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.
Police appeal after teenage girl reports being sexually assaulted in a Stretford park
Emily Sergeant
An urgent appeal for information has been issued after a teenage girl reported being sexually assaulted in a park in Stretford.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers attended Victoria Park, in the Stretford area, earlier this week on Tuesday night (21 July) following reports that a teenage girl had been sexually assaulted.
The incident is reported to have happened between 5:30pm and 5:44pm, and the offender is described to be an older white male of a large build who was wearing a black t-shirt.
No arrests have been made at this time, GMP confirmed, and enquiries are ongoing.
As police continue their investigation at pace, a public appeal for information has been issued in the hopes that someone can come forward and provide the details needed to track down the offender.
“Detectives are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry and the victim is being fully supported by specially trained officers,” explained Detective Superintendent Suzanne Keenaghan, from GMP’s Trafford district.
“There will be an increased police presence in and around Victoria Park while officers continue their investigation and provide reassurance to the local community.”
Police say they are ‘particularly keen’ to hear from anyone who was in the park at the time, or who may have CCTV, doorbell, mobile phone or dashcam footage from the area.
Anyone with information can speak to police officers at the scene, call 101, or contact GMP via LiveChat at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 3029 of 21/07/26.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
News
Business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues to be slashed by 20% next year
Emily Sergeant
Business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues across England are set to be slashed by 20% next year.
Continuing on with his week of, seemingly, introducing a new measure a day amid the cost of living crisis, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has now announced that he has taken action to cut business rates for pubs, social clubs, and live music venues across England from April next year.
It’s expected that these new business rate cuts will benefit nearly 32,000 pubs, clubs and live music venues, saving the typical pub an estimated £1,100 in the next financial year.
“For too long, the pubs, social clubs, and live music venues that form the backbone of local high streets have been replaced by boarded up windows and for sale signs,” the Government said in a statement as the cuts were announced today.
Andy Burnham is slashing business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues by 20% next year / Credit: John Arano (via Unsplash) | Wikimedia Commons
These changes are set to be fully funded by the Government – including through reviewing reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution to local communities, such as vape shops for example.
The Government says it also plans to crack down on businesses that sell through online marketplaces but do not comply with their tax obligations, which therefore puts them at an unfair advantage over businesses that do play by the rules.
I’m giving thousands of pubs, clubs and music venues a 20% cut in business rates.
I won’t stand by while these cherished local spaces disappear, replaced by boarded-up windows and ‘For Sale’ signs.
They’re the heart of our communities and it’s time we backed them.
“Pubs, clubs and live music venues are at the heart of communities across the UK,” explained Chancellor John Healey. “They help make a place what we love. They bring people together, support local jobs and help keep high streets, and town centres busy, which is why we will back them all the way.
“We are determined to bring hope back, give businesses the support they need and generate growth in every postcode.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham added: “For too long, Governments have stood by while cherished venues have disappeared from our local high streets. So today I am changing that.
“This Government will back the businesses that people want to see in their communities. I said I would protect pubs and local high streets, and that’s what we will do. What we’re announcing today is just the start as we work to bring back hope across the country.”
Emily Sergeant -
23rd December 2021 
