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SCAMS!

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  • Helen P3Helen P3 Posts: 1,152
    edited October 2022
                                            Warning from Which?

    Beware of this scam text offering you fake government energy bill support

    Scammers seek to take advantage of the government's energy grant scheme.

    ·     

    As energy bills rise, scammers are seeking to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers. Their latest trick involves sending a malicious text message link that asks you to sign up for the government’s energy grant.

    We’ve previously seen fraudsters call up households pretending to be from their council before asking for card details to make a £150 energy rebate payment. We’ve also seen scammers impersonate Ofgem through emails, texts and websites, which ask people to enter their banking details to qualify for fake energy refunds.

    The latest energy scam capitalises on the fact that the government’s £400 energy grant is now being rolled out. 

    If you get one of these texts, don't click on the link. Your grant will be applied to your energy account automatically.

     


    The above text comes from various phone numbers, all of which have been reported as suspicious on the number checking website Who Called Me. The message claims to offer you support with your energy bills.

    One of the scam texts, sent from the number 07542337161 reads:

    ‘GOV.UK: You are eligible for a discounted energy bill under the Energy Bills Support Scheme. You can apply here: [https://energy.support-rebate.com].

  • Zoe P2Zoe P2 Posts: 848
    Scam warnings from Which? :

    Spotting a phoney heir hunter

    It’s the job of an heir hunter to locate people who are legally entitled to inherit from a deceased relative's estate, but are unaware of their legal claim. While legitimate ones exist, you’re just as likely to encounter an imposter.

    When we surveyed our members who had been contacted by an heir hunter, half of them said that the claim wasn’t genuine. Find out more about phoney heir hunters and how to spot one.

    https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/which-shorts-podcast-heir-hunters-aaFz58g97aox?utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=scam_alert&utm_content=Scam+Alert+201022+B



    I have a dream that my.. children.. one day.. will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character

      Martin Luther King

  • Sam 37Sam 37 Posts: 1,271
    We haven't had any such promises yet!
  • I received a cold call recently, having had several in the preceding days. I was so fed up that I took a deep breath and let rip. I shouted and screamed at the top of my voice, telling the caller to leave me alone, go away, there was nothing wrong with my computer, my house was fully insulated, etc., etc.
    There was a stunned silence and the line went dead.
    No more calls since.
    I know some poor soul is making these calls to earn a crust of bread but I am supposed to be on the register for not receiving cold calls but it doesn't seem to be working. I have checked and updated but the calls still kept coming.
  • I received a cold call recently, having had several in the preceding days. I was so fed up that I took a deep breath and let rip. I shouted and screamed at the top of my voice, telling the caller to leave me alone, go away, there was nothing wrong with my computer, my house was fully insulated, etc., etc.
    There was a stunned silence and the line went dead.
    No more calls since.
    I know some poor soul is making these calls to earn a crust of bread but I am supposed to be on the register for not receiving cold calls but it doesn't seem to be working. I have checked and updated but the calls still kept coming.
    I don't blame you.
    Late to gardening .... @cheznousgarden

  • I know some poor soul is making these calls to earn a crust of bread 
    I know what you mean, Joyce; however, that "poor soul" is fully aware that s/he's trying to con you.
  • My explosive rant certainly made me laugh and feel a whole lot better! I quite cheered myself up.
  • Zoe P2Zoe P2 Posts: 848
    Criminals seems are working day and night to inform the likes of me of my ..good luck!  Often, more than just once a day.  Nasty pieces of work.

     



    I have a dream that my.. children.. one day.. will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character

      Martin Luther King

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    The problem is, the folk on the other end of the phone aren’t the real criminals …. they’re just folk living in an imperfect system and trying to make a living to support themselves and their families. They take what jobs they can get. They’re getting paid peanuts … and they too are being exploited by the criminal activities of quite big criminal companies. 
    Plus ça change … 😒 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Sam 37Sam 37 Posts: 1,271
    Zoe P2 said:
    Criminals seems are working day and night to inform the likes of me of my ..good luck!  Often, more than just once a day.  Nasty pieces of work.

     
    They certainly are.

    Here is some very useful advice from Which?


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