ENERGY BILL DISCOUNT SCAM

[jinasc]

Apology in advance for going off piste, I am breaking the rule and making an exception this time.

SCOTTISH BORDERS ALERT

Energy Bill Discount Scam Text

We have been made aware of a new text message scam relating to the UK government energy bill discount scheme.

Do not reply to texts or emails of this nature or follow any links – these are designed to gain your bank details and defraud you.

The £400 discount is automatically being paid in 6 instalments starting October 2022 via direct refund from energy suppliers – customers do not need to take any action. gov.uk/government/news/400-....

For information on Scams and Frauds and how to avoid them visit the Police Scotland website ow.ly/EAQC50KQqOZ or the Trading Standards Scotland website ow.ly/brXz50KQqP1 or download the latest “Little Book of Big Scams” from Cyber Scotland ow.ly/HiZy50KQqP0

[Seacat30]

EDF has also sent customers an email explaining exactly how the discount will work and warning against scam messages.

[jinasc in reply to Seacat30]

Yes I received mine yesterday morning...............however, people don't always read write through to the end. So..............

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Seacat30]

So have British Gas - very quick off the mark -email dtd 15 Aug!

[Suffererc]

I had the scan last week. Fell for it but straight away cancelled my bank card. I have reported to 7726.

Will it ever end

[jinasc in reply to Suffererc]

Thank goodness you were quick of the mark. All of us can be conned at some time or another during our lifetime. It has just become a serious problem with the net. TIm Berners Lee could never have seen the way that people would abuse the web.

[Koalajane]

my husband received this and quickly realised it was a scam when asked for his bank card details!

[jinasc]

It is odd, the minute someone ask for Bank Card details, are big red flashing light coming up on your screen would be a bonus as an alert.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I think the scammers are beginning to realise that we have cottoned on to that - I was scammed using PayPal as the payment method. PayPal were brilliant - I realised what was going on and contacted them. They stopped the payment - the cheeky scam sod rang me to "explain" the next day why I shouldn't make the complaint. He got short shrift!

[jinasc in reply to PMRpro]

Unbelievable - probably because PayPal chucked him off - although a new email and name ?

Perhaps because I started off with steam typewriters and end up on mainframes - I am very wary....... so call blockers and Steve put me onto Avast years ago and it work has increased.

Loved my milk bill this month 2 pints gone up from £3.84 to £4.04 - hope the . 🐮🐄🐮🐄got a pay rise. 😉😉