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Scam Alert service

Cathy -

Omicron variant PCR test phishing

Wasting no time at all, scammers are already sending fake emails about the new Omicron variant of Covid, with the aim of stealing personal data and bank details.

Here are some examples we’ve received, and advice on how to spot and report a NHS scam.

Fake NHS emails and texts

Impersonation scams on WhatsApp

Fraudsters are posing as family members on WhatsApp in order to manipulate victims into transferring money. This stems from the verification message trick we covered in May, where you receive an unexpected but genuine text message from WhatsApp containing a verification code. The text is triggered by fraudsters entering your number into WhatsApp in an attempt to log in to your account. Next, one of your 'contacts' will message you via the app to try and persuade you to give them the code you’ve just received.

Stay alert for this scam, especially if you know anyone who was caught out by it. Here are steps you can take to further protect your WhatsApp account.

Manipulation tactics

HMRC tax scams

HMRC has released a fraud warning urging all self-assessment taxpayers to watch out for fake tax communications ahead of the tax return deadline on 31 January 2022.

Many HMRC related scams are occurring – scammers will commonly text or email people to say they’re owed a tax rebate from HMRC, often with a link that asks the person to fill out their personal details in order to claim it. This is usually a way to harvest people’s personal details to use in other scams.

Here are the HMRC scams to watch out for.

HMRC scam warnings

There’s now a much easier way to make us aware of scams directly with our scam sharer tool. Tell us your experiences of phishing emails, fake texts, cold calls and other types of fraud.

Stay safe,

Which? scam alert team

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