People in Gedling borough are being warned after an increase in banking scams being sent via text messages. 

The warning has been issued by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) over the scam texts.

In most cases, they pretend to be security messages from a bank requesting confirmation of a payment made from a digital device not used before.

The message asks the recipient to tap a link to confirm payment to a named person. All of the phoney messages seen so far contain links that request the recipient’s bank login details, putting the targeted person at serious risk of theft and banking fraud. 

The evidence included messages claiming to be from four of the UK’s largest banks and building societies, including Barclays, Halifax, HSBC and Lloyds. 

The warning comes with increased concerns as digital payments, mainly through mobile devices, have witnessed a surge during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Katherine Hart, a lead officer at CTSI, said: “I am witnessing so many reports of this scam; indeed, I have received multiple versions of it on my phone. The public is very vulnerable to this type of fraud, especially when more people rely on online payments. 

“Fraudsters change the form and methods of their scams to match shifting consumer behaviour. The surge in online shopping and payments means that the public must be more vigilant when making online payments and receiving messages claiming to be from their bank.

“If you receive a suspicious text like this, please contact your bank directly and verify with them. Also, forward any scam texts to 7726, which is a free reporting service ran by Ofcom. We must protect ourselves and others from these scams but also provide vital intelligence to authorities.”

To report scams, contact Action Fraud.

To report email scams, contact the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) by emailing report@phishing.gov.uk

For consumer advice, please call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133

Lockdown restrictions in Gedling borough and across England are being eased today.

Wales lifted some of their Covid restrictions on Saturday, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have also started relaxing their rules.

What changes from today (March 29)

Larger groups of up to six people, from any number of households, or a group of any size from up to two households, are allowed to gather in parks and gardens in England, according to Government guidelines.

The Government’s “stay at home” order will end, with messaging moving to “stay local”, but people will be asked to continue to work from home where possible, and overseas travel will remain banned.

Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts are also set to reopen, with organised adult and children’s sport – including grassroots football – able to return.

– When will more restrictions be eased ?

From April 12 at the earliest, shops, hairdressers, nail salons, libraries and outdoor hospitality venues such as beer gardens will be allowed to reopen.

Most outdoor attractions such as zoos and theme parks can reopen, although wider social distancing rules will still apply to prevent indoor mixing between different households.

Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms and swimming pools will also be opened but for use by people on their own or in household groups.

Funerals can continue with up to 30 people, and the numbers able to attend weddings, receptions and commemorative events such as wakes will rise from six to 15.

– What happens next in England?

From no earlier than May 17 most social contact rules outside will be lifted although gatherings of more than 30 will remain illegal.

Indoors, the rule of six or two households will apply – although the Government has said it will keep under review whether it is safe to increase this.

ndoor hospitality, entertainment venues such as cinemas and soft play areas, the rest of the accommodation sector, and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes will also reopen.

Limited crowds will also be allowed at sporting events.

All remaining restrictions on social contact could be lifted from June 21, allowing for larger events to go ahead and nightclubs to reopen.

– How is the Government deciding when to lift restrictions?

There will a minimum of five weeks between each step of easing restrictions in England to allow for coronavirus-related data to be assessed against four tests:

The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully.

Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing the number admitted to hospital and deaths in those vaccinated.

Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospital admissions, which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.

The assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new variants of concern.