• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
Man scammed out of thousands while on holiday after his identity was sold on dark web issues important warning to others

Home> News

Published 15:48 9 Oct 2024 GMT+1

Man scammed out of thousands while on holiday after his identity was sold on dark web issues important warning to others

The man received a bank notification to say thousands had been taken from his account

Rikki Loftus

Rikki Loftus

A man who was scammed out of thousands while on holiday after his identity was sold on the dark web has issued an important warning to others.

The science teacher has lost £3,500 ($4,577) out of his savings which a hacker used to pay for a hotel and drinks tab.

Matthew Shaw found out about the scam while he was on vacation in Cornwall, UK, with his wife Davina.

PA
PA

Advert

His bank sent a notification to his phone to let him know that he had just spent thousands on a hotel stay.

In a panic, the couple were forced to end their trip early as they tried to resolve the problem.

According to The Mirror, Matthew spoke to his bank who said that a hacker had used his identity after finding his details on the dark web.

Luckily, he was able to get the money refunded back into his account around a week later.

Advert

After tightening his security measures, the 27-year-old says that he’s since had at least six or seven unauthorized attempts to gain access to his email account.

Recalling the event, he said: “I had a notification at the top of my phone saying, £3,500 has been paid to a hotel.

“I thought, ‘Oh my God, what is this?’, and I rang First Direct straight away and said, ‘This is not me’. They were going through their security questions, but I was just panicking and thinking, ‘All my money's gone - that was our savings for a house and it's all gone.’”

PA
PA

Advert

The biggest change that Matthew has made was enabling two-factor authentication on his email account, something he says he didn’t previously have.

And now, he’s issued an important warning to others to encourage them to tighten up their own online security measures.

Speaking to The Mirror, Matthew said: “You just don't think it's going to happen to you until it happens. If I can educate at least one person - like my job as a teacher - then I've done my job.”

A First Direct spokesperson said: “Protecting our customers from fraud and scams is a key priority for us and we have a range of features in place to spot unusual activity on an account and protect our customers’ money. In this case, we’re really pleased we were able to intervene when Mr Shaw's details were compromised and refund the money promptly.

Advert

“It is also standard practice for us to offer additional support to those customers who are victims of fraud, to give them extra assurances when making further payments so they feel confident and supported when managing their account.”

Featured Image Credit: PA Media / Witthaya Prasongsin / Getty
News
Money
Cybersecurity

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

2 hours ago
4 hours ago
5 hours ago
  • 2 hours ago

    Calls for popular smartphone to be banned from planes after another device catches fire

    Users fear Pixel 6a could spark mid-flight

    News
  • 4 hours ago

    What actually happens on a cruise during a tsunami as passengers report being 'left behind'

    There are important protocols to avoid a nautical disaster

    News
  • 4 hours ago

    68,000,000 Xbox gamers to be impacted by controversial new age laws

    Xbox is now rolling out new procedures in order for its UK players to verify their identity

    News
  • 5 hours ago

    Resurfaced plans show how cars were nearly able to drive around the Eiffel Tower

    We could have had a drive-thru Eiffel Tower

    News
  • Hacker with over 3 decades experience shares the scariest things he’s seen on the dark web
  • Fascinating animation shows exactly how the FBI would catch you on the dark web
  • Popular YouTuber joins Dark Web chat room to expose what people are really like on there
  • FBI issues important warning to all iPhone and Android users to hang up if they hear this on a call