Are you foolish to fall for an internet scam?

A COUPLE has lost nearly £10,000 by responding to a scam email allegedly from TV Licensing (Mail). I received the same email and it was perfectly obvious it was a con. The address was incorrect and in any case I had already paid the fee by annual standing order. People need to be more wary about emails and not criticise their bank for their own failings. ROGER THOMPSON, Telford, Shropshire. IN THE past few months, I have received the fake TV Licensing email several times. I reported this phishing scam, but that hasn’t achieve anything. The criminal mastermind behind it is not in the same league as Dr Fu Manchu: the scam comes from the ‘Birtish’ Broadcasting Corporation. Lord Birt, former head of the BBC, never managed to get that name change through!

R. PAGE, Llandrindod Wells, Powys. I RECEIVED the fake email, but the scammers made a basic error: I qualify for a free TV licence. But I can see why some people have fallen for it as it is well-designed and almost believable. P. WINDLE, Waterlooville, Hants. CONCERNED about unusual activity while doing internet banking, I rang customer services, who assured me there is a system to flag up high withdrawals by checking with the account holder. The couple who handed over their bank details after receiving a fake email from TV Licensing should challenge the decision not to reimburse them.

CLIFFORD MANNING, Seaton, Devon. HERE’S a simple way to avoid being a victim. Use an email address that does not include your name for internet shopping, banking and dealing with TV Licensing. And don’t open business emails sent to your personal email. G. GREGORY, Market Harborough, Leics.