The Isle of Wight Council Trading Standards Team has collated a roundup of scams currently in circulation that have been experienced by residents.
They have received a few reports this week including an email from McAfee stating that the person needed to update their Microsoft Windows version. It was recognised as a scam as the recipient was already using Windows 10.
This is not something that we might be aware of, so be very careful when you see messages purporting to be support for your device – don’t leap in and click on links, think about it, chat with somebody who is familiar with IT.
Be wary about messages from Whatsapp updating their settings. Again, don’t make a knee-jerk response, take some time to think about what you are doing and are you making sure that your account is protected and private.
If you receive any calls about your debit or credit card being used and large amounts taken, don’t follow the instructions on the call. Contact your bank and check with them. These calls will ask you to press for contact with an investigator who will then ask you for all sorts of banking details. This is SCAM.
Lastly a piece of good news – you may have heard in the news about the eight arrests this month in connection with the Royal Mail text scam that so many of us have received lately.
These messages are known as smishing texts designed to steal the victims personal and banking details by getting them to follow a link to a fake version of a trusted website.
You can report scams online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or on the phone – 0300 123 2040. Phishing emails can be forwarded to [email protected]. Scam texts can be forwarded to 7726.
If you have a vulnerable relative, friend or neighbour you should share this information with them – it could save them from falling victim to one of these, or any other scam.
I had the same sort of text on Sunday but Hermes claiming that I wasn’t in, pay £1.59 etc etc