Mobile phone owners in the UK are being warned ahead of a Government Emergency Alert message being sent out this weekend.
Emergency Alerts have already been used successfully in a number of other countries, including the US, Canada, the Netherlands and Japan, where it has been widely credited with saving lives, for example, during severe weather events. In the UK, alerts could be used to tell residents of villages being encroached by wildfires, or of severe flooding, the Government has said.
But consumer experts fear scammers may send out false alerts, similar to those from the Government, in an attempt to retrieve personal details such as their location and bank details.
READ MORE: Exact date and time Government emergency 'siren' will sound on UK mobile phones
There are several other scams circulating in the meanwhile, such as fake concert tickets for some of the biggest stars in the music industry, as well as fake energy bill rebates.
With this in mind, NetVoucherCodes.co.uk is warning of a number of scams to be aware of:
Fake emergency alert message
All Brits with a mobile device will receive an emergency alert message this Sunday as a Government test. Scammers have been sending out fake versions of this which instructs people to enter their personal information or face being hit with a hefty fine. The real Government alert will be at 3pm on Sunday 23rd April, if you receive a message before then report it immediately as it will be a scam.
The “Hi Mum”
If you’ve received a text saying “Hi Mum, my phone is broken, I need to buy a new one” there’s a high chance it’s a scammer attempting to con you out of money. They’ll try using your social media to try and find out personal information about you as well as putting kisses on the end of texts to make it seem genuine. If you are worried that it is actually your child messaging you try getting in contact with them or someone they may be with first.
Fake concert tickets
With stars such as Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Madonna recently announcing their tour dates, many ‘sellers’ on social media have been taking advantage of the in-demand shows by selling fake tickets with a hefty price tag. If their social media page has few images, or if they’re trying to make you send money to a bank account with a different name, there’s a high chance it’s a scammer.
Giveaway scams
People who have entered social media giveaways have experienced fake profile pages attempting to contact them to collect their prize as a way to get entrants to reveal personal information. Only accept messages and prizes from the original account where you entered the giveaway.
Premium phone call charges
If you’re searching online for tech support or customer service numbers, make sure to double-check if they’re legitimate by visiting the website of the company you’re trying to reach, otherwise, it can result in a costly phone bill. Premium charges over £600 can be added to your account for spending less than a minute on the phone, even if the person at the other end seems authentic.
Free items from promoters
While many official brands often hand out giveaways on social media, there’s a rising amount of fake promoters who message to say they’re offering free clothes or items so they can get your address details. This information is used along with your social media information to clone bank accounts or fake passports.
Fake energy bills rebate
Scammers have been taking advantage of rising energy bills by offering fake rebates to vulnerable households. If an email comes through about receiving the discount or rebate, don’t click on any link. Only look directly on the Government website to see if you’re eligible or ring up your energy supplier.
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