COMPLAINTS to Britain’s scam text watchdog have nearly doubled in the past three months, The Sun on Sunday can reveal.
The rise is being driven by fake Royal Mail texts sent by fraudsters using Chinese-made super sim farm machines, which churn out thousands of bogus messages a minute.
3
3
Victims are told a Royal Mail parcel is awaiting collection.
But when they try to pay the fee the fraudsters con them out of their bank details.
Last week, a specialist police squad arrested eight people across the UK over the scam.
The Information Commissioner’s Office received 2,542 complaints over nuisance and fraudulent texts from the public last month. In January it was 1,668.
Martyn James, of complaints service Resolver, said: “The Royal Mail scam is causing huge problems.
FIRMS DISH DOSH
Amazon to Amex – these firms are giving away free money to get you to spend
DUE CREDIT
Millions with hidden disabilities could get £600 on top of Universal Credit
SALE ON
Best Bank Holiday sales including up to 70% off at Currys, Boots and ASOS
SIP ON THIS
Aperol and Pimms beaten by supermarket own brands in blind taste test
UNHAPPY MEAL
McDonald’s Happy Meal Pokemon cards being sold in sets for over £100 on eBay
TIGHT MOVE
Two-bed house narrower than a London bus on the market for £430k in seaside town
“This increase will definitely be down to that. People are being bombarded. It’s out of control.
“Everyone is a customer of Royal Mail in some form so it gets people. It needs to be taken more seriously.”
Sim farms can be bought for under £100. Crooks are thought to use them from vehicles so they cannot be traced.
3
National fraud reporting centre Action Fraud teaches you how to avoid online scams
