Scam texts making the rounds

Rosie_Scope

Hi everyone! A couple of us on the online community team have received some worrying scam texts lately, so we just wanted to warn you all. This is the message I've had through:

The text reads:
"Please note that after deliberation by the government, it has been decided that the Living allowance from 2023 to 2024 will be fully applied and issued online. You have met the requirements, but our communications officer could not contact you, please confirm whether you need help or not. If you choose to give up, your place will be left for someone who needs it more. Your confirmation date is November 12.

[they include a website link here]

Thank you for your cooperation. May you have a wonderful and warm winter."

So just a quick reminder to stay cautious! Don't click any links or enter your details for anything that looks suspicious. This text came from a number somewhere in India, so it was easy for me to sniff it out, but scammers can be very convincing sometimes and often have tactics to make themselves look more official than they are.

If you're not sure about anything you receive by text or email, it's better to be safe and contact any government agencies by the details listed on their official website. They'll be able to confirm whether something is real or not.

Stay safe out there 😎

Sandy_123

Loads of scams about I keep reporting them

Rosie_Scope

It's good you've been reporting them @Sandy_123. My phone has a report function too, so I report them as spam and block the number. Not sure how much difference it makes, but I do it anyway!

@Biblioklept You can also forward spam texts to the free spam service on 7726:

Report the phish | Action Fraud

I've had scam texts about parcels in the past, but this one was particularly grim to me. I'd hate to think that people might end up in trouble by clicking these things just because they're desperate for some extra financial help. Really feeding off people's vulnerabilities 😔

Sandy_123

It usually comes up report as scam on my phone @Biblioklept

whistles

A genuine message would NEVER state we will offer it to someone who needs it more!

That needs fully reporting to the phone provider and the police.

Rosie_Scope

Totally @whistles! It's designed to get people feeling desperate and clicking on that link. There are definitely some big signs in the way that it's written that show that it's not an official text, so I hope anyone else who received it managed to see through it too.

I've reported it to the Police's Action Fraud and my phone network so they can investigate.

Jimm_Scope

Many phones will also have an option to report a number for spam! Often in the options on the contact of the number.