Text Fraud Alert #FraudFree2026

Good afternoon,

Our counterparts in Kent Police contacted us to warn of another type of text fraud.  

You will receive a text stating your bank/credit card has been added to an APPLE PAY wallet and asks you to phone a number to verify your identity.  This is a form of phishing (smishing) text to gather your personal/financial information in order to defraud you further.

APPLE state they do not call or text to warn you of issues, they will not text you and ask you to call a number, and they will never ask for codes, passwords or PINs, they will never email or message you with links or ask you to download software.

If you receive this type of message, please ignore it and do not respond.  You can forward it to 7726 if possible, or your phone provider may offer you the option to report it to them, then block the sender and delete the message.

Please do share this important update with friends and family and encourage them to sign up for their own Hampshire Alert: https://www.hampshirealert.co.uk/ 

Hampshire Alerts is not a crime reporting portal – please do not report crime here.

If you realise you’ve been defrauded and wish to report a fraud that has already happened, please report it to Report Fraud either by phone 0300 123 2040 or online at:  https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/

However, if a fraud or other crime is in progress, and/or you are in fear for yourself or someone else, and/or there is evidence in situ that could be damaged/destroyed, please phone 999 immediately. 

Otherwise, report non-fraud crime online, or find out about other ways to report a crime at: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

If you would like to report a crime anonymously please contact: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or phone 0800 555 111

If you've been affected by a crime please contact Victim Care Hub for free, confidential, support:  https://www.hampshireiowvictimcare.co.uk/  or phone 0808 178 1641

If you’ve received a phishing email please report it to your email provider and/or forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk 

If you’ve received unwanted phone calls or texts from people you think are trying to scam you, but you haven’t engaged with them, please forward the text/phone number to 7726 or your phone provider.

Thank you – Fraud Safeguarding Team