One of the themes for unpleasant scams doing the rounds at the moment is playing on Covid-19 and vaccinations. Many messages now look very real and pretend to come from the NHS and other reputable sources. So it’s really important to watch out for these (and warn others) and not to click or follow through on these scams.
We’ve posted an article just about these scams here. Remember that you will never be asked for banking details or other personal information and the vaccine is free. The NHS also explains exactly how they will contact you. Have a read of our article and stay safe.
Warning from the local Policing team about supposed “issues with your internet”
There is a really aggressive phone call going round, where they say there is an issue with your internet. They say they are from TalkTalk and this covers the whole of the UK
They want your ip addresses to hold people to ransom. If you don’t know what an ip is – phew. But if you do – don’t give it to anyone.
In case they don’t change the number, the call came from 04586 803066
When the person answering wouldn’t play ball, they got really abusive and threatening.
The call starts with a recorded message.
So: PLEASE BE WARY WHEN ANSWERING NUMBER DISPLAY CALLS WHERE YOU DO NOT RECOGNISE THAT NUMBER – GENUINE CALLS WILL LEAVE A GENUINE MESSAGE.
DO NOT SAY “YES” WHEN ANSWERING THE PHONE – THEY CAN RECORD THAT WORD YOU SAID, AND USE IT AS AGREEMENT FOR ALL SORTS OF SCAMS !!
It’s worth being very cautious these days.
Police Guide to Fraud Prevention
Humberside Police are circulating a guide to Fraud Prevention. Lots of advice in here about how to protect yourself against fraud and scams. Worth a read. Includes up to date Covid-19 scam advice too.
Have you read the page about Scams on the Humberside Police website? You should. It’s here.
Personal data and secondhand devices
An interesting one this. With home schooling being a big issue these days, a lot of people are changing computers and devices. Perhaps buying new ones or secondhand ones or disposing of their old ones. So here’s some good newly released advice from the National Cyber Security Centre about what to do to erase your personal data from your old device (when getting rid of it) or from a new device you’ve received. https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/buying-selling-second-hand-devices
Why? Because personal data is a great way for Scammers and Fraudsters (aka Criminals) to get to your data and money. So keep your data safe even when getting rid of a device. Don’t forget the mantra – “my data? My money? No way”.
TV Licence scam
Recently spotted: Messages along the lines of
“TV Licence: Records show that you are eligible for a full refund due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Please visit: https://www.tvlincence.net/”
This is of course a scam. There is no refund. Simply another example of a scam message that is supposed to get you to click. Once you click you’re opening yourself up to the scam. Much better to check the information separately from a reputable source. So whether it’s a bank contacting you; a delivery firm; an online shopping site – they’re all scams unless you happen to have been specifically and deliberately in contact with that organisation. Please beware.
That’s it for this week’s bulletin.
Stay safe and stay vigilant.