Fake lockdown fine texts
A fake coronavirus warning is currently being circulated by text. The warning claims that your movements have been monitored through your phone, and that you must pay a fine or face prosecution.
If you receive the text, do not click or tap any of the links shown in the message.
What to do and how to report a scam
You can report phishing emails to Action Fraud, who’ll then pass your concerns to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) to investigate. The NFIB are a sub-division of the police and specialise in tackling fraud in the UK.
You should only use this tool to report phishing campaigns if you haven’t exposed your personal details or had any money taken out of your bank account or fraudulent transactions on a credit card.
If money has been taken from your account or there are fraudulent transactions on a credit or debit card, get in touch with your bank or credit card provider to let the fraud team know as soon as possible.
If you live in Scotland, you can find extensive information on coronavirus-related scams on the Trading Standards Scotland website, including what scams are currently active, and what you can do about them. You can also sign up to their Scam Share e-bulletin.
How can I protect myself from being scammed?
StepChange has a dedicated page with additional advice on spotting and avoiding scams and fraud attempts. For additional information please refer to the advice here.