Victims report losing over £200,000, as fraudsters claim to be from TV Licensing

Customers Receive Bogus TV Dues, Vaccine Certificates And Bank Transfer Mails

An increase in internet usage during the lockdown led to the growth of multiple variations of scams. Banks like RBS reported their customers are getting messages which promise free supermarket vouchers or require customers to pay for legal / imposed penalties. People are getting bogus tax refunds and vaccine cards. 

The fraudster groups post adverts that promise to offer medical packages with NHS Covid passes, letters and vaccine cards for a small fee. The communications claim the vaccines are toxic and users need not get them; they can get the certificates and documents required for travelling overseas through other means. 

They assure the customers will get valid, registered certificates for it. Authorised institutions are working to develop verifiable credential mechanisms to prevent such multiple data entries.  

Banks have released advisory asking users to secure their PIN and password and not reveal/tell about it to anyone. They have advised bank customers not to disclose the OTPs when accessing online banking or register to mobile apps. 

How Does It Happen?

Everyone in the UK, excluding those on the pension credits clause, has to pay for a TV license and get a bill. Nevertheless, people received warnings in the last few months that the fraudsters sought users' personal information and payment details against fake licensing bills. 

The customers got a message stating that their direct debit payment failed and they needed to renew their license before it expired. The TV License issued a warning on its social media site to help users differentiate between fake and authentic mails. 

The mail encourages people to click on a link embedded in the message that comes with the text renew, and the user is asked to make payment by providing their Direct Debit card details. The message appears genuine and reliable and resembles the login site address and appearance, but it is part of the scam. 

The users who make payments through bank accounts get the link to enter their bank details. Then, as the payment is processed, a prompt appears against it. 

But, in the fraudulent cases, the criminals pretending to be from the bank ask the client to give away the details related to the bank account. For example, they ask to transfer money or give away the card reader codes to access the user's account.  

How To Protect Yourself?

The TV Licence explained to the users who make payments through the registered payment app that they need to check for the noreply address and the user's name. 

All users should carefully see the email address and select the sender name and address to see the actual address. They should not transfer money instantly and avoid making payment when the messages say "urgent payment required."

Also, TV licensing has clearly stated they use the name of customers in their mails unless it has been purposely removed (in the case when you do not need a license). 

They advised customers to look for the exact name and postcode. They made it clear that their organisation never sends official emails where the messages say "Dear Customer"; rather, all such texts are sent from the address "do not reply." 

The fraudsters will try to disguise the email address, but they cannot use the original, and the customers should try to look for the symbols between the signs <> to find the user address. 

If you have made fund transfers to any such account, immediately call your bank and report the matter to the officials. Also, report it to the regulatory authorities.