ALERT: Test and Trace scams remain a threat
Residents accross Warwickshire should continue to remain vigilant against potential scams.
Equifax has confirmed that around 400,000 UK consumers have been affected by its recent data breach. While password-related data does not appear to have been involved in this breach, the main risk is an influx of more targeted phishing emails.
Fraudsters can use the data compromised in the breach to make the phishing messages look more credible, including using your real name and statements such as:
'To show this is not a phishing email, we have included the month of your birth and the last 3 digits of your phone number'.
These phishing messages may be unrelated to Equifax and may use more well known brands. It is unlikely that any organisations will ask their customers to reset security information or passwords as a result of the Equifax breach, but this may be a tactic employed by criminals.
More information on the warning signs in phishing emails are highlighted in the video below:
While in typical phishing emails your real name may not be used, in this case, the fraudsters are likely to have, and will use, your name. Extra caution is advised if you receive a message that claims to be from an organisation you deal with - especially when there are attachments or links which take you to sites asking for more personal information.
Fraudsters may also call. If you do receive a phone call that is suspicious - for example by asking you for security information - do not give over any information. Hang up the phone. You should then contact the organisation the caller claimed to be from – never using the details they provided during the call.
Reporting Any Incident
If you are targeted by, or fall victim to, any such scam, you can report the incident to Action Fraud either online at www.actionfraud.police.uk, or by calling 0300 123 2040.
