Do you know how or where to report scam messages?
Fake emails and text messages are a common tactic used by cyber criminals, their goal is often to convince you to click a link. Once clicked, you may be sent to a dodgy website which could download malware onto your computer, or steal your passwords and personal information.
In order to try and convince you that their messages are legitimate, criminals will pretend to be someone you trust, or from some organisation you trust and already use. This could be your Internet Service Provider (ISP), local council, even a friend in need. And they may contact you by phone call, email or text message.
Always carefully check the links you click on and make sure it is the REAL website. Scammers will register very similar looking domain names and copy official websites to dupe you.
Related: 5 ways to detect phishing emails
Reporting suspicious emails:
If you have received an email which you’re not quite sure about, you can report it by forwarding the email to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service at: [email protected]
As of 31st October 2021, the number of suspicious email reports stands at more than a staggering 8,100,000, with the removal of more than 67,000 scams and 124,000 URLs, thanks to people like you.
NOTE *In a small number of cases, an email may not reach the above service due to it already being widely recognised by their spam detection services. The vast majority of reports do reach the system so please keep reporting any suspicious emails you receive.
Reporting suspicious text messages:
You can also report suspicious text messages to your mobile network provider, for free, by forwarding the text to 7726.
If you forward a text, your provider can investigate the origin of the text and take action, if found to be malicious.
If 7726 doesn’t work, you can find out how to report a text message by contacting your provider. (On many Android devices and iPhones, pressing and holding on the message bubble should present the option to forward the message). For more of the government’s latest advice on how to stay secure online, visit the Cyber Aware website: ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware
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