DWP issues 'beware' warning over scam text message being sent to mobile phones
Stop! Think Fraud has also offered some advice on what to look out for to avoid being the victim of a scam
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an alert about a scam text message being sent out, telling people to "beware". Scam text messages are being sent out to people offering support with energy bills, according to the DWP.
Posting to X and Facebook, the department offered advice on June 5, the Liverpool Echo reports. It said: "Beware: If you get a text about an "Energy Support Scheme" it is a scam."
DWP has also advised how you can report and recover from any suspicious texts, phone calls or emails by using a government campaign.
"Stop! Think Fraud" is a UK government campaign aimed at educating the public and protecting them from fraud, particularly online and in person.
On the campaign website, it states: "Fraudsters aren’t fussy. They’ll pick on anyone.
"Nobody is immune from fraud. The criminals behind it target people online and in their homes, often emotionally manipulating their victims before they steal money or personal data."
Stop! Think Fraud are urging people to "stay vigilant" and take a "moment" to stop, think and check whenever they're approached. A reminder to secure online accounts with 2-step verification (2SV), has also been issued.
This type of verification adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts, especially your email, by working to verify the identity of who is logging into your account. It can be turned on in a matter of minutes – and help keep fraudsters out.
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Sometimes called 2-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA), 2SV can usually be found in the security settings of your account and is available for most of the major online services, such as email, banking, and social media.
Fraud accounts for almost 41% of all crime - with 1 in 15 adults in England and Wales being victims of fraud in just one year, according to Crime Survey for England and Wales, year ending June 2024.
Stop! Think Fraud says: "Nobody is immune from fraud. We can all be more alert to the risks, and we can all do more to protect ourselves."
Explaining a key method to prevent fraud, advice from the government campaign is: "One of our best weapons against fraud is knowledge. Once you know the tactics fraudsters commonly use and the signs to look out for, you have more chance of avoiding them."
Warning signs to watch out for
- Authority or a ‘trusted’ voice - criminals can pretend to be important people or a well-known organisation, often using their logo and branding
- Deepfakes - Fraudsters may use artificial intelligence to create convincing deepfakes. These are digitally created or altered content, often fake images, videos and audio recordings
- False urgency - Anyone who tries to rush you into a decision should not be trusted
- Emotion - Criminals will often use emotional levers to make you follow your heart not your head
- Scarcity - Criminals will often use fear of missing out on a good deal or opportunity to make you respond quickly
- Current events - Criminals often exploit current news stories, big events or specific times of year
- Building relationships - Fraudsters often try to earn your trust by building rapport and finding shared interests before they ask you for money or personal information
You should also be wary if anyone:
- asks you to share a one-time-passcode
- asks for your PIN or password in full
- asks for payment before sending a prize or lost delivery
- asks for a direct transfer of cash or cryptocurrency
- asks you to move away from an official payment site to make a direct payment
- asks for money before you’ve met in person
- asks you to click on suspicious link