Crisis Grant

I presume it's a scam...?

Didn't find your answer?

I received a text asking me to follow a link to receive a Covid-19 £1500 grant. The webpage it took me to looked like a genuine .gov page (header, footer, questions/replies in a HMRC format, but on closer inspection, the url ended   .com 

A warning.

Replies (15)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

Scalloway Castle
By scalloway
12th Jul 2020 20:03

Clicking on your link just brings up a warning page so I guess it is most likely a scam.

Thanks (0)
Replying to scalloway:
Psycho
By Wilson Philips
12th Jul 2020 20:39

Why would you even think about clicking on a link in a comment about a likely scam?

Some people never learn.

To the OP - rather poor form to include a clickable link like that in your post.

Thanks (2)
Replying to Wilson Philips:
Flag of the Soviet Union
By thevaliant
12th Jul 2020 23:38

Sometimes it just isn't that dangerous.
I disable Java script on ALL websites, and disable ALL cookies.
I then whitelist sites I really want to use.

I clicked the link too. It went 'nowhere' for me, possibly because Javascript is disabled. The web address is interesting. It looks like it might be a uk.gov website but then you realise the gov is at the start, and it ends with .com, suggesting it is (at least) a company, and therefore a likely scam.

Thanks (0)
Replying to thevaliant:
Psycho
By Wilson Philips
13th Jul 2020 08:09

“Sometimes it just isn’t that dangerous”

I assume you’re a regular customer of BetFred, Ladbrokes etc.

Disabling JavaScript and, especially, cookies offers little protection.

Thanks (0)
Replying to Wilson Philips:
blue sheep
By NH
13th Jul 2020 06:37

I agree, that link should be taken down, however one would have thought on a forum for professionals who are in a business that uses IT every day that no one would be stupid enough to assume this was anything other than a scam, and certainly not be a complete idiot and click on it.....
1. look at the URL - clearly not .gov.uk
2. if in doubt go to gov.uk and do a search
The most basic cyber security advice there is

Thanks (0)
Replying to scalloway:
ALISK
By atleastisoundknowledgable...
12th Jul 2020 20:40

You see, my iPhone doesn’t bring up a warning page, but a page which does look fairly like a gov.uk page.

Thanks (0)
Replying to atleastisoundknowledgable...:
Psycho
By Wilson Philips
12th Jul 2020 20:52

Seriously? “Presume it’s a scam” but went ahead and clicked anyway?

Thanks (0)
Replying to atleastisoundknowledgable...:
avatar
By Paul Crowley
13th Jul 2020 08:45

DELETE THE LINK FROM QUESTION PLEASE

Thanks (0)
avatar
By frankfx
12th Jul 2020 21:42

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-spot-a-fake-fraudu...

This may be a timely reminder to stay alert on web and text messages, and caution our clients .

With Gov promoting SEISS / furlough / BB no wonder scammers are alert to the opportunities

OP you may want to get back to Apple and ask how the text message got past their filters .

Did the link have a ' padlock icon' prefix on the URL?

Thanks (0)
Replying to frankfx:
Psycho
By Wilson Philips
12th Jul 2020 22:00

Don’t think it has anything to do with Apple etc - more the network provider. I used to get text messages telling me my Revolut account had been blocked (before I even had an account). Reported to 7726 and haven’t had one since.

Thanks (2)
avatar
By paul.benny
13th Jul 2020 08:41

The web address (superficially) looks like a gov one but look more carefully - it's actually .com

Definitely a scam.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By Wanderer
13th Jul 2020 09:30

atleastisoundknowledgable... wrote:
Deleted
Deleted
Deleted.

Deleted. 

Why delete the whole question, why not delete the clickable link or space that out so not clickable.
As a regular on this forum I think the community would think you would understand the annoyance when OPs completely delete their questions.
Thanks (0)
Replying to Wanderer:
ALISK
By atleastisoundknowledgable...
13th Jul 2020 09:46

fair cop.

Thanks (0)
By ireallyshouldknowthisbut
13th Jul 2020 11:59

@ALISK, Scalloway and anyone else visiting the site.

As a precaution I would suggest you run a full virus check on your machine and anything connected to it.

Its easy to click when your brain is elsewhere, so long as you do not enter anything you should be fine, but a paranoia check is probably a plan.

Thanks (0)
Replying to ireallyshouldknowthisbut:
Scalloway Castle
By scalloway
13th Jul 2020 14:01

My browser blocked it before I got there.

Thanks (0)