The PSNI has issued a warning as an energy payment scam text is currently circulating in Northern Ireland.
They are urging the public to be extra cautious and protect their money, as fraudsters are trying to take advantage of the cost of living crisis.
A recent text message takes advantage of the energy payment support scheme, offering a discount towards energy bills if the receiver clicks a link. However, this is a scam used to get personal and financial details.
Read more: NI £600 energy support payment details explained including how you will be paid
Chair of Scamwise NI Partnership, Police Service of Northern Ireland, Superintendent Gerard Pollock, has urged the public to remain vigilant.
He said: "With the increased cost of living and a recent initiative to help with fuel bills, we are seeing criminals seeking to exploit this for your loss and their gain. We are asking the public to be more cautious and to protect their money, as fraudsters are attempting to take advantage of the cost of living crisis.
"These scams start with a text or email offering a discount on your energy bill or the opportunity to claim the £400 energy payment. What I often see is that these criminals use the current uncertainties around the cost of living crisis to identify potential victims for complex scams.
"We have seen this before with Covid-19 vaccine passport scams, with scams related to the £100 High Street Voucher scheme.
"These fraudsters constantly change how they present their scam to lure people in but the core is the same, they’re trying to get your personal and financial details.
"In recent months we have seen fake offers of refunds on utility bills, energy tariff discounts, energy rebates, tax rebates and cost of living payments all used by criminals.
"All of these scams are an attempt to get your personal details, such as your name, address, date of birth and who you bank with. This can then be used to commit a more sophisticated scam where the losses can be substantial."
Superintendent Pollock has provided five important rules to help stay safe from scam messages. They are:
- Never click on links in text messages from someone you do not know;
- Never call or text suspicious numbers back;
- Never ever transfer money to someone you do not know or have not met;
- Always delete texts requesting personal or financial information or bank account details;
- Always forward scam texts to 7726 – the free scam text reporting service.
Superintendent Pollock continued: "If you have clicked on a link and provided your personal or financial details you should be cautious as you may be targeted for further scams.
"However, you can take action to protect yourself by reporting to your bank or building society that your account details may have been compromised. Key an eye on your bank account for suspicious transactions and regularly check your credit file.
"It’s important to remember anyone can be targeted by a scam and criminals will constantly change how they operate. While we see increased reporting of scams by older persons, we also see that older persons are often better at spotting a scam and avoid losing money as a result.
"By applying these rules we can stop the scam working. I’d also encourage family and friends to look out for older persons and those more vulnerable within our communities, to prevent any of their personal information being shared."
If you have been a victim of a scam or wish to report on behalf of a loved-one or friend who has been approached, please report to police online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or call on the non-emergency number 101.
You can also report to Action Fraud online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
For information in relation to identity fraud and how to protect yourself see ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/identity-theft/. Information and advice is available at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwisenior the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni
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