This month, NFU Cymru teamed up with NatWest and Dyfed-Powys Police to host a ‘Securing your farming future’ seminar.

Held in S4C’s headquarters in Carmarthen, the day consisted of an overview of the policy and economic landscape alongside a workshop on how to protect your family and businesses from fraud and digital crimes.

Attendees heard from Officer Allen Rush (Dyfed-Powys Police Economic and Cyber Crime unit) and John Allcock (NatWest Fraud Prevention) who gave an in-depth look at the respective roles the police and banking sector play in preventing financial crimes. Both told attendees that the biggest scams facing businesses and consumers in the UK are commonly phishing, ransomware and AI generated fraudulent messages, all of which rely on human error and emotion.

Mr Allcock demonstrated to the room how scammers operate, using a reenactment of a real 40-minutephone call where thieves successfully posed as a bank’s fraud department asking a company finance officer to unknowingly give details to a fake website. He warned that many take advantage of times where they know their targets are busier or where bigger purchases may be made, therefore leaving many unsurprised or with little time to think if someone posing as their bank reaches out. For farmers and those living in rural areas this may be at harvest or lambing time where spare time is short and the mind is distracted, as well as market and show seasons when bigger purchases would be expected.

The police’s advice is simple – verify everything. We are all encouraged to “pause, check and protect” when contacted for personal or financial information, even when it may look familiar or professional. Banks and other financial institutions will never ask for your PIN, your online banking passwords, ask you to download any software or take control of your device remotely.

Both the Police and NatWest urged members attending the event to report any suspicious contact or interactions with potential scammers to police as action can, and will, be taken within hours to ensure no one else is victim to such crimes. If you’ve been affected by any of these issues or experienced cybercrime, contact Action Fraud online or call 0300 123 2040.