Cornwall Council Warns of Covid Scam Text Messages

Cornwall Council is warning residents about a new Phishing scam that is making the rounds on text messages. Fraudsters are sending scam messages that appear to be from the Cornwall Council, telling people that they need to isolate themselves due to being in contact with those with COVID19. They are being asked to click on a link for more information and to book a test. The text is being sent from mobile phone numbers, so it’s important to be wary of any links you receive from unknown senders. The council is urging people not to click on the links and to report any suspicious activity immediately.  

Prefer a video over a good read? Watch one of our Senior Consultants break down the Cornwall Council Scam and give some fast and effective advice for you to protect yourself from these types of hacks. Jump down to the vid.

Who are the likely Targets for these Scam Messages?

Anyone can be a target for these scams, but there are some groups that are more likely to be targeted. These include:

• Elderly people

• People who are vulnerable or have underlying health conditions

• Those who live alone

• Young people

• People who are new to using technology

“Serious Problem”

Elizabeth Kirk, senior trading standards officer at the council said “these scam messages can seem very genuine, but the NHS government or Public Health Cornwall would never send messages like this from a mobile phone”. The most important thing is to remember that the scammers want you to click a link.

“If you click the link, you could enable them to download malware, viruses or other nasties”. It might also give them access to your passwords, or internet banking or any other sites you access from your phone”.

If you Click the Link Accidentally:

1. Close the web page it opened ASAP. This prevents further harm.

2. NEVER enter passwords or other personal information into any page you have opened by clicking a link.

3. Reset any passwords you may have revealed.

4. Update your phones operating system.

5. Block the number that the text came from.

6. Report the scam to ACTION FRAUD, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, run by the city of London Police.

News-bite Cornwall Covid Scam

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