If you own a smartphone you need to be on high alert for these dangerous text messages.
UK iPhone and Android owners need to be cautious when checking their latest text messages. That’s advice from Virgin Media O2 who say scammers are using new and old methods in a bid to trick to consumers into clicking on data-stealing links.
According to the UK network and broadband provider, there has been a surge in fake text attacks with cyber crooks currently trying to cash in by using messages that claim ‘ECO4’ energy efficiency grants are up for grabs.
These texts suggest there are “free” upgrades for homes to help reduce energy costs. Of course, in reality the messages are simply trying to trick people into handing over personal data and payment details.
Virgin Media O2 says energy scams have rocketed up the league this year. In fact, they are now the fourth most common texts reported and blocked by the UK firm.
“The rise in fraudulent messages linked to government schemes designed to tackle fuel poverty shows that scammers will stop at nothing when it comes to targeting their victims,” explained Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud at Virgin Media O2.
“That’s why it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant and take time before acting on an unexpected text. We blocked more than 89 million fraudulent texts from reaching customers last year, but with fraudsters continuously using new tactics to pray on their victims, we encourage customers to help by reporting suspicious messages for free to 7726 so we can investigate and stop scammers in their tracks.”
If you get a text telling you you could save money on energy and you are not sure you trust the sender then be very careful before replying or clicking on links.
Of course, that’s not the only text to watch out for.
Virgin says the infamous ‘Hi Mum/Hi Dad’ messages – where scammers pretend to be someone’s child texting from a new or friend’s mobile number because their phone is broken, lost or stolen – continue to top the list.
Victims of this scam have already handed over thousands of pounds and it remains one to watch out for.
‘Hi Mum/Hi Dad’ was followed by sham bank payment texts in Virgin’s top 5 list.
Fake package delivery texts – where fraudsters claim to be from well-known and trusted companies to try and deceive people into revealing sensitive information – remain popular with crooks.
If you get a dodgy text it’s a good idea to forward it to 7726. This free service checks texts and can then block others from receiving them.
Virgin Media O2 says it managed to block 89 million texts from reaching customers in 2023 but some will inevitably slip through the net which is why it’s so important to stay alert.
