Scams: Information about scams currently circulating

[SeanD]

Hi Everyone,

I would like to bring you some information about various scams that are out there at the moment.  The current climate has not stopped scammers from trying to take advantage so in cases like this, knowledge is power and the more you know about the types of scams doing the rounds, the better prepared you will be in spotting these before its too late.

The information I get will be coming from the BT Security teams who are working on protecting our customers from scammers.  This will allow me to give you advice and possibly even examples of what scammers are up to.  Each time I have something to share I will create a thread here on Community, but to make it easy to access, I will update this thread with the links to those articles.

For more advice from BT in relation to scams, please read more from this link, Be aware of scams - What to look out for and how to spot a scam 

Read more about BT's One-time PIN process.  Scammers may try to exploit this process so we have provided some guidance which will help you keep safe.

Scams to be aware of

• Scams which are being reported related to Amazon Prime and Coronavirus  - 31/03/2020 - *Update 17/07/20*
• Beware: Scammers pretending to be from BT  - 31/03/2020
• PayPal scam alert - 15/04/2020 - Updated 02/09/2020
• BT partnering with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) - 21/04/2020
• Rise in reported sextortion type scams  - 01/05/2020
• Beware! Survey popup scam  - 04/05/2020
• Scam Alert: Service suspension warning - 12/05/2020
• Scam alert: Phishing attempt targeting BT email customers  - 02/06/2020
• Scam alert: Phishing attempt related to BT billing - 09/06/2020
• What is call spoofing?  - 09/06/2020
• Here is a great article posted on Which in relation to scammers trying to take advantage of the NHS track and trace scheme, read more over at Which.co.uk and this article in particular Scam alert: fake NHS coronavirus contact tracing text 
• Which have recently added another article to support the article they have published around the NHS track and trace.  This is well worth a read, NHS COVID-19 contact tracing message: how can I tell if it’s real or a scam? Read more: https://www.... 
• Phishing website scam alert!  - 26/06/2020
• Scam Alert! Update your account info  - 15/07/2020
• Scam Alert: BT Billing phishing email  - 28/07/2020
• Scam Alert! Phishing email about new terms of service  - 05/08/2020
• Scam Alert! PayPal phishing attempt  - 05/08/2020
• Scam Alert! Zoom video conferencing platform fake text message - 07/08/2020
• Scam alert! Smishing attempts targeting BT customers  - 13/08/2020
• Scam awareness! Spot phishing and spam email  - 13/08/2020
• Scam Alert! Fake Voicemail scam  - 18/08/2020
• Scam Alert! TV License scam  - 18/08/2020
• Scam Alert! BT - Mobile number added to your account  - 19/08/2020
• Scam Alert! BT billing phishing attempt  - 02/09/2020
• Scam Alert! Phishing email related to updating your BT payment details - 14/10/2020
• Scam alert! Phishing email purporting to be from the DVLA - 14/10/2020
• Scam alert: COVID: The UK-GOV has issued a payment of £349.76  - 02/12/2020
• Scam Alert: Phishing email pretending to come from BT Billing  - 15/12/2020
• Scam Alert! NHS Text about the COVID vaccine - 06/01/2021
• Scam Alert: Caller purporting to be from BT, asking you to download an app to screen share - 22/01/2021
• Scam Alert: Phishing email about the COVID vaccine on the NHS  - 25/01/2021
• Scam Alert! Phone call followed by email, purporting to be from BT  - 27/01/2021
• Scam Alert! Automated voice message scam  - 05/03/2021
• Scam Alert! Caller claims to be from BT with a request you download Team Viewer  - 22/03/2021
• Scam Alert! Text message pretending to be from DHL regarding a delivery - 23/04/2021
• Scam Alert! Scam missed delivery texts and Flubot Malware - 26/04/21
• Scam Alert! Calls purporting to be from Mobile Network Operators  - 10/06/21
• Scam Alert! BT Package price increase scam  - 17/06/21
• Staying safe online: Free 10 minute training  - 07/10/21
• Text & WhatsApp messaging Scam purporting to be from a family member  - 19/10/21

I will continue to update this thread when I receive more information to share.  If you have come across any scams that are not included above, please post here to warn other customers, but don't forget, report these to phishing@bt.com, 

Cheers 

Sean

[Nikki71]

Hi

I have received an email today from BTVM@BTVM.com telling me I have a voice mail.  When I click the link it takes me to my Office 365 login page and from there it says there is an error.  I have looked at the community postings to see if there is anything about this and the only thing I can find is an announcement stating Digital Voice stuff is being rolled out.  I only have a basic landline which I don't use so have no calls included in my halo package so am none the wiser if this is a genuine message or a scam.  Is anyone able to advise, please?

[Carlusha]

I wouldn't have clicked a link in an email from an unknown source and, if by chance (very remote) I did, one that takes you to a login page should be deleted. 

You will find BTVM.com does not exist and may be cloaking the actual email address.

[Nikki71]

Thanks. Luckily Office 365 blocked it, however, the address doesn’t show as anything other than what it is. Normally when you click on a scam email it shows a different address at the bottom left of the screen, not so with this address. 

[SeanD]

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@Nikki71 wrote:

Hi

I have received an email today from BTVM@BTVM.com telling me I have a voice mail.  When I click the link it takes me to my Office 365 login page and from there it says there is an error.  I have looked at the community postings to see if there is anything about this and the only thing I can find is an announcement stating Digital Voice stuff is being rolled out.  I only have a basic landline which I don't use so have no calls included in my halo package so am none the wiser if this is a genuine message or a scam.  Is anyone able to advise, please?

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Hi @Nikki71,

Welcome back to the Community and thank you for sharing this information.  

I was speaking with our security team this morning and I highlighted your comments in relation to this particular scam.  They haven't come across it before but are very keen to look into this.  If you haven't already, would you mind forwarding on this dubious email to phishing@bt.com ?

We actively monitor and investigate anything sent to the above email address so it would be super helpful to see this particular example.

Cheers

Sean

[Nikki71]

Of course. I shall forward it now. For information my partner received 3 of the same on the same day and he doesn’t have a BT account!

[Anonymous]

I received a text from a withheld number claiming to be bt. Saying that my contract would be terminated if i did not login to fix my bill. The site that the text contained is https://bt-alerts.com/ . I have also sent an email to phishing@bt.com as well.

[Keith_Beddoe]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I received a text from a withheld number claiming to be bt. Saying that my contract would be terminated if i did not login to fix my bill. The site that the text contained . I have also sent an email to phishing@bt.com as well.

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That is a scam, quite a few people have received that one.

[Jobs2307]

I have just had a phone call with an automated message advising that my router will be disconnected for 3 days due to suspicious activity and to press 1 to speak to the support desk. The message didn't mention BT and I didn't press 1. 

Is this a scam? I can't find any issue on my account online.

Thanks

[Keith_Beddoe]

Scam.