New(?) method of scamming people

[grsdev]

It appears that scammers are now sending flash SMS messages with links to their scam sites.

Yes, flash SMS is a thing, or it used to be about 30 years ago when all phones could do is call and send/receive SMS. What makes is so annoying is that it shows up in its full spammy glory even if your phone is locked.

[Leanne_T]

Thanks for coming to the community and letting everyone know about this @grsdev

If possible, can you forward this message to 7726 so this can be investigated. 

For more details please see our Prevent scams including phishing, vishing and smishing, Help page.

Thanks 🙂

Leanne. 

[grsdev]

Thanks @Leanne_T . Just one question. Do you know what a flash SMS is?

In case you don't, it's a message that pops up on the home screen even if the phone is locked, and once it's read and dismissed, there is no trace of it in your SMS inbox, it's gone for good.

It therefore cannot be forwarded to 7726 for investigation.

[Leanne_T]

Thanks @grsdev

I wasn't sure if you still had the screenshot you could send over to 7726. 

Thanks for letting me know 🙂

Leanne.

[grsdev]

@Leanne_T also that page is a great resource for the many people who may lack the common sense to see a scam for what it is from a mile away but it is not really named correctly because it doesn't help PREVENT the scam. It helps you RECOGNISE one and avoid falling for it.

PREVENTING the scam is something only the network operator can do by, for example, blocking inbound calls and text messages from callers/senders that have amassed sufficient reports of fraudulent activity.

[Leanne_T]

Thanks for the feedback @grsdev

Leanne.

[grsdev]

@Leanne_T I do still have the screenshot but it's just that, a screenshot (i.e, a PHOTO), not a text message.

[Leanne_T]

No problem @grsdev

Thanks for letting us know about this message. 

Leanne.

[HelenNorth]

I received a telephone last night and this morning 21st October - claiming to be EE offering to reduce my monthly bill. I have a direct line number for this man who then said he was in intermediary who would personally mange my account. He was very chatty.

I asked him to email me details of this new offer but he wanted details over the phone. I ended the call.

But as I say I have a direct line number for him. Does anyone at EE want this number and see if they can identify and prosecute - if it is a fraud?

[HelenNorth]

How do I forward the message?