I'm worried I've given my details to a scammer

[falleninlove]

I got the text message below

GOVUK: We have identified you as eligible for a discounted energy bill under the Energy Bill Support Scheme. You can apply here: link removed by MNHQ

So I clicked on the link and it is a government website so I thought it was ok (I know, I know......). Anyway the first 2 pages ask for name, address, date of birth, phone number, energy supplier. And then the last page asks for bank details and I realised at that point that I'd been very very stupid and I shut down the page.

So if I've input name, address, date of birth, mobile number will they use this or are they just after my bank details? I'm really worried. Is there anything I can do?

Any advice gratefully received. No nasty comments please. I realise I've been very stupid and I'm very worried

I did the same thing once OP (the post office misdelivery text measage scam) and I also stopped after entering name address phone but before bank details.

The only thing that happened so far is I got waaay more scam phone calls. Have now bought a phone that won’t let calls through unless the caller says who they are (so recorded messages can’t call).

By the wag OP I haven’t clicked the link in your OP but am hoping you haven’t accidentally posted the scam link on mumsnet??

Yep, that’s what the OP’s done! Needs an edit from @MNHQ

They can't scam you financially because you haven't given them any banking details, but as a PP mentioned, you will very likely get an increase in scam calls and text messages/whatsapp messages because 1) you have confirmed the number is an active one by replying and 2) you submitted some personal details so you will likely be seen as a soft target.

Just to confirm, you didn't submit any 'security' answers, did you? (Such as "the first road you lived on", "mother's maiden name" etc?) If you did, I would start contacting companies and getting the questions and answers changed immediately.

OP my mum fell for a similar scam but did enter her bank details. She has had an increase in scam calls and texts and so has had to get a new number. We also got her to tell her bank just in case and put alerts on her credit record through Credit Karma (it’s free).

You can also report the scam text, details are here www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams/report-scam-text-message

You say "it was a government website" but how did you come to this conclusion?

Here are a few things to know that might help you be more critical in future:

1. Anyone can buy a webpage address (which is what gives it the blahblah.com name) and they can seem very official. ONLY governments are allowed to have the '.gov' at the end. ANYONE (including scammers) can buy a .com
2. Anyone can design a webpage and use whatever logos they want. A website can easily be made to look identical to a 'real' government webpage, including images, layout, buttons and any information can be copied and pasted.

Reported the OP as well for you if that’s the actual scammer link

Hopefully you’ll just get an increase in annoying scammy texts as that’s all the info they have on you. Any calls you get saying they are from your bank etc, hang up and don’t then call back on the same phone. Use another phone or mobile or call yours first. They stay on the line and then play a dial tone and then pretend to be the bank etc, just be super careful going forward.

Yeah as the others have said OP, just an increased attempt at scammers contacting you so please be vigilant.

Government texts don't come from mobile numbers and the you don't need to sign up for the money. If they ever need your details they'll send a letter.

Did you click through each of the first 2 pages? Or was it scrolling down the page?

If you clicked next etc then it depends on how the back end of the website is set up- but they probably did scrape your details. Sorry.

Yes that link is definitely a scam one.

Fyi the recent government (real) emails do not contain any links. You are forced to log in through your regular route (IE to check your tax code).

Never ever click on a link in a text.

And the energy subsidy is going straight into your energy account. As consumers we need to do exactly nothing.

With those details that you disclosed the only thing you can do now (other than move house, not helpful) is to set up a permanent credit check checker - ie if anyone applies for ANYTHING in your name you get an alert.

Look up Experian as they do this service. Worth doing.

Lesson learned. Dont trust anyone or any organisation online.
Be ultra cynical. Assume the worst.
Sorry the world is indeed shit.