Halifax is used by millions of people right across the country for their savings needs. While the bank is a trusted name, not all correspondence which purports to be from this source can be trusted. This is because some are using the provider’s good name to lead Britons into a false sense of security.
This is due to the fact that, as many have correctly identified, the text message is a scam.
Dubbed “smishing”, the text version of “phishing”, this method is commonly used by cybercriminals as an innocuous way of gaining information.
The fraudsters set up an official-looking website and lure, or fish, a person by sending a text which requires them to take action.
When individuals are redirected to this website, they are likely to enter personal and banking information, believing they are securing their account.
But Britons who fall victim are in fact gifting their sensitive data to the cybercriminals without these fraudsters having to put in significant effort.
The website can be used as a source of harvesting these details with ease, leaving the cybercriminals to get away.
The consequences, though, for savers could be devastating, with some reporting having their bank accounts cleared out, or their identity stolen to make expensive purchases in their name.
Halifax has confirmed the correspondence is a scam, taking to social media to warn others.
Its team said: “There seems to be a batch of these scam texts being sent. As you’ve spotted, this isn’t genuine.
“Our security team have already been made aware. Please delete the message and do not click on the link. Thanks for letting us know.”
The bank has informed Britons they can forward scam texts to 7726 free of charge from their mobile to report this as a scam.
But for those who have parted with personal details, quick action will be required.
Individuals are encouraged to reach out immediately to their bank who may be able to put a stop on any transactions, and Action Fraud, to report the matter at large.
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