Forum Topic

scams & technology

This afternoon I received a text from Royal Mail telling me that they were unable to deliver a parcel and giving me instructions on how to rearrange delivery.  I was in fact expecting a parcel..  Not long after that a full-screen message appeared, on a bright red screen, stating Deceptive Website Warning saying that the text was trying to trick me into giving informationOn reflection Royal Mail had not left a note through the door which they always do if unable to deliver, but at the time you don't necessarily think that quickly.

Barbara Shillabeer ● 1863d5 Comments

And finally, the truth and sound advice from Ofcom, but unfortunately it will be several years before it's rectified. Don't trust caller identity and don't give out information to callers, always call back on a verified number.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56934517

Michael Ixer ● 1822d

Completely agree with all the data collection.  It is not necessary.  The more people who have it the harder it is to control it.

Philippa Bond ● 1822d

Article in the Sunday Times today “There’s a Fraudster on the Line.  Why can’t phone companies stop him?”  It mentions again the £2.99 Royal Mail scam plus other scams on phoney websites. Under that article is another interesting piece “When someone asks for my data, I lie”.  The journalist says “far too many shops and websites demand every bit of data about us”.  I agree why can’t we shop and just buy goods without being asked for so much information.

Martine Guy ● 1822d

And another unpleasant "delivery company" scam that tries to get you to install a malware app on Android phones ...https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-56859091

Michael Ixer ● 1829d

This fraud is detailed on Page 63 of The Times today.  A young opera singer was scammed for £8,640.  He received the text message requesting £2.99 for unpaid postage fee from Royal Mail and clicked on the link in the text message and entered his card details, email address and phone number. Realising it might be a scam, he cancelled the card and was told by his bank no money had been taken. A few days later he had a phone call from a man pretending to be from the fraud team of his bank.  Although they could see the card was cancelled, they were concerned his banking app. had been compromised by a virus from the original link on the text message.  He was told he needed to move his money to a temporary safe account.  He did so and the money was stolen. The bank have not refunded the money.

Martine Guy ● 1829d