EE has warned all Android and iPhone owners over a text which will empty your bank account. The mobile phone provider says victims are being texted an urgent text message.
They are then asked to call a number. “Don’t call the number in the text message as you may be charged at premium rate,” EE warned.
It can swindle you out of cash and earn money for scammers by keeping you on a fraudulent premium phone call. “If you have a missed call from a number you don’t recognise, think twice before returning the call, and check whether it is a chargeable number,” EE said.
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“It asks you to call a certain number that is unknown to you. If in doubt, contact the company via a reputable source like their website or contact number on statements. The sender uses an urgent tone, telling you to ‘act now’.”
EE, on its website, carries a handy guide on how to spot scams and fraudulent messages. “If you’ve received a text, forward it (including the phone number or company name it was sent from) to 7726 free of charge so we can investigate it,” it warns.
“Forward suspicious emails to: [email protected]. The UK’s National Cyber Security Team will analyse it and, if its suspicious, act on it. If suspicious emails refer to EE, please also forward them to us at: [email protected].
“Always delete the message after reporting it.” In its guide, EE also says if you think your bank details have been compromised contact your bank immediately.
Make sure any anti-virus software you have on your device is up to date, the mobile phone provider and network added. EE also urges its customers across the country to “reset all passwords, especially for your email address” – and this is because “your device may be compromised”.
