The crooks sent official-looking text messages to people warning them that there is “missing information” on the apps. He then invites them to update their information by clicking on a website address to “avoid prosecution and a £ 1,000 fine”.
Once the forms are filled out, the site asks for a payment of £ 1.25 and invites people to enter their card details.
Screenshots of the text and of the following website were shared by CrimeGirl – an influential Twitter account operated by an anonymous lawyer.
She then showed how “compelling” the website was because it copied the official government census “page for page” – even bearing the logo of the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
However, one glaring error was the website URL – which ended in .com unlike all UK government websites that end in .gov.
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But unfortunately the crooks keep making new ones.
A lot of people have to hand over money because it is a criminal offense to fail to complete the census.
It takes place every 10 years to collect information on the population to help inform national and local policies.
The questionnaire focuses on topics such as religion, education, ethnicity and health.
Failure to complete it may result in a fine of £ 1000.
And with the March 21 deadline passed, criminals continue to prey on people’s paranoia.
Action Fraud reassured people that “for a fine to be imposed, your case must go to court for non-completion of the census.”
He added: “You will never be fined by text message, phone call, email or social media.
“You will not be fined for an error in your census.”
It then asks people who come into contact with one of the sites to contact them.
Consumer watchdog Which one? also warned people about the messages.
He tweeted a picture of a text and wrote: “SCAM ALERT! We have seen several variations of this census scam circulating online.
“Any letters, phone calls, texts or emails that attempt to accept payment for a late or incorrect census submission are scams.”
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Source: feedproxy.google.com
This notice was published: 2021-05-19 21:45:00
