Here at Emergency Services News, as well as being passionate about showing our readers the real side of the emergency services, we are also keen to help prevent people from becoming the victim of fraud.
We have seen some ‘chatter’ on the internet about a hoax message that is doing the rounds on WhatsApp at the moment where people are being spoofed into thinking that they have been given a chance to download “WhatsApp Gold”.
If you get this message, then delete it. Don’t pass it on and don’t open it!
The following advice has been published on ActionFraud.police.uk:
‘The “secret” messages sent to people’s inboxes claim you have an exclusive chance to download “WhatsApp Gold”.
‘The scam messages claim to offer enhanced features used by celebrities.
‘Victims are urged to sign up via a link provided.
‘WhatsApp say that they will never send users a message asking them to upgrade or download another app.
‘After clicking on the link you will be redirected to a fake page and your Android device will become infected with malware.
‘If you have already followed the link to download the software, install some antivirus software onto your device to remove the malware.
‘Sophos, AVG and Avast all offer this for free.
Despite this spoof being around since November, people are still falling victim to the spammers.
Don’t let them win! The biggest tool in the fight against spammers and fraudsters, is awareness.
By sharing this article with anyone you know who has WhatsApp, then you can help to disrupt the individuals who are trying to steal your information!
Action Fraud has also given this advice:
Mobile malware protection advice
- Always make sure you have the latest version of software and antivirus installed for increased protection.
- Be careful when downloading new apps as rogue ones can appear in legitimate app stores as well as unofficial online stores.
- Always check reviews and ratings as well as developer information before downloading a new app.
- If your battery suddenly starts draining really fast, consider that it might be a malware problem.
- Make sure to check your phone bill online periodically – more often than once a month, that way you can keep tabs on any suspicious activity.
To report a fraud and receive a police crime reference number, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use our online fraud reporting tool.
Sign up for free to Action Fraud Alert to receive direct, verified, accurate information about scams and fraud in your area by email, recorded voice and text message.
If you have a story, video or one-off blog that you would like to share with us, then you can contact our team of former emergency services & armed forces personnel either through our Facebook page, via twitter ( @ES_News_ ) or you can contact us via email: contact@emergency-services.news
If you run or manage a ‘job’ social media account and you would like us to share one of your stories then send us a tweet or a message!
If you would like to write an article that you would like us to share (it can be about anything to do with the emergency services / NHS) whether you serve in the emergency services / NHS or whether you are a member of the public that has had a good experience with the emergency services, then feel free to contact our team; anonymously if you prefer.
We are proud to act as a voice for the Emergency Services & Health Service, with over 500,000 people visiting our website each month.
Before you go...
We need your help. As former emergency services & armed forces personnel, we pride ourselves on bringing you important, fast-moving and breaking news stories which are free from the negative bias which is often directed at the emergency services by some sections of the mainstream media.
One of the reasons we started 'Emergency Services News' was because we became tired of reading badly informed stories about the emergency services which seemed only ever to highlight negative aspects of the job.
We want to be the unheard voice of the remarkable men and women who serve in the emergency services, NHS and armed forces. And with around 500k page views each month, we are getting there!
As income from ads, the mainstay source of income for most publishers, continues to decline; we need the help of our readers.
And remember, if you have a service, product or job vacancy that you would like to promote to our large readership, then you can buy advertising space in our articles.
You can support emergency services news from as little as £1. It only takes a minute. Every contribution, however big or small, is vital for our future.
Please help us to continue to highlight the life-saving work of the emergency services, NHS and armed forces by becoming a supporter.
