Hackers Can Steal Your Number: Here's How to Fight Back (SIM Swap Scam)

Sim swapping, also known as SIM hijacking or SIM splitting, is a sneaky way hackers can steal your money and personal information. Here's how it works:

The Scam:

1. Intel Gathering: Sim swappers first collect your personal details like address, birthdate, and possibly even info about your phone plan. They might use phishing emails, buy information on the dark web, or even trick you into revealing it unwittingly.
2. Impersonating You: With your personal details, the hacker calls your mobile carrier pretending to be you. They claim to have lost their phone (which is actually your phone number) and request a SIM swap to a new SIM card (which they control).
3. Taking Over Your Number: If the social engineering is successful, the carrier unwittingly transfers your number to the hacker's SIM card. Now all calls, texts, and even two-factor authentication codes sent to your number will go to the hacker's device.
4. Draining Accounts: With control over your phone number, hackers can bypass two-factor authentication and access your bank accounts, email, and other online accounts. They can then drain your funds, make unauthorised purchases, or even impersonate you to scam others.

Protecting Yourself:

• Be Wary of Unsolicited Calls & Emails: Don't reveal personal details over calls or emails from unknown sources. Contact your mobile carrier directly if you receive suspicious requests about your account.
• Enable PIN/Password on SIM: Many carriers allow adding a PIN or password to your SIM card. This extra layer of security makes it harder for someone to impersonate you and get a SIM swap.
• Use Security Apps: Consider using security apps that offer two-factor authentication beyond SMS verification. Options like authenticator apps on your phone or hardware security keys can provide stronger protection.
• Be Mindful of Social Media: Avoid sharing excessive personal details on social media, as this can be a goldmine for information for hackers.

By following these steps, you can make it much harder for SIM swappers to steal your identity and your money. If you suspect you've been a victim of a SIM swap, contact your mobile carrier immediately and report the incident.

How Sim Swap Hackers Steal Millions

How to Lock SIM Card on any Android Phone! [SIM PIN Unlock]

How To Enable SIM PIN Lock On iPhone 15 & iPhone 15 Pro

Further information at 

https://bexleywatch.blogspot.com/2023/12/what-is-sim-swap-fraud.html

Channel 5 Phone Scams: Don't Get Caught Out (26 Apr 2024)

MPS Weekly Message

Policing protests: There has been significant attention over the past week on an incident in central London, and the subsequent responses to it by ourselves and others in which Gideon Falter, the Director of the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), was prevented from crossing the direct path of a recent march where demonstrators were calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

 

The encounter with Mr Falter understandably drew criticism as in the process of explaining why officers were preventing him from stepping into the path of the march, a Sergeant used language, including the phrase “openly Jewish”, for which the Met has apologised. The incident was captured on video and circulated by the CAA and later a longer version, captured by Sky News, was published.

 

The Commissioner spoke to the Guardian newspaper about the incident, making it clear that the officer at the scene was correct to prevent Mr Falter and his party from coming into contact with the protestors but that we apologised for the language used.  He said: “The sergeant at the scene clearly assessed that there was a risk of confrontation and was trying to help Mr Falter find a different route. I completely understand why the sergeant made this assessment. A couple of turns of phrase were clumsy and offensive … and we’ve apologised for that. The wider actions and intent of the officer were professional and in the best tradition of British police trying to prevent disorder.”

 

We remain focused on doing everything possible to ensure Jewish Londoners feel safe in this city and we know this event and some of our recent actions have contributed to concerns so it is crucial we listen to those feeling unsafe to go about their daily lives and take immediate action to address their concerns. Their experiences must continue to shape our plans.

 

Mr Falter has been invited to meet with senior Met officers to discuss what more police can do to ensure Jewish Londoners feel safe and earlier this week officers met representatives of London’s Jewish communities, to jointly take part in a planning session for the forthcoming march organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and counter protests which are expected to take place on Saturday in central London. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley also spoke with senior representatives from the Jewish community in a number of meetings this week - including from the London Jewish Forum, Community Security Trust and Board of Deputies of British Jews.

 

Policing protest is complex and challenging, but we will do everything we can to constantly develop our approach, including seeking the support and insight of all voices who can help us to ensure the trust and confidence of all Londoners.

 

On Friday afternoon, Assistant Commissioner Matthew Twist briefed media about our approach to the coming weekend protest. He set the context that there had already been 12 national protests by the PSC in central London attracting between 300,000 and 5-10,000 more recently. The policing of these has cost around £38.5m and nearly 45,000 officer shifts. During these protests there have been 415 arrests, 193 for Antisemitic hate crimes and 15 for terrorism offences – mostly for showing support for Hamas.

 

He recognised the cumulative impact of these protests – particularly on Jewish communities, organisations and individuals. He also explained that the only situation in which the police could seek to ban a march was if there was a threat of very serious disorder – rioting or serious violence that could not be dealt with by other restrictions or conditions.

 

AC Twist was clear that the Met’s role is to prevent crime and keep the peace and that in the context of protest we seek to do this by keeping opposing groups apart using conditions and other legal powers. He was clear that is done without fear or favour and that we had previously prevented pro-Palestinian vehicle convoys driving through mainly Jewish parts of London.

 

AC Twist stated that we had placed conditions on the PSC March to follow a route from Parliament Square to Hyde park and for a counter protest by Enough if Enough group to remain in Pall Mall. Shortly before the briefing the CAA had informed the Met that their earlier plans for a number of counter protests had been cancelled. AC Twist encouraged anyone planning any demonstration to engage with police.

 

This weekend is expected to be a busy one and a significant operation will be in place to ensure people’s rights to protest can be exercised peacefully and safely. For the latest updates keep an eye on our news website and follow our Twitter/X account.

 

Public order policing was again in the spotlight on Tuesday afternoon when the Met had to deploy to Whitehall where a rally for St George’s day descended into violence resulting in six people being arrested. An area was allocated for this event in Richmond Terrace. A group of people went past it and continued up Whitehall. When officers formed a cordon and asked the group to turn round, they reacted by violently forcing their way through. Mounted officers intervened with horses to restore the cordon.

 

Charges for pro-Hamas posts: Our determination to pursue anyone suspected of breaking the law in their response to the ongoing situation in Gaza was highlighted by the recent charging of a women for a social media post as part of an investigation into online support of proscribed terrorist group Hamas. Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “This investigation came as a result of members of the public referring social media content into our Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit. Any content referred gets carefully assessed and I hope this example shows that we take this extremely seriously and that we will take action if and where we identify potential terrorist or criminal activity.”

 

Stephen Lawrence day: Monday should have been a day where we focussed on remembering Stephen Lawrence, his legacy and the hugely positive impact the campaign by his family and others have had on improving the way police investigate murders and engage with communities. However, much of the media focus was understandably on a letter of apology the Commissioner sent to Baroness Lawrence for failing to keep her updated with our response to a BBC News report published late last year, that identified what they felt were new lines of inquiry into Stephen’s murder. Although we have not identified any additional viable lines of inquiry as a result of the BBC report, recognising the concerns held by Baroness Lawrence and the significance of this investigation we will be asking an outside force to review our approach.

 

Spying charges: Two men have been charged with offences under the Official Secrets Act for collecting or sharing information prejudicial to the safety and security of the UK and intended to be useful to the state of China. Commander Dominic Murphy said: "This has been an extremely complex investigation into what are very serious allegations. We've worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service as our investigation has progressed and this has led to the two men being charged today. We're aware there has been a degree of public and media interest in this case, but we would ask others to refrain from any further comment or speculation, so that the criminal justice process can now run its course."

 

And in a case linked to Russia, several people were charged in connection with an investigation into alleged offences under the National Security Act, as part of a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation. The charges are the first to be brought about under the new legislation that came into effect in December 2023. Commander  Murphy said: “We have spoken publicly in recent times about various threats linked to national security that we have been facing, and the increase in operational activity required across Counter Terrorism Policing to meet these. While these are very serious allegations, I want to reassure the public that we do not believe there to be any wider threat to them in connection with this matter."

 

Britain’s Strongest Woman keeping London safe: The Met is made up of people from all sorts off backgrounds and with all sorts of interesting skills. One Met officer alongside her job also holds the title of Britain’s strongest woman and has smashed a Guinness World Record on children’s TV programme Blue Peter. PC Lucy Underdown was challenged to carry two presenters on a yoke, weighing more than 200kg, and pull it for 50m in under 90 seconds. The officer, who polices the London’s south east, not only pulled it in approximately 34 seconds, she pulled a car and bagged herself a Blue Peter badge. She said: “It’s a childhood dream to get a badge. I don’t normally talk about myself so going on Blue Peter was very surreal. I had so much fun.” PC Underdown recently met Arnold Schwarzenegger when she competed in the Arnold Classic in Ohio, USA, which saw thousands of people watch her take part in the gruelling challenges. She broke a world record, becoming the first woman in history to lift a 318kg bar and now has her sights set on beating this record at the end of the year.

 

Operational successes: Diligent and determined police work, to ensure London is safer for all our communities and victims see justice, is delivered by officers and staff every day. There have been a host of successful outcomes in recent days:

·       The perpetrator of a violent homophobic attack, who was arrested by Met officers after a nationwide manhunt, has been jailed. In addition to the sentence, a five-year restraining order was imposed on the offender to protect the victim and he will be placed on licence upon release.

·       Two brothers have been jailed for over 34 years having been found guilty of conspiracy to evade the prohibition on the importation of cocaine. Met officers pieced together their groups’ movements and disrupted their plan to bring dangerous drugs onto the streets of London.

·       A man who headed up two drugs lines in north London and preyed on vulnerable drug users to distribute products on his behalf has been jailed after a ten-month proactive intelligence-led operation.

·       A painstaking four-year investigation by Met officers has led to the conviction of four highly dangerous Hackney gang members. The men were jailed for a total of 76 years for a wide range of drug and firearms offences, including shootings in Hackney in 2020.

·       A proactive team of Met officers raided an address finding six guns, ammunition and Class A and Class B drugs in multiple locations including children’s bedrooms leading to the the suspect being jailed for 18 years.

·       A man has been jailed for five years after teamwork from Met and City of London Police officers at last year's Notting Hill Carnival led to them seizing a firearm in a bum-bag.

·       A woman who was subjected to a sustained and violent assault has seen her attacker jailed for 28 years after being supported throughout the investigation by specially trained Met officers.

·       A former school support worker from south London has been jailed for sex offences after a fast-paced investigation by the Met’s Child Abuse Investigation Team.

·       A man has been jailed after detectives investigating a rape recognised similarities in an account given by another victim from the year before.

·       A cold case investigation by Met officers has seen a man jailed for five years after he sexually assaulted a woman in the 1980s. Traces of DNA were found on her coat, but the the national DNA database was not in existence. Forensic officers held the coat in storage as a crucial part of evidence. Following advances in forensic technology, a DNA profile was developed from the retained samples and matched in 2019.

·       And man arrested after forensics linked his DNA on a pair of gloves to an armed robbery in south-east London has been sentenced to six years and four months in prison.

We also saw widespread media coverage about a group of off duty Met officers who jumped into action to catch a thief whilst they were enjoying a break in Barcelona. Sergeant Emin, who is based in Enfield, London, said: "We were in a restaurant on the main strip, waiting for food to come, and he made his way over to the bar area where the counters are and then he jumped over the counter and that's when he caught our attention. He started to ransack the tills and take electrical goods such as the iPads and iPhones, whatever else was there, before he made his way around and then sprinted outside of the restaurant and instantly we stood up and gave chase."

 

I look forward to updating you further next week with more about our work to keep London safe and to transform the Met.

Central Engagement Team

Met sets out policing plan ahead of central London protests on Saturday (pdf)

The best and worst banks for online security

Weaknesses in some banks’ security could leave customers exposed to scammers, as we rate the best and worst firms for keeping customers safe.

Which? tested banking website and app security across four key criteria: login procedures, security best practice, account management and navigation and logout. We combined the results to give a total score.

Find out how your bank scores for online security.

Your bank security

Source: Which? (24 Apr 2024)

Scammers impersonating Royal Mail

With the cost of stamps having risen four times since 2022, scammers have unsurprisingly impersonated Royal Mail with fake offers for stamps at bargain prices. Scammers have been found selling sheets of 80 second-class stamps for £60, but these phoney offers lead to phishing websites designed to steal your personal and financial information.

Which? explains how to avoid and report this scam - plus where to buy and print legitimate stamps safely.

Phoney stamps

Source: Which? (22 Apr 2024)

Five million over 50s fear answering the phone

Age UK found that almost a fifth of over 50s, equivalent to 4.9 million people, are fearful of picking up the phone due to scams, while one in 10 – 2.8 million – are uneasy about opening their doors.

It’s awful to know anxiety around scams is affecting the day-to-day lives of people. Though fraudsters take aim at everyone, find out which scams tend to target older members of the public.

Swerve scams

Source: Which? (17 Apr 2024)

Watch out for this WhatsApp scam

Watch out for this nasty WhatsApp scam that enables hackers to take control of your account and access all of your messages. Find out here how this scam works and how to protect your account from fraudsters.

WhatsApp Scam

Source: Which? (16 Apr 2024)

Spot the signs of a rogue trader

Victims of rogue locksmiths can experience rip-off prices, poor workmanship and intimidation. Locksmiths aren’t regulated, which means that technically, anyone can call themselves a locksmith, do a shoddy job, charge you a fortune and avoid being held to account.

In 2022, the Master Locksmiths Association received more than 300 reports about fraudulent locksmiths. Victims had been charged anything from £500 to more than £3,000 for emergency call-outs, which is significantly more than a reputable locksmith would charge.

Which? explains the tell-tale signs of a rogue locksmith and how to avoid appointing one.

Avoid dodgy locksmiths

Source: Which? (17 Apr 2024)

Fake flights and phantom hotels

Lloyds Bank is warning holidaymakers to watch out after it saw a 7% spike in travel scams in the past year. Victims lose an average of £765 to these scams, with Lloyds saying nearly half of those affecting its customers started on Facebook.

Find out how to avoid getting caught and the seven steps to take to stay safe when booking your holiday this year.

Spot a holiday scam

Source: Which? (15 Apr 2024)

Ticket Fraud Alert: Protect Yourself Before Buying for Popular Events

Action Fraud is warning people about ticket fraud, especially for popular summer events. Last year, people lost over £6.7 million to ticket scams.

Here's how to protect yourself:

• Buy tickets only from the venue, promoter, an official agent or a well-known ticket exchange site.
• Avoid using bank transfers, especially for sellers you don't know. Use credit cards or payment services for better protection.
• Use strong passwords and be wary of unsolicited emails or texts offering cheap tickets.
• Check if the seller is a member of Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR)👈(pdf) https://www.star.org.uk/
• Report suspicious emails to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service.

https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk/

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/news/ticketfraud

Scam Alert: Don't Fall for This Debit Card Phone Call

A local Borough resident received a call from a spoofed number '07719 127005' and alerted us to warn others.

Here's what you should do about the recorded message claiming a £900 purchase on your debit card:

Don't press any options or reply to the number.

This is a common tactic used by scammers. They try to trick you into giving them your personal information or confirming the fake transaction.

Here's what to do instead:

1. Contact your bank directly. Look for the phone number on the back of your debit card or your bank's website. Don't use any phone numbers provided in the recorded message.
2. Explain the situation to your bank. Let them know about the suspicious call and the alleged £900 purchase.
3. Follow your bank's instructions. They will likely advise you to cancel your debit card and issue a new one.
4. Report the scam. You can report the scam to the National Fraud Reporting Service.

Additional tips:

• Be wary of unsolicited calls, texts, or emails, even if they seem to come from your bank.
• Never give out your personal information or card details over the phone unless you initiated the contact.
• If you're unsure whether a call is genuine, it's always best to err on the side of caution and contact your bank directly.

The number is spoofed and associated with a 'Telecoms Scam'.

Doorstep crime

Rogue traders are active across London – if you are not sure don’t open the door

You can help protect yourself with some common simple precautions;

• Use a door chain so you can check who’s calling
• Don’t trade on the door step
• Ask a trusted friend or family member for advice on reputable traders
• Display a sticker visible to callers saying “No cold calling”
• Report suspicious activity to Police or Citizens Advice

For more information and Source: https://www.londontradingstandards.org.uk/projects/doorstep-crime/

Flat fire - Erith 🔥

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a flat fire on Kale Road in Erith.

Part of a three roomed flat on the sixth floor of a block of flats was destroyed by fire. One man left the affected flat before the Brigade arrived, approximately 50 people also evacuated the building. The cause of the fire is accidental and due to the unsafe disposal of smoking materials.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "If you smoke it is vitally important you stub it right out, preferably in an ashtray.

"Always ensure your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it. If you don’t, you risk causing a fire as you don’t know what it may land on which could potentially start a fire."

This was a very visible fire. The Brigade's 999 Control staff received 30 calls alerting them to the blaze. Thankfully no injuries are reported.

The Brigade was called at 1331 and the incident was under control by 1413. Fire crews from Plumstead, Erith, Bexley and East Greenwich fire stations were in attendance.

Smoking safety top tips

• It's safer to smoke outside, but make sure cigarettes are put right out and disposed of properly.
• Never smoke in bed, and avoid smoking on arm chairs and sofas – especially if you think you might fall asleep.
• Take extra care when you’re tired, taking prescription drugs or if you’ve been drinking alcohol.
• Use proper ashtrays, which can’t tip over and stub cigarettes out properly.

Source: LFB (14 Apr 2024)

Investment scammers pocketed £13m a week

Criminal gangs flogging bogus investments and ‘get-rich-quick’ schemes stole an average of £13m a week in the past four years, according to Action Fraud data revealed by a Freedom of Information request.

It's a horrifyingly profitable crime, and victims can lose their lifetime savings. But what are the different types of investment fraud? From ‘pension liberation fraud’ to ‘Ponzi schemes’– find out the different types of fraud and how to invest safely.

Invest safely

Source: Which? (08 Apr 2024)

Keep your tablet secure

Our research has discovered that some tablet manufacturers support their devices with vital security updates for as little as two years, while others support theirs for five or more.

Tablets are computers. And, just like computers, they're vulnerable to security attacks. Use our free tool to check how long a new tablet will get software and security updates, and find out what to do if your tablet's at risk.

Software security

Source: Which? (09 Apr 2024)

Santander customers lost £7.3m to purchase scams

Santander has reported that purchase scam claims were up by a third in 2023 compared to 2022.

A purchase scam is when a product you pay for turns out to be fake or non-existent. The scammer is seeking to dupe you into handing over your personal and financial details, and the scam may result in loss of money immediately or even months later when you may be retargeted by the scammer.

Read on to find out what these types of scams look like and how to avoid them.

Purchase scams

Source: Which? (10 Apr 2024)

Fire at storage yard - Erith 🔥

Firefighters are warning residents to take care with bonfires after a blaze at a storage yard on Manor Road in Erith. 

Most of two 20-foot ISO containers and half of two vehicles were damaged by the fire. A further vehicle and around four tonnes of mixed refuse were also destroyed by the blaze.

The fire is believed to have been caused by unattended burning spreading out of control. 

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "We would urge people to consider if their bonfire is necessary and to take care if you’re burning waste at home or at work. 

"If you’re having a bonfire never leave it unattended and consider your neighbours if you do decide to have a fire in your garden. 

"Make sure you build it clear of buildings, garden sheds, fences and hedges and never use flammable liquids to start it or burn dangerous items such as aerosol cans. Always keep a bucket of water or a hosepipe nearby in case of fire. 

“Always check your local authority’s advice on bonfires and follow our safety tips." 

The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers took 13 calls about the fire.  

The Brigade was called at 1910 and the fire was under control at 2100. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Erith, Bexley and Plumstead fire stations attended the scene. 

Bonfire safety tips 

• Build your bonfire clear of buildings, garden sheds, fences and hedges 
• Never use flammable liquids to start a bonfire and never burn dangerous items such as aerosol cans, paint tins, foam furniture or batteries 
• Don’t leave bonfires unattended. An adult should supervise it until it has burnt out. If it has to be left, damp it down with plenty of water 
• Check the area to make sure there's no wildlife or pets hiding nearby.

Source: LFB (09 Apr 2024)

Saint George's Day in England - 23rd April 2024

Saint George is the patron saint of England in a tradition established in the Tudor period, based in the saint's popularity during the times of the Crusades and the Hundred Years' War.

Veneration of the saint in folk religion declined in the 18th century. Attempts to revive the celebration of Saint George's Day (23 April) as an expression of English culture and identity date from the foundation of Royal Society of St. George in 1894.
Since the beginning of the 2010s, such efforts have resulted in St George's Day celebrations with aspects of a national holiday in England.
 
Religious observance of St George's Day changes when it is too close to Easter. According to the Church of England's calendar, when St George's Day falls between Palm Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter inclusive, it is moved to the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter. In 2011, for example, 23 April was Holy Saturday, so St George's Day was moved to Monday 2 May, and in 2014 it was celebrated on Monday 28 April. The Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales has a similar practice.
 
A traditional custom on St George's day is to wear a red rose in one's lapel, though this is no longer widely practised.
 
St. George's Day Parade. One of the best ways to celebrate St. George's Day is to watch the parade, which is held in central London, starting from Trafalgar Square, and ending at the historic Guildhall. It features marching bands, traditional English dancers, and even knights in armour. St George is also the patron saint of Scouts.
 
Date: Sunday 21 April 2024 

Time: 12:00pm to 6:00pm

Venue: Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London, WC2N 5DN, GB Cost: FREE.

Scam alert: WhatsApp verification code scams are back

Action Fraud has issued a warning about an uplift in WhatsApp verification code scams. 

The fraud and cyber crime reporting agency says it has received more than 60 reports about the scam, which we originally wrote about in 2021.

Read on to find out about how the scam works and for advice on keeping your WhatsApp account safe.

Source: Which? (03 Apr 2024)

Simplyhealth Email: Approved Claim or Phishing Attempt?

The email could be legitimate or a scam. Here's how to assess it:

Signs it could be legitimate:

• It mentions a specific company, Simplyhealth, which is a real health insurance provider.
• It provides instructions for checking your claims within your online account or app (SimplyPlan), which is a standard way for legitimate companies to handle claims.

Signs it could be a scam:

• Generic greeting: "Good news" is vague. A legitimate email might address you by name.
• Sense of urgency: Phrases like "on its way" or "click here" can be used to pressure you into clicking a link without thinking.
• Discouragement from replying: Legitimate companies usually have customer service email addresses.

Here's what you can do:

1. Don't click the link in the email.
2. Log in to your Simplyhealth account directly (not through the email link) and check your claims section. You should see information about the approved claim there.
3. Call Simplyhealth directly using the phone number you know is theirs (not one provided in the email) and ask about the claim.

By checking directly with Simplyhealth, you'll be sure you're dealing with a legitimate claim and avoid any phishing attempts.

Our real-time scams-tracker page

From a WhatsApp Gold scam to a DVLA impersonation email, we keep our scams-tracker page updated with the latest news – something to keep you informed between your Thursday Scam Alert emails. Check out the latest scams.

Scams-tracker

Source: Which? (03 Apr 2024)

Guide: What is identity fraud?

Identity fraud is the use of a stolen identity to obtain goods or services by deception. A victim can be left feeling extremely vulnerable, especially as the first you learn of ID fraud could be when you get a bill or invoice for something you haven’t ordered, or when you have letters from debt collectors for debts that aren’t yours.

There are important things you can do to protect yourself against identity fraud – make sure you read them in our guide.

Identity fraud

Source: Which? (02 Apr 2024)

Beware social media hacking on the rise

Action Fraud has issued a warning after 22,530 people reported that their social media accounts had been hacked in 2023. Fraudsters can access your online accounts in a variety of ways. If you find that one of your accounts has been hacked, you may be wondering how they gained access.

Find out the main ways a hacker can gain access and how to protect your accounts.

Account hacking

Source: Which? (03 Apr 2024)

"Beware of "Is this you?" Scam on Social Media"

Yes, "Is this you in this video/photo?" is a common social media scam. Here's how it works and how to avoid it:

The Scam:

• You receive a message, often from a friend (whose account may be hacked), with text like "Is this you in this video?" or "This looks like you!"
• The message will likely include a link.
• Clicking the link takes you to a fake login page designed to steal your social media password. Once they have it, they can scam your friends or spread malware.

How to Avoid It:

• Don't click the link!
• If you're curious about the video/photo, reach out to your friend directly through another method (call, text message) and ask if they sent it. It's likely their account was hacked.
• Be suspicious of any messages asking you to click on a link, especially if they come from unexpected contacts.

Here are some additional tips for staying safe on social media:

• Be careful about who you friend/follow. Only connect with people you know and trust.
• Beware of messages that seem too good to be true. If someone is offering you something amazing, it's probably a scam.
• Never share your social media password with anyone.
• Use strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts. Consider a password manager to help you keep track.

By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from social media scams.

If you think you may have clicked on a malicious link, report it to the social media platform and change your password immediately. Use 2FA as per https://bexleywatch.blogspot.com/search/label/2FA

Do it online: another way to contact the police

The NPCC (National Police Chief's Council) has launched a new app called Police.UK, which allows the public to report crimes and incidents, find out information about local policing teams, and access prevention advice and support for victims and witnesses of crime. You can read more about this here.

Download the app

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