Fake mortgage scammers at work in Somerset
There has been a spate of fake mortgage offers across the country in the last few weeks. The emails purport to be from mortgage lenders offering low rate mortgages “for a limited time”. Recipients following the links in the email are lead to malicious websites designed to steal personal and financial information.
Action Fraud received 538 reports nationally in just two weeks relating to similar emails. Some of these were sent to Somerset residents. PCC Mark Shelford is warning local people to remain vigilant. He says: “Remember, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
Your bank (or any other official source) will never ask you to supply personal information via email. If you have spotted or received a suspicious email please report it. You can forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) – report@phishing.gov.uk
If you have doubts about an email or message, contact the organisation directly before sharing any personal or financial information. Do not use the numbers of address in the email – use the details from their official website.
PCC Mark Shelford adds: “Heartless criminals are taking advantage of people’s concerns relating to their mortgages by offering rates as “low as 2.39%” to lure people into phishing scams. The websites set up by criminals disguise themselves as a trustworthy source in order to steal personal and financial data for their own gain. We need to let as many people know that such scams are circulating to ensure we prevent people from falling victim.”