Action Fraud has received more than 5,000 reports about fake emails and texts purporting to be from TV Licensing. The messages contain links to genuine-looking websites that are designed to steal personal and financial information.<\/p>\n
Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information in case it\u2019s a scam. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text.<\/p>\n
For more information about how to stay safe online, visit cyberaware.gov.uk<\/p>\n
Action Fraud has also experienced an increase in the reporting of malicious calls, voicemails, text messages or emails to members of the public purporting to be from HMRC. (HM Revenue and Customs)<\/p>\n
The fraudsters state that as a result of their non-payment of tax or other duty, the victim is liable to prosecution or other legal proceedings such as repossession of belongings to settle the balance but can avoid this by arranging for payment to be made immediately by method such as bank transfer or by iTunes gift cards.<\/p>\n
If the victim is hesitant or refuses to comply, the suspect makes a threat such as immediate arrest, bailiffs or in cases where the victim appears to be of overseas origin, deportation.<\/p>\n
Often, the period for which the tax is allegedly due is distant enough to guarantee the victim will have little, if any, paperwork or ability to verify the claims. Once the money is paid the suspects sever all contact.<\/p>\n
It is vital that the public exercise caution when receiving messages or telephone calls of this nature.<\/p>\n
What you need to do:- Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information. Just because someone knows your basic details (such as your name and contact details), it doesn’t mean they are genuine. Instead, contact the company directly using trusted methods such as a known email address or phone number.<\/p>\n
Listen to your instincts. If something feels wrong then it is usually right to question it. No genuine organisation will ask you to pay taxes, bills or fees using iTunes Gift Cards, or any other type of voucher.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t be rushed or pressured into making a decision. Under no circumstances would a genuine bank or some other trusted organisation force you to make a financial transaction on the spot.<\/p>\n
Report Phishing attempts. If you receive a call, text or email of this nature and have not lost money, report this as a phishing attempt to Action Fraud.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Action Fraud has received more than 5,000 reports about fake emails and texts purporting to be from TV Licensing. The messages contain links to genuine-looking websites that are designed to steal personal and financial information. Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information in case it\u2019s a scam. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[334,127,45],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6cWjO-1qK","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12040,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=12040","url_meta":{"origin":5502,"position":0},"title":"Criminals Are Still Busy","author":"Alan Williams","date":"4th August 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH \u00a0 During this holiday time it is easy to relax, but criminals are still busy trying to scam you via emails or texts. 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The criminals use the personal information they\u2019ve\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Miscellaneous"","block_context":{"text":"Miscellaneous","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=127"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":5163,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=5163","url_meta":{"origin":5502,"position":3},"title":"SCAM WARNINGS","author":"Alan Williams","date":"21st December 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 SCAM WARNINGS Watch out for these fake TV Licensing emails We\u2019ve seen a sharp increase in reports about fake TV Licensing emails claiming to offer refunds. The emails state that the refund cannot be processed due to \u201cinvalid account details\u201d. The links provided in the emails lead to phishing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Latest News"","block_context":{"text":"Latest News","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=70"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":5046,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=5046","url_meta":{"origin":5502,"position":4},"title":"Fake Netflix emails.","author":"Alan Williams","date":"29th September 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 WARNING FROM CRIMESTOPPERS Please watch out for these fake Netflix emails. We\u2019ve seen an increase in reports about fake Netflix emails claiming that there\u2019s an issue with your account, or that your account has been suspended. The email states that you need to \u201cupdate\u201d your account details in order\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Miscellaneous"","block_context":{"text":"Miscellaneous","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=127"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":4972,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=4972","url_meta":{"origin":5502,"position":5},"title":"Victim of Fraud?","author":"Alan Williams","date":"18th September 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 If you think you have been a victim of fraud you should report it to Action Fraud, the UK\u2019s national fraud and internet crime reporting centre, on 0300 123 2040. 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