Authorities and organisations are issuing warnings to Brits to remain vigilant over the Christmas period as scam parcel delivery texts are set to spike.
You may remember that in 2020 – and continuing into 2021 – there was significant rise in sophisticated scamming and phishing activity throughout the pandemic, with scammers found to have been carrying out fraudulent activity under the guise of just about everything from Amazon Prime, and hot tub sales companies, to social media platforms such as Facebook, and even the NHS.
It’s all part of what’s known as ‘Smishing’ – or ‘SMS phishing – and it’s where fraudsters send texts to mobile phones in the hope that people will click on a link to download malicious software, or give away their private data.
It was even found, thanks to a survey by consumer group Which?, that 60% of Brits received fake texts as scammers impersonate delivery companies during the pandemic.
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And that, unfortunately, only looks set to continue over the festive season, as it’s being reported by the BBC that more than a million scam texts will be sent in the UK in just this week alone.
More than half of those will use parcel deliveries to try to trick consumers.
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🤔 Received a suspicious message that you're unsure about?
Fake messages can be difficult to spot and criminals put in a lot of effort to make their communication look legitimate so it’s important to take your time and not act too quickly.https://t.co/AzELWBNpEt#12Fraudspic.twitter.com/Cbyn0qdnif
One cyber-security firm, Proofpoint – which works with regulators and retailers, collating and analysing ‘smishing’ texts – says it is seeing ten times more scam messages this year than last, and its Vice President of Operations, Jacinta Tobin, said a mix of COVID and Christmas makes the texts more tempting.
“We are totally susceptible, because we trust and we act quickly,” she said, with 98% of people reading a text within three minutes.
“And up to only a few years ago texts were used by friends and families.”
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Ms Tobin also pointed out that fraudsters use fear to manipulate us, and this is just one way to spot a scam, adding: “We don’t want to miss that parcel or present [and] we are seeing more and more urgent messages warning packages will be returned unless action is taken.”
While we know that the run-up to the big day is a time when fraudsters will be hard at work, Proofpoint is also warning Brits that after Christmas, there is also expected to be a spike in scam texts regarding Boxing Day sales, deals, and discounts.
Scam texts related to the new Omicron variant are also said to be expected.
More than a million scam texts will be sent in the UK in just this week alone / Credit: Twitter (@RoyalMail)
So, what’s the advice then? And what are delivery companies saying about the scams?
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This past year, the Royal Mail says it has been contacted by 60,000 members of the public concerned about texts or emails pretending to be them, and as a result, 40,000 websites have been taken down or blocked within 24 hour that claim to be for Royal Mail parcel fees.
Adam Christie – Privacy Manager at the Royal Mail – said consumers will never receive just a text or email from them asking for money or more information.
“The business is doing everything it can to deliver Christmas to people,” he said, “but we would urge people to be suspicious and not to click on any links they are sent unless they are 100% certain it’s from us.”
A spokesperson for Hermes also said: “We’re aware of a phishing attempt claiming to be Hermes where individuals are receiving a text message including a link to pay for parcel delivery.
“We would never ask for payment in this way.”
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Royal Mail, UKFinance, and Proofpoint are currently all urging consumers to forward dodgy texts so that they can take action.
Man who stabbed beloved gran to death sentenced to hospital order
Daisy Jackson
The man who stabbed Michelle Hodgkinson to death in broad daylight in Tameside has been sentenced to a hospital order.
Paul Hughes, 30, was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court today after his arrest on 3 June 2023 on suspicion of murder.
He was deemed too mentally unwell to stand trial – at the time of Michelle’s murder he was suffering from a schizophrenic attack at the time of the incident and still is suffering from Schizophrenia.
On 2 June 2023, Hughes brought a four-pack of kitchen knives, boarded a tram to Droylsden and headed to a canal path, where he appeared to be ‘lying in wait’ for someone to walk past him.
Tragically, that person was Michelle Hodgkinson, who walked past on her way to meet her mother.
She was followed, attacked from behind and stabbed multiple times.
The attack was captured on dashcam footage and several witnesses came forward to police with statements.
The court heart this week that despite being unwell, Hughes carefully planned the attack.
Hughes bought a pack of kitchen knives and waited down a canal path before he stabbed a stranger, a 51-year-old woman, on 2 June 2023.
Michelle died at the scene on Edge Lane despite the best efforts of passers-by who tried to give her first aid, and the emergency services.
Detective Chief Inspector Danny Lee of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Michelle’s death has left a void in her family, and nothing will fix the pain they are feeling. I hope that they can gain some form of closure and justice from the sentence passed today.
“I’d like to thank the members of the public who rushed to Michelle’s side and the first responders, both paramedics and response police officers who also attended the scene to give CPR in an attempt to give her the best possible chance of life.
“It is a moment to recognise, however, the devastation knife crime causes in our communities. Across Greater Manchester, officers and staff are working hard to fight, prevent and reduce this type of crime.
In a previous tribute to Michelle Hodgkinson, her family have said: “Everyone who knows Michelle are still in utter shock at the attack she endured and how horrific her last moments were.
“Our Shelly B was the most amazing, loving, selfless and funny daughter, mother, mother-in-law, sister, auntie and most recently a nanna. It was a privilege to have been known and loved by her. She loved helping people in her community and was known for volunteering as an appropriate adult, her charity work and loved creating hampers to make people smile.
“She would be there for anyone and the day she was taken from us, she was doing just that – walking to meet her mum to take her shopping and to go for a coffee.
“Our family and friends are heartbroken. In one moment our world has crumbled and will never be the same. We will support each other, and we thank and appreciate the love and support shown by our family and friends. Please hold your loved ones close, tell them you love them and make memories.
“Words cannot describe how much she will be missed. Our biggest cheerleader, our confidant, our rock – she will never be forgotten. We love you to the moon and back!
10 ‘high-risk’ Manchester football fans arrested following recent violent disorder
Emily Sergeant
Several arrests have been made this week following an incident of violent disorder linked to a football match a few months back.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Specialist Operations branch were joined by colleagues from across the force – including those in Challenger teams – as they conducted several arrests around Greater Manchester this past Wednesday (13 December) in relation to violent disorder that recently took place.
The violent disorder in question occurred the day before Manchester United and faced FC Twente in the Champions League back in September.
Prior to the match, police say it is believed that a targeted and organised large-scale fight took place in the Lower Broughton area of Salford, all before the group of supporters then headed towards Manchester city centre.
As a result, 10 supporters – who are men aged between 20 and 64, and police say are suspected to be “high-risk” – are now in custody for questioning as investigations continue.
#ARREST | Earlier today we arrested 10 suspects in relation to violence that occurred the day before a game involving Manchester United and FC Twente.
Violence of any sort, whether it’s linked to football or not, will not be tolerated.
On top of this, when officers entered two properties on their search mission, two separate cannabis farms were found, and this meant that a 36-year-old woman was also subsequently arrested on suspicion of cultivation.
With the Manchester Derby now only days away, GMP says these arrests are a reminder that violence of any sort, whether it’s linked to football or not, “will not be tolerated” in our region.
Speaking ahead of the massive Premier League clash this weekend, Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, from GMP’s Specialist Operations division, commented: “With another big fixture coming this weekend, we want to send a strong message and reassurance that our specialised officers will be deployed to ensure you remain safe and peace is maintained, so you can enjoy the game.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd December 2021 
