The ‘smishing’ scam and how to avoid it

mobile device, or into giving away their personal data.

The activity is deemed criminal and is the latest weapon fraudsters are using to target bank details.

Messages often aim to con customers into thinking they are texting their bank – and then steal information.

“Any contact like this is designed to convince you to hand over valuable personal details or your money, or download something that infects your computer,” says a spokesperson for Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cyber-reporting centre.

“Some fraudsters will call your landline or mobile, pretending to be from your bank, building society, a government agency or someone you do business with. This is known as vishing (voice + fishing).

“Alternatively, they’ll send you a text message that asks you to reply with your personal or banking details, or to call or text a premiumrate number they have created to run up a large bill. This is called smishing (SMS + fishing).”

Their spelling, grammar, graphic design or image quality is poor quality. They may use odd ‘spe11lings’ or ‘cApiTals’ in the email subject to fool your spam filter.

If they know your email address but not your name, it’ll begin with something like ‘To our valued customer’, or ‘Dear...’ followed by your email address.

The website or email address doesn’t look right; authentic website addresses are usually short and don’t use irrelevant words or phrases. Businesses and organisations don’t use web-based addresses such as Gmail or Yahoo.

Money’s been taken from your account, or there are withdrawals or purchases on your bank statement you don’t remember making.