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Scam attempt

whufcjay

I’ve posted before but starting to worry now , I was sent a txt from the DWP reminding me to claim for the winter fuel payment , I clicked the link and gave my name address and email and clicked next on what looked like an official DWP site, it then sent me to a page to send my bank details , by this point I’d realised it was a scam so didn’t put in any bank details and closed and reported the txt , but now I’ve been told scammers can pose as me and open bank accounts or buy expensive items in my name , should I worry about this, as I’ve give my id to sites before just for buying clothes so I guess they could get anyone’s Id

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Comments

Holly_Alumni

Hi @whufcjay unfortunately there's always a possibility when sharing details. Have you reported this to the police and your bank? I'm so sorry that this has happened. It's awful.

whufcjay

I didn’t give my bank details , only my name and email and anyone can view them so I don’t think it’s a police or bank matter , I’m just worried about them stealing my ID and buying things in my name , but I doubt that would happen

Holly_Alumni

I see. If you've not shared your banking information, or forms of ID you're probably right and I think you should be ok. It's just not a very nice thing to experience is it.

whufcjay

???? So what ! I couldn’t find where I posted it before so made a new thread , is it really that big a deal 😂

rubin16

Just to give you abit of piece of mind, anyone anywhere can get peoples name and address. You can look up literally anyone name and address anywhere in the UK. I don't think it was just name and addresses the scammers wanted to know but other your banking information, especially your card information. Name and address alone can't make a person steal your identity, it would need more information, such as your DOB, NI Number etc.

Just make sure you have tight security set up though on your email (2FA). Emails are the first attack point a hacker/scammer would try get access too. Once anyone has access to your email they have access to most accounts and information. As mentioned previously make sure to delete any cookies you may of downloaded. Cookies can be a form of spyware and can track you. Cookies are installed on every website you visit and can be installed on any device.

From the looks of things, they were processing cards that were imputted on their fake site and only charging £1 to identify. When in theory this £1 charge is a preauthorisation charge that only charges you £1 to check you have funds to cover the transaction and to check your card is valid. Once you have authorised it, they can change the amount to anything later on and you have in theory already authorised the transaction.

I very much doubt that they are looking at stealing identity's, but with the information you provided anyway it is very unlikely they would persue you further. The information you gave them is already easily available if anyone wanted it and can't be used alone to steal your indentity. It was more of a cash grab from the looks of things.

On another note, this is sick. Targetting people who need winter fuel allowance is disgusting.