoming a victim of cyber crime.
Carol Vorderman, who was last week pictured on the NTA red carpet, is now working alongside Scam Academy – part of Financial Fraud Action UK’s Take Five campaign to help Britons become more aware of fraud.
Speaking candidly to Express.co.uk, Carol said: “I’ve been a victim of credit card fraud myself. It was horrible, disconcerting, scary and an invasion of privacy.
“It also feels a bit embarrassing and you feel a bit stupid – and that is absolutely not how people should feel.
“Don’t suffer in silence. I’ve learnt, through this campaign, that no one should feel embarrassed – fraud needs to be reported and discussed.
“Of course you must report it to your bank and the police, but it’s also important to tell your friends and family too so that they know what to watch out for.
“Since this happened to me, I’ve been much more aware.”
Financial Fraud Action UK is fronting a national campaign to help consumers and businesses stop fraud.
Carol became involved with the campaign – which aims to make the public aware of the methods fraudsters use to glean financial and personal details – to prove it can be something which can happen to anyone.
She explained: “As a victim of financial fraud myself, I wanted to be part of something which helps educate and inform everyone on the signs to look out for. If I can play a small part in preventing someone becoming a victim of fraud, then that can only be a good thing.
“Over the course of a day, we had three scam expert lecturers take us through three types of scam – email, text and phone.
“I found the number spoofing terrifying and I didn’t realise it could be so convincing – the fact that someone can text you, pretending to be a trusted brand or bank, and infiltrate the existing text strands, is so scary.”
The star admitted she feels very protective of all her relatives and friends – not limited to just the elderly.
She said: “What Scam Academy has taught me though, is that anyone can become a victim of fraud – it’s not just the elderly who are targeted.
“There are different scams to infiltrate and target all demographics. The most important advice I can offer to anyone – is to Take Five before disclosing any financial or personal details.
“If you get an email or text and you’re not sure of its origins, call the organisation on a trusted number instead. For example, if it’s from the bank, use the number on your bank’s website or on the back of your payment card and just check with them. It doesn’t hurt to Take Five and if it genuinely is your bank, they won’t rush you and they definitely won’t mind you calling them back.”
She advised people should not rush to hand over any details either – scammers will make it sound like the situation is urgent, and will try and rush you to hand over your details.
Again, Take Five, and think careful about what it is your being asked to provide.
Scam Academy is part of the Take Five financial fraud prevention campaign led by Financial Fraud Action UK, (a national campaign to help consumers and businesses stop fraud).
Scam Academy aims to make consumers aware of the often simple methods – both emotional and technical – that fraudsters use to glean financial and personal details. To see all three films and for further information and advice please go to https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/
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