u3a

Stanway in Colchester

FRAUD ALERTS

PROTECT YOUR MONEY AND IDENTITY FROM SUSPICIOUS TEXTS, EMAILS, PHONE CALLS, AND CALLERS AT YOUR DOOR.

KEY MESSAGES TO PROTECT YOU FROM FRAUD:

Never "CLICK HERE" or click links in an unsolicited email or text message.

Never "Press 1" to find our more or rectify a supposed account issue during an unsolicited phone call

Make sure your Email password is strong, unique and secure, and is not used for any other purpose. Turn on 2 Factor Authentication, and never give out a One Time Passcode to anyone calling to supposedly help with issues on your accounts.

Never give out your card PIN, bank account passwords and security information to anyone calling, and never hand over your payment card to a "courier".

Your bank will never call you and ask you to withdraw cash to help secure your account. Nor will the aks you to transfer your money to an unknown account.

Never allow an unsolicited caller to have remote access to your computer or other device. They will try to convince you that you have a fault or there is a problem with your account so they can get to your personal and banking information.

LATEST SCAM UPDATES

Amazon One time Passcode scam


The scam begins with a call from a scammer claiming to work at Amazon. The call will most likely come from a spoofed mobile number, meaning that it will appear as if it’s being made from a number that it isn’t.

The caller will most likely know your name and tell you that there has been suspicious activity on your account and may even name fake high value purchases that have supposely been made on your account.

The caller will ask you to log in and tell them what the One Time Passcode is from the text message that Amazon will send to your mobile. While this text message will be a legitimate text from Amazon, it will have been sent as a result of a fraudster on the phone attempting to get into your account, perhaps using your user signing in credentials that may have been hacked.

Never give this code out to anyone. End the call and contact Amazon separately, you may need to change your password.

For more details see the Which article here.

Delayed Delivery Scam

'Tis the season for snapping up online bargains and a busy time for deliveries. Have you received a text to say your delivery is delayed and asking you to click a link to rearrange? That link could ask for your personal details or request payment to release your parcel.

Don't click the link, instead go to the retailer's official site to check your order status. Never share login details or payment information via an unknown link.

Winter Fuel Payment Scam

It's that time of year again. Winter Fuel Payment is available to some people born before 23 September 1958.

This scam involves receiving a dodgy text from a spoofed number and told that you're eligible for money to help towards bills during the colder weather. To receive this, you're encouraged to follow a link which leads to a copycat government website. It's here where you're asked to reveal your personal and financial information. Please ignore or report these communications.

Most payments are made automatically in November or December. You should get a letter telling you:

  • which bank account it will be paid into - this is usually the same account as your State Pension or other benefits
  • how much you’ll get.

If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 28 January 2026, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.


BT Broadband Text Scam

Beware of text messages such as this one, allegedly from your internet provider, designed to get you to click on a malicious link that could infect your device and/or lead to money or identity theft.

Similar messages have been reported from supposedly Netflix, Amazon, and other well known organisations about accounts being locked or needing you to "update your account details".

Always go to the genuine website to check or contact the provider directly, never click on the links in the text message

Virus Pop-up scam

Some members have reported concerns about an alleged virus warning that has appeared suddenly on their computer screens.

This is usually a scary popup message purporting to be from Microsoft or a genuine antivirus company. Sometimes the warning banner may be accompanied with an urgent voice alert saying you have a virus or your computer is being hacked, perhaps using phrases to concern you such as:

  • “Your computer is infected” (or locked)
  • “spyware alert”
  • “Trojan”
  • “Your financial information is at risk”

They may also warn you not to turn off your computer, and tell you to call a number or click on a button on the screen. This is supposed to put you through to a technical helpline that will allegedly get rid of the virus or stop any hacking attempt.

This is a well-known scam, possibly triggered by visiting a website that has been compromised.

Clicking on the button or calling the number gets you though to very persuasive scammers that sound genuine, who will try to get you to install software that will enable them to take over your computer to “fix it”. They will also charge you for the service, enabling them to harvest your card or banking details. Before you know it, they will be taking money from your bank and/or stealing your identity.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? FIRSLY, DO NOT CALL ANY NUMBERS OR CLICK ON ANY BUTTONS!!

  • Close your computer down. If you can’t access the onscreen shut down button then you should be able to press your manual power button on your computer and hold it for a few seconds until it switches off. Turn it back on again and follow the next step.
  • Open your antivirus software and run a full scan on your computer. If any malware has been installed this should find and remove it. (Remember to keep your antivirus software up to date).
  • If you were logged into any sites when this happened, change your passwords for those sites and ensure you have “2 factor authentication” enabled (where you get a code sent to your phone or email after entering your username and password).  

It is recommended you watch Scam Interceptors on BBC, these shows include hearing the scammers hard at work trying to convince people over the phone to fall for their scams.

If you’ve lost money to this type of scam, call your bank immediately on 159 or the number on the back of your card and report the scam to Action Fraud

QR Code scams

You may have seen and used QR (Quick Response) codes. These are now becoming more common as a quick means to order food at a pub/restaurant, pay for parking or to find out more about a service that is being advertised. You use your phone camera to scan the code and it takes you to a website where you complete the transaction or read about the service advertised. Criminals are now finding ways to trick people into scanning bogus QR codes they create and stick over genuine QR code information.

For details watch this BBC report at BBC - QR Code Scams (opens in a new window).

Avoid being scammed by:

  • ignoring the code if something doesn't look right, such as edges peeling off, or it's obviously a sticker rather than a printed sign. Look for a website you can search for or a contact phone number rather than use the suspect QR code,
  • using your phone's camera to scan QR codes rather than download a third party app which you don't need, and may not be all it looks.

Which? Scam Alerts service reminder

To get the latest scams such as the one shown here see: The latest scam alerts from Which?

Sign up to receive the free Which? email newsletters here: Scam Alerts service

Beware scam adverts in social media

Adverts inpersonating Lidl and Sports Direct have been found in social media such as Facebook and Instagram. The adverts are promoting items at attractive prices but lead to scam websites where people have lost money and received nothing in return.

Things to watch out for on social media selling sites:

  • Is it too good to be true? It's not a bargain if it fails to turn up.

  • Do you have to pay right away? A genuine seller won't pressure you into a quick sale.

  • Can you meet the seller in person? Look for items nearby so you can check the item before you pay.

  • Will they let you pay by card? Never pay by bank transfer. Pay by debit or credit card to protect your money.

Click on a topic to read more details about particular scams:

Visit these pages for guidance on what you can do to protect yourself:

REPORTING FRAUD

If you or someone you know is vulnerable and has been a victim of fraud or attempted fraud there are several ways you can report it:

  • If you have your email hacked contact your email provider, and change your password.
  • Report scam text messages simply by forwarding the message and the phone number to 7726. Its free and by reporting the message your phone network provider can investigate where the text came from and take action to stop the scam.
  • A new scam reporting telephone number 159 has been set up by banks and phone companies. If you think you have received a scam call involving money or personal details you can hang up and ring 159 to speak directly to your bank. For more information see Stopscamsuk which lists the banks and telephone companies currently participating in the service.
  • Call Essex Police on 101.
  • Click on Action Fraud or call 0300 123 2040.
  • Report suspicious phishing emails (see phishing for explanation) to the National Cyber Security Centre Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) at report phishing. Action will be taken to investigate and block and remove these from circulation.
  • CrimeStoppers are an independent charity that gives people the power to speak up and stop crime – 100% anonymously. They believe that everyone has the right to feel safe from crime. Whoever you are, wherever you live, from communities to companies. They also share advice on how to protect the people you care about from crime so everyone can feel safe. Contact them by phone on 0800 555 111, and online 24/7, 365 days a year at crimestoppers.
Working together to keep you safe

Back to top of page