|
Hi Resident If you find this information helpful please “rate” this message at the bottom (very quick and simple). Fake texts are often short and simple, but the fraudsters use cunning tactics to make them believable. They can even ‘spoof’ the mobile number they message from, so it appears in the same thread as a genuine contact such as your bank. However, there are a number of signs that the message might be fake, so here’s how to spot a suspicious message. Be wary if you see: an ‘irresistible’ product offer or prize from a number or company you don’t knowan urgent alert about security, for example your bank account details have been compromiseda message about a product or service you haven’t purchased or requesteda delivery company demanding you pay a fee before they deliver a parcelan appeal from a family member asking you to send moneyencouragement to click on an unknown link – if you’re not sure, visit the organisation’s website directly rather than clicking througha request for you to share personal datalanguage designed to create a sense of urgency or panicmessages sent outside normal business hours, especially if they’re very late at night or very early in the morningWhat to do if you suspect fraudIf you’ve seen something that doesn’t feel right, STOP! break the contact – don’t reply, click on any links or make any paymentscheck if it’s genuine: contact the person or company directly, using a phone number you already have and know is correctforward the message for free to 7726What to do if you’ve already responded to the messageDon’t panic! What you do next depends on whether you’ve replied, clicked a link, sent information or made a payment. Take a look at our advice on what to do if you’ve been a victim of fraud.
|
