Police issue warning as hundreds targeted by fraudsters in new ‘free electricity’ scam
Hundreds of people have been targeted with a fake email about 'free electricity'
PA
Hundreds of people have been targeted by fraudsters who are purporting to be energy suppliers and claiming to offer “free” or cheap electricity.
Action Fraud has received more than 800 reports relating to fake emails of this kind.
These scam emails urge the recipient to click a provided link, claiming they can check to see if they are eligible for the offer.
However, the links in the emails actually lead to a phishing website, designed to steal personal and financial information.
Action Fraud posted a warning on X, formerly known as Twitter
@ACTIONFRAUDUK | X
If a person has a doubt about a message, they should contact the organisation directly.
Action Fraud, which is the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, added: “Don’t use the numbers or address in the message – use the details from their official website.”
It’s also important to note that one’s bank, or any other official source, will never ask a person to supply personal information by email.
People are urged to forward suspicious emails to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) at report@phishing.gov.uk.
Action Fraud issued the warning on X, formerly known as Twitter, yesterday.
It warned: “SCAM: Watch out for these FAKE emails claiming to offer you free or cheap electricity.”
Action Fraud said reports of suspicious emails have led to the removal of 242,000 malicious websites as of June 2023.
People who think they’ve received a scam email should not click on any links in the scam email.
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Recipients are also urged not to reply to the email or contact the senders in any way.
Should a person have clicked on a link in the email, they are directed not to supply any information on the website that may open.
They should also not open any attachments that arrive with the email.
Action Fraud says: “If you think you may have compromised the safety of your bank details and/or have lost money due to fraudulent misuse of your cards, you should immediately contact your bank.”