Those in the UK should be on alert for fake messages claiming they have been fined for leaving the house during the movement restrictions placed during the coronavirus outbreak.
The messages make it appear that the government is tracking the phones of their citizens in a bid to determine if they have been flouting movement restrictions, and consequently applying fines for those that do.
Examples of the messages can be seen below.
We would like to inform you that you have been recorded as leaving your home on 3 occasions yesterday. A fine of £35 had been added to your gov.uk account. For further information please visit gov.uk/coronavirus-penalty-payment-tracking. Protect the NHS. Save lives.
and
You have been out of your house 3 times today, you are in breach of government guidelines. Your £30 fine will automatically be added to your bill.
and
GOV.UK ALERT
CORONAVIRUS
It has come to our attention that you have been out of the house more than once. Due to this irresponsible behaviour, we are issuing you a formal warning and £250 fine. If this continues, the fine could increase to a maximum of £5000 and/or an arrest. Payment will be taken automatically out of your account. Call 0800 345 999 for any enquiries or to appeal.
The messages are fake. The UK government is not letting UK residents know of fines through text messages. Cyber crooks have spoofed the Government identity using free tools available online, meaning the message may appear in the same thread as legitimate messages from the government.
However there are still a number of red flags that give this away as fake.
– The messages first appeared early on Wednesday. However the emergency legislation that gives the government power to issue fines for flouting movement restrictions wasn’t expected to be ratified by Thursday.
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– The UK government isn’t tracking phones in order to issue fines. Given the nature of the current restrictions in the UK (residents are allowed to walk dogs, go to shops, go to work and exercise) using mobile phone data to determine if a person is flouting movement restrictions would not be feasible.
– Some examples of the message contains poor grammar.
– The message ambiguously alludes to a “bill” or “gov.uk” account.
Recipients of these messages should simply ignore them.
Equally UK residents are also advised to watch out for more malicious text message and email scams that urge recipients to click a link to claim an HMRC tax refund issued because of the coronavirus outbreak as we discuss here.
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