Money Mule

Have you ever been offered easy money to transfer unknown funds through your savings account? Or has someone asked you to open a savings account in your name for someone else to use?

If so, you could be taking part in money laundering—and that makes you what is known as a "money mule."

Even if you’re unaware of the source or destination of the money, acting as a money mule can have serious consequences. Your accounts may be frozen or permanently closed, and you could face criminal charges, including possible prison time.

Money laundering is a method used to conceal money gained through illegal activities. It helps finance serious crimes like terrorism, weapons proliferation, drug trafficking, and human smuggling. By getting involved, you risk your financial security, your freedom, and the safety of your loved ones.

Money laundering is a method used to conceal money gained through illegal activities. It helps finance serious crimes like terrorism, weapons proliferation, drug trafficking, and human smuggling. By getting involved, you risk your financial security, your freedom, and the safety of your loved ones.

 

How to protect yourself

  • Stay alert and trust your gut—if an offer seems too good to be true, it likely is.
  • Legitimate financial institutions and businesses will never ask you to move money or open accounts on their behalf.
  • Never open a savings account in your name for someone else.
  • Keep your account information and passwords strictly confidential—never share them with anyone.
  • If a criminal persuades you to withdraw money and hand it over, you may never get it back.
  • Never accept money from unknown sources — you usually know when to expect a payment and who it's coming from.
  • Do your due diligence, research job offers and their corresponding companies

What to do

If you suspect that someone has tried recruiting you, or someone you know, as a money mule, you can help protect yourself and others by reporting it. Contact your local police on 101, or call 999 in an emergency.

If you would rather stay anonymous, you can report your concerns to the independent charity Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111.

 

To be clear, a bank or Building Society will never:

  • Ask you to disclose your PIN number or other passwords for your accounts
  • Encourage you to move funds from your own account into a different “safe” account
  • Encourage you to order and pay for UK cash via the phone or internet.
  • Charge up front fees for repayment holidays
  • Make home visits to collect mortgage arrears on your doorstep
  • Demand an immediate payment of mortgage arrears over the phone
  • Demand payment of mortgage arrears via email providing you with a link through which to make payments. Individuals who approach you saying that they are building society employees and who pressurise you in the ways outlined above are criminals.

How to report fraud

If you think you've been a victim of fraud or if you suspect fraudulent activity on your account with us, please contact us to report it immediately.

We may monitor or record our calls for security purposes.

You can also report this to Action fraud on 0300 123 2040 (Lines open 24 hours a day.)

Looking for more information:

These sites give information on how to bank online safely and how to avoid fraud and identity theft. They have information on common scams and where to find out information on the latest viruses and Trojans. None of these sites or vendors are specifically endorsed or recommended by Swansea Building Society.

www.financialfraudaction.org.uk

www.identitytheft.org.uk

www.ukpayments.org.uk

www.getsafeonline.org

www.cardwatch.org.uk

www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk

www.actionfraud.police.uk

www.cifas.org.uk/individuals

www.fca.org.uk/consumers

www.cyberaware.gov.uk