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Original poster

I've been scammed - what should I do next?

19 replies

ivebeenscammed · 08/11/2021 08:41

I received a text on Saturday supposedly from Royal Mail, regarding a missed delivery.

I thought it was genuine because I was out at the time and I was expecting a delivery.

I followed the link and entered some personal details, can't remember what exactly...best case scenario - name and postcode, worst case scenario - name, address, dob and phone number.

It then asked for payment which I thought was suspicious so stopped there. When I got home I looked it up and found out it was a known scam.

What can I say, I should have been more vigilant. Itwas very convincing and I'm glad that I didn't enter financial information, but I'm really worried my ID could be stolen.

I have reported this to Action Fraud, but is there anything else I can do to protect myself now?

I fell for it because it fitted my exact circumstances at the time and was very convincing. I can see how this could happen to anyone as some of them are so convincing.

Thank you

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 08/11/2021 08:43

I don’t think there’s anything else you can do now
Lucky that you got suspicious before giving any financial info

FluffyPersian · 08/11/2021 08:46

Do you monitor your credit rating? It may be worth it, ensuring that noone uses your details to try and take out credit in your name / against your address.

I'd also be more vigilant in regards to what comes through your door as there are some convincing HMRC scams going around at the moment (right down to the correct type of paper / envelope used) and now they have your address, they may sell it on and you may have all kinds of things through your letterbox.

Did you have to enter an email address? A lot of public email addresses (Google etc) have quite good spam and phishing filters, but I'd suggest being very vigilant in regards to what emails you get - check the domain is correct, don't click any URL links or download any attachments unless you are 100% sure they are genuine and you were expecting the email.....

You had a 'Smish' (SMS Phishing), there's also the 'Vish' (Voice Phishing) and the more traditional Email Phishing stuff.... I wouldn't beat yourself up about it as you say - there are very convincing ones out there and I'd congratulate yourself that you didn't put your card details in the page as you worked out something wasn't right....

Original poster
ivebeenscammed · 08/11/2021 08:50

Thanks both for your advice. Yes, I'm signed up to the money saving expert monthly credit reports so I will keep checking them for anything suspicious.

If someone signs up for a credit card in your name, for example, I wonder how you prove it wasn't you? That's the kind of thing that worries me.

OP posts:

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Original poster
ivebeenscammed · 08/11/2021 08:53

I might have entered an email address, sorry to be vague have just got over COVID, but either way I will extra vigilant going forward.

OP posts:
slashlover · 08/11/2021 10:01

Forward the text to 7728 (spells SPAM). All the phone companies work together and will block the number after a few reports.

slashlover · 08/11/2021 10:02

Sorry, it's 7726.

tectonicplates · 08/11/2021 11:03

Yes, keep an eye on your credit rating/score. On the offchance that something dodgy turns up, you can actually get this corrected by reporting it. The main thing is to check it so that these things can be dealt with asap.

GrandOld · 08/11/2021 11:47

I think this one is pretty easy to get caught up in if you are expecting a parcel!

I got one, didn't click the link but did have to think about it for a few minutes !

SW1amp · 08/11/2021 12:31

I fell for this a few months ago - same as you, I was expecting a delivery...

I've had a few calls since from crypto currency trading companies, asking for me by name, so I assume that's where my details ended up but no actual identity fraud so far

Sexnotgender · 08/11/2021 12:33

Get yourself a CIFAS cat 0, it’ll cost you about £20 for the year.

Sexnotgender · 08/11/2021 12:34

Details
www.cifas.org.uk/pr

Original poster
ivebeenscammed · 08/11/2021 17:58

@SW1amp

I fell for this a few months ago - same as you, I was expecting a delivery...

I've had a few calls since from crypto currency trading companies, asking for me by name, so I assume that's where my details ended up but no actual identity fraud so far

It's so easy to do isn't it? If I'd received this text but wasn't expecting a delivery I'd have totally dismissed it. I guess the scammers bank on the fact it fits your circumstances in the moment! Glad you have been ok so far.
OP posts:
Original poster
ivebeenscammed · 08/11/2021 17:59

@Sexnotgender

Get yourself a CIFAS cat 0, it’ll cost you about £20 for the year.
Thank you so much- this is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for! Will definitely apply for one.
OP posts:
Original poster
ivebeenscammed · 08/11/2021 17:59

Thanks everyone for your advice Smile

OP posts:
Suzysuz · 08/11/2021 18:02

Just keep an eye out for anything going forward and be extra suspicious, you're likely on a list of potential vulnerable-to-be-scammed - my dad chatted to the scam 'from BT helping your internet connection' and where they call from a number with 3 digits different to yours (if landline) so you think it's okay to chat as they are local etc. He didn't give too many details so no real damage but he did get a lot more suspect calls and emails after that

londonmummy1966 · 08/11/2021 18:06

Interestingly I also had this a couple of months ago when I was expecting a delivery - I wonder if there is a "tip off" somewhere telling the scammers that a delivery is expected?

Original poster
ivebeenscammed · 08/11/2021 19:41

@londonmummy1966

Interestingly I also had this a couple of months ago when I was expecting a delivery - I wonder if there is a "tip off" somewhere telling the scammers that a delivery is expected?
Makes you wonder doesn't it!
OP posts:
Original poster
ivebeenscammed · 08/11/2021 19:43

@Suzysuz

Just keep an eye out for anything going forward and be extra suspicious, you're likely on a list of potential vulnerable-to-be-scammed - my dad chatted to the scam 'from BT helping your internet connection' and where they call from a number with 3 digits different to yours (if landline) so you think it's okay to chat as they are local etc. He didn't give too many details so no real damage but he did get a lot more suspect calls and emails after that
Sorry to hear about your dad, so annoying to get all these calls. A few months ago I answered a call from a random local number, said hello then the line went dead, got loads of calls afterwards. I ignored them and they stopped after a few days.
OP posts:
outofservice · 08/11/2021 19:48

This happened to my mum last week. She cancelled her cards. Nothing had been taken from her account but she was advised to be aware of phone calls from the ‘bank’. Don’t give any details over the phone if someone you are not expecting rings. They may sound very convincing having your name / account number etc.

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