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

Android            iOS