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SCAM - ENERGY GOV SUPPORT

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 13:35:55 GMT

'SMISHING' with government energy help.

In the wake of global energy crisis, the UK government is helping its citizens out with support payments.

The money is coming direct from the energy companies (or the government in rare circumstances).

Scammers invent a new scam

In the early days, scammers were texting asking for you debit card details to give you your government support.

Results
The scammers would then clone your card and empty your bank account.

If that doesn't work, they will then call you pretending to be your bank, leading on to the ' Safe Account Scam' .

GOLDEN RULES:

NEVER EVER click on ANY link in ANY message.
NEVER trust the source of any text messages.

SMISHING

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 11:27:59 GMT

'SMISHING' is where scammers send a fake text message.

Legitimate companies use software for text reminders, thus if you don't have the name/number stored in your phone, you know who the reminder is from; such as hospital, dentist appointments or bank message for codes and new payment creations.

Fraudsters use the same software to send fake messages with links demanding a small some of money.

Why do they work

Because they are so vague, the circumstances can apply to almost anybody.

The scammers also alter the message for any current situation in the news.

Even a small number of hits from victims, yields big bucks for the scammers.

Adapting the scam - example
When a major even hits the news, scammers use it to cash in on people under pressure.

When covid hit and we went into lockdown, thousands of holiday's got cancelled and travellers wanted/needed their money back.

Travel companies already have your card details from when you booked your trip, so they don't need to ask for them to issue a refund.

Scammers sent messages, asking for your bank card details so they can give you a refund. Would be victims would be enter their card details.

RESULTS

They take money from your bank.
They clone your car and sell your details.
They call back pretending to be from your bank, informing you your account is under attack --> this leads onto the safe account scam.

GOLDEN RULES:

NEVER EVER click on ANY link in ANY message.
NEVER trust the source of any text messages.

SAFE ACCOUNT SCAM

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 11:27:59 GMT

THE SAFE ACCOUNT SCAM (also known as) ' PUSH PAYMENT FRAUD '

Push Payment Fraud
So named because the scammers convince you to authorise the payment to the scammers, thus you push the money.

How it works
It starts often with a text message asking for £1-2 such as parcel delivery.

If you click and pay, it will be followed up by a phone call from your bank.....or so you think.

They convince you they are from your bank and your bank account is under attack - using the tools below.

Number spoofing
When customer support staff call you back from a different office location or even home working, their computer software sends out the main office number, so you know who it calling; this was the genuine application.

Fraudster use the same software to make you believe they are calling from your bank.

The problem, they catch you during a busy or stressful time, they put the pressure on and you panic and don't have the time to think clearly.

Bank Card Numbers (debit, credit, charge & store cards)
The first 4 digits of all bank cards globally are unique to your bank; it tells the banking world who your bank is so they can bill your bank knows.

Once you have fallen for the text above, the fraudsters know which bank you are with, thus know which phone number is on the back of your card and then display it on you caller I.D.

TIP : A bank staff member told me, they are running out of account numbers they don't have enough account numbers to go issuing new account numbers - THERE IS SO SUCH THING AS A SAFE ACCOUNT.

TIP: Banks will NEVER ask you to move money to any new bank account.