Reports of "smishing" text message scams in the UK have risen "dramatically" in the first six months of 2021, consumer group Which? said on Tuesday.
Figures from spam text service Proofpoint show the attacks in the UK increased by nearly 700% in the first six months of 2021 compared to the second half of 2020.
Which? said the exponential rise has been driven by fraudsters look to take advantage of coronavirus pandemic-related shopping trends, such as people getting more deliveries to their homes, as well as the growth in businesses sending texts to customers.
What is a smishing scam?
Smishing is essentially the text message equivalent of phishing.
Whereas phishing uses emails to trick victims into giving personal information such as online passwords or credit card numbers, smishing uses SMS text messages.
Smishing messages frequently purport to be from banks, delivery companies and phone networks.
The latest Proofpoint figures show so-called parcel smishing attacks are outnumbering banking smishing attacks in the UK by a ratio of three to one - reflective of the pandemic-induced rise in e-commerce.
A more recent technique is voicemail smishing where scammers send a text pretending to have a link to a voicemail.
Business stages smishing fightback
Which? has published an SMS best practice guide for businesses to help protect their customers from potential fraud. Major banks and delivery companies such as Barclays, TSB, DPD and Hermes have agreed to adopt it.
Since establishing its own "scam sharer" tool in March 2021, Which? has received more than 9,000 reports to the tool. Sixty-five per cent of reports have been phone call or text scams - and 31 per cent have been scam texts specifically.
"Smishing attempts have risen dramatically - with fraudsters taking advantage of the pandemic to trick consumers into giving away personal details and transferring their hard-earned cash," said Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy.
"Businesses must play their part to protect people from scams."
He advised businesses should avoid hyperlinks where possible, and not include phone numbers.
Five ways to prevent smishing attacks
Reassuringly, Which? research found seven in 10 people said they do not trust text messages from companies to be free from scam risks.
There is also plenty of advice circulating to help people and businesses prevent smishing attacks.
The University of Hawai'i Federal Credit Union has compiled these five pointers.
1. Don’t reply to the text message or call the number.
2. Do a web search of both the number and the message content.
3. If the phishing message is spoofing a company, call the company directly.
4. Don’t click on any links in the message.
5. Utilise a VPN on your mobile device.
'Social engineering attacks' rise 88% in three years
The Which? findings were released as fraud prevention body Cifas and Mobile UK warned of an increase in "social engineering attacks" on mobile phone users.
Attempts by criminals to impersonate genuine customers of phone companies and hijack their accounts have increased significantly in recent years, they said.
Facility takeover fraud, whereby an existing mobile phone account is taken over by a fraudster, has increased by 88 per cent over the past three years in the telecommunications sector, with over 17,500 instances recorded in 2020.
Reports have also been received of criminals using other communications methods, such social media platforms, to impersonate mobile phone companies.
"If you receive a call from someone purporting to be a mobile phone company offering you a new mobile phone or an upgrade, always be sceptical and challenge the caller." said Cifas' head of fraud intelligence Amber Burridge.
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 2
Mane 51', Salah 53'
Chelsea 0
Man of the Match: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
John Cena v Triple H
Matches to be announced
WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Raw Tag Team Championship, United States Championship and the Cruiserweight Championship are all due to be defended
South Africa World Cup squad
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (w), JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX RESULT
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 1:39:46.713
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 00:00.908
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 00:12.462
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 00:12.885
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 00:13.276
6. Fernando Alonso, McLaren 01:11.223
7. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 1 lap
8. Sergio Perez, Force India 1 lap
9. Esteban Ocon, Force India 1 lap
10. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren 1 lap
11. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso 1 lap
12. Jolyon Palmer, Renault 1 lap
13. Kevin Magnussen, Haas 1 lap
14. Lance Stroll, Williams 1 lap
15. Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber 2 laps
16. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber 2 laps
17r. Nico Huelkenberg, Renault 3 laps
r. Paul Di Resta, Williams 10 laps
r. Romain Grosjean, Haas 50 laps
r. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 70 laps
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
