A prominent UK sports commentator, presenter, and broadcaster is urging others to stay alert after her mother was targeted in a new WhatsApp scam.
In a bid to warn as many people as possible, Jacqui Oatley MBE took to Twitter to share screenshots of WhatsApp messages on her mum’s phone that appear to have been sent by her.
The star, who currently works for Sky Sports and has worked for BBC Sport, ITV Sport and several radio channels in the past, warned people to look out for the ‘incredibly believable’ scam.
The clever messages almost scammed Jacqui’s ‘lovely, kind mum’ out of £2,291, before their ‘terrible’ grammar alerted her suspicion.
My dad got one of those. He sensed there might be an issue in that I don't often call him 'Mum'. pic.twitter.com/HPKZXGkNAV
Several people have since been sharing screenshots of similar messages with the con artists.
The messages typically begin with either ‘Hi Mum’ or ‘Hi Dad’. The scammer says they are messaging from a different, unknown phone because they have lost or damaged their own.
Preying on emotions, the fraudster pretends they are in trouble and need their parent’s help.
In the case of Jacqui’s mum, the scammer engaged in small talk before saying said they had had the ‘worse day ever’ and that they were ‘stressed’, asking if she could pay off some bills.
Jacqui shared the screenshots with the message: “I’m keen to warn you about a scam which my lovely, kind mum so nearly fell for. It was incredibly believable.
PARENTS – FRAUD ALERT.
Someone is trying to scam me, right now, on WhatsApp.
It’s latest one doing the rounds “Dad, can you help me?”
“Someone pretends to be you but on a different number, contacts someone close to you and asks them to quickly pay a bill for you before you pay them back.”
Someone else shared a similar exchange where the scammer claimed the victim’s daughter had dropped their phone down the toilet to account for the unknown number.
Independent charity Victim Support said: “WhatsApp impersonator scams see fraudsters posing as a loved one needing financial help. They’re really difficult to spot, and can be really convincing, especially if the scammer has access to your messages.”
Featured Image – Unsplash
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Walkers launches TWO new permanent crisp flavours for the first time in decades
Emily Sergeant
Walkers has launched two new crisp flavours to its permanent lineup for the first time in decades.
We all know the legendary crisp manufacturers have been no strangers to bringing out weird and wonderful concoctions and collaborations over the years – with Marmite, spicy tomato ketchup, fish and chips, steak and ale pie, and even Christmas pudding being just some of the foods turned into crisp form by the company over the years.
These limited-edition Walkers flavours usually have shoppers flocking to their nearest supermarket to stock up before they sell out.
But this time, there’s no need to dash, as these two new flavours are staying for good.
Walkers has launched two new permanent crisp flavours for the first time in decades / Credit: The Manc Group | Mustafa Bashari (via Unsplash)
It’s been a long time – decades, in fact – since Walkers announced permanent crisp flavours that would be stocked on UK shop shelves for years to come, but all that’s set to change, and we have a feeling they’re going to be pretty well-received.
Inspired by the authentic flavours of Japan and India, the two new Walkers crisp flavours are Sticky Teryaki and Chicken Masala.
These new additions come following a year of ‘rigorous’ testing of 63 different potentials, and Walkers said its research and development team finally landed on two flavours that are ‘so delicious’, they simply ‘had to be added’ to the permanent lineup.
The new Sticky Teriyaki flavour provides a balance between sweet and tangy, and it’s sure to hit your senses with an array of flavours from Japan.
The new Masala Chicken, on the other hand, packs a punch of flavour and provides the rich and spicy taste that makes Tikka Masala a firm favourite dish in the UK.
“Our development team has been on a mission for the past year to find two new flavours that meet the highest standards,” commented Wayne Newton, who is the Senior Marketing Director at Walkers, ahead of the crisps being launched.
“After thousands of crisps crunched, flavours tested, and bags rustled, we’re pleased to bring something entirely new to the table”.
Walkers’ new Sticky Teriyaki and Masala Chicken crisps are available to buy now in stores across the UK, so keep your eyes peeled.
Featured Image – Esperanza Doronila (via Unsplash)
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Britain’s top five neighbour ‘red flags’ revealed in an eye-opening new survey
Emily Sergeant
The top five ‘red flags’ of neighbours have been revealed, according to an eye-opening new survey of hundreds of Brits.
In an ideal world, we’d all be friendly with those on our street – but despite everyone’s best intentions, it doesn’t always work out that way, as the dream can begin to unravel once you find out the neighbours aren’t quite what you hoped for.
It’s no secret that who lives next door can shape your day-to-day life, regardless of whether you own or rent your home.
Unlike a dodgy paint colour or a bathroom that’s is need of some modernisation, neighbours aren’t really that easy to change.
Britain’s top five neighbour ‘red flags’ have been revealed in a hilarious new survey / Credit: James Feaver (via Unsplash)
But what exactly is it that really gets under Brits’ skin when it comes to their neighbours? In a bid to find out, Rightmove conducted a new survey and asked members of its research panel, Living Room, to share the neighbourly habits that raise the biggest ‘red flags’ in their books.
The number one neighbour red flag was discovered to be those who ask to borrow your WiFi password if theirs isn’t working or is yet to be installed, with 87% of survey respondents calling it a ‘no-go’, saying it’s not just cheeky, but can also slow down your connection too, meaning you’re left buffering when you don’t need to be.
So-called ‘bin offenders’ take the second spot. You know, those with overflowing bins spilling onto the street? Seven in 10 Brits say it’s a major red flag.
‘Parking pinchers’ take the third spot, with more than half of people (51%) said they’d be unhappy if a neighbour took their parking spot, 71% saying they are irritated by people parking outside their homes, and 70% disliking it when non-residents use their street.
70% of Brits say nosy neighbours are a ‘real issue’, meaning so-called curtain twitching is a red flag, and then 38% say knocking on or inviting round for a surprise cuppa is a ‘boundary-crossing’ move, as peace and quiet matters and unexpected visits can ‘throw off your home’s calm’.
Rightmove also found that 59% of Brits considering a moving to an area will drive by the property at different times of the day and week to check the ‘vibe’, and 43% will check local community groups for neighbour disputes that may apply.
58% say they are open to new areas if it means better neighbours.
Daisy Jackson -
15th July 2022 
