The increase in fraud in recent years has resulted in Swedish private individuals being cheated of huge sums.
In 2023, 238,371 fraud crimes were reported, which was then an increase of 22 percent compared to the year before. The types of fraud crimes that then increased the most were card fraud and fraud through social manipulation.
In addition, the fraudsters’ criminal profits in 2023 amounted to a whopping SEK 7.5 billion.
Against this background, several companies, authorities and banks have issued warnings to the public. The reason is that their names are often used for fraudulent purposes in order to gain the trust of their victims.
The latest in line to warn their customers and the general public are both Länsförsäkringar and Ica Banken, whose names have been exploited by fraudsters.
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Fraud increased in 2023. Photo: Caisa Rasmussen/TT
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The Swedish Tax Agency: They risk being exploited
But it is not only through fraud that private individuals are at risk of being exploited.
In working life, there is also the risk of being exploited by not being paid or that an employer commits rule violations.
It has now caused several authorities to speak up and act. Including the Tax Agency.
Through an information campaign, the Swedish Tax Agency and the other authorities hope to spread knowledge to workers in Sweden so that the risk of being exploited is reduced.
“Together with other authorities, the Swedish Tax Agency carries out a targeted information campaign for people who are at risk of being exploited, or have been exploited in the labor market. The purpose of the campaign is to spread information about the rights that exist for those who work in Sweden,” they write on the website.
– In the campaign, we are targeting vulnerable workers directly and informing them of the rights they have when they work in Sweden. It is important to know your rights in order not to be taken advantage of. We also highlight the opportunities for support that exist and examples of organizations and actors that can provide support and help, says Nina Blomkvist national coordinator at the Swedish Tax Agency’s crime-fighting department in one press release.
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Photo: Janerik Henriksson/TTSkatteverket: We must combat workplace crime
In order for you as an employee not to be exposed to or at risk of ending up in workplace crime, several advertisements in different languages will appear on social media between September 9-22.
Criminal companies that attract workers are considered unscrupulous and receive an undeserved share of tax money to which they are not entitled, says the Swedish Tax Agency.
“Nine authorities work together on behalf of the government to counter workplace crime by stopping rule violations and other crime in working life. In addition to preventive work, the authorities carry out joint checks in various personnel-intensive industries such as car workshops, construction, beauty salons and restaurants.
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