This advice has been collated by East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) to raise awareness among businesses and the public.
If you require any further information, assistance or guidance please contact the EMSOU Protect Team EMSOU Protect Team or your local Force protect team.
Today’s cyber topic is ‘scams and fake news’
Mainstream media continue to report that false information is still a major concern during the coronavirus outbreak. A recent report from the BBC describes doctors and paramedics dealing with elements of misinformation on social media that COVID-19 was a mild illness, or remedies such as gargling salt water would help.
Trading Standards are seeking to halt sales of a device (a USB key costing £339.60) that claims to offer protection against the supposed dangers of 5G; “thanks to the wearable holographic nano-layer catalyser”. The device appears identical to a £5 USB key, with the addition of a sticker.
Scams
Scam texts purporting to be from Sky, GOVUK and HMRC are being seen and reported locally, with examples given below:
“I received notification of the Sky engineers visit earlier in the week scheduled for 1 June and a text message from the Sky messaging service on Sunday as a reminder and the engineer called yesterday. I have changed my sky password, blocked this number and deleted the message.”
“Just had a call from 01227 126302, a recorded message from HMRC stating there was a tax fraud against my name. I didn’t get to the end of the message deleted and blocked the number.”
“GOVUK: You may be eligible for a COVID-19 relief fund of up to £1,500.00 please complete the application form with the link below to check your eligibility.”
The link appears to be a gov.uk form on google docs. First page asks for name and address.
Hot topics
CIFAS warn of a new HMRC scam, specifically targeting people who are out of work or working less due to coronavirus. The scam claims to offer thousands in grants and recipients are told to click a link to check eligibility. The questions asked on this link are designed to steal personal information. The email address used in this scam is: HMRC@hotmail.com.
Courier Fraud: Criminals impersonating bank officials and police officers, is still a hot topic. Key advice: Can you always trust who is on the end of the line?
– When in conversation with someone you don’t know, before answering a question make sure they need to know the information that they’re asking about.
– Don’t get caught up in the story being told; a sense of pressure should be a red flag.
– Hang up, wait five minutes, make sure you can hear a dial tone before making any other calls, or use your mobile.
Verify any unexpected contact is genuine by using a known number or email address to contact organisations directly (101 for Police; Tel number on your Bank card).
To register for the free ActionFraud email or text alert service click here.
Reporting
Please report all Fraud and Cybercrime to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or online. Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Report SMS scams by forwarding the original message to 7726 (spells SPAM on the keypad).
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