Fraudsters are targeting NatWest customers with dangerous new text scam
If you have a NatWest account, the fake message will appear in a thread along with genuine messages
James Andrews
Andrew BaberSenior news and sports writer
Fraudsters are targeting customers of one of the UK's largest high-street banks.
Text messages claiming to be from NatWest are being sent by criminals to the bank's customers to try and swindle money from them.
The messages look genuine but send recipients to a site that demands the kind of information that banks never ask for, reports Mirror Online.
Customers are warned of suspicious activity on their accounts and are sent a link to click.
Here is an example of a fraudulent message: "A suspicious login at 3.02pm from an unknown device was found. If this was not genuine please login via...".
Watch out for this simple scam being used by fraudsters to get into your bank account
This message is followed by a link to the scam site.
It's especially dangerous, because if you have a NatWest account, it will appear in a message thread along with genuine messages.
The message might look like it's come from NatWest (Image: Mirror.co.uk)
Unfortunately, this is not the only example of the scam being sent.
"We have received reports about fraudsters sending out a range of messages purporting to be from NatWest that lead to websites harvesting personal banking information," Action Fraud said.
"Fraudsters are using specialist software which alters the sender ID on the message so that it appears as if it's come from NatWest, adding it to any existing message threads on the recipient's phone.
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"If you already bank with NatWest and had a legitimate message from them in the past this could easily catch you out."
It went on to warn: "If you click on the link you'll be taken to an exact replica of the NatWest website that asks for sensitive personal information including full name, address, contact details, PIN and debit card numbers."
The message will look genuine (Image: Getty Images)
A phone call doesn't make it real
Worryingly, fraudsters aren't stopping at a text.
"One woman reported receiving a fake text message like the ones above that urged her to 'avoid account suspension' - which she ignored," Action Fraud said.
"Later on that day she received a call from a withheld number on her mobile phone from a fraudster posing as a member of the NatWest security team.
"The fraudster said she would be sent a text message with a 6 digit security code and once she received it to immediately tell him what that code was.
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"The text came through instantly whilst she was still on the phone and she gave the fraudster the code. This was in fact a genuine NatWest message which contained a warning not to disclose the code.
The victim then got a real text from NatWest to say a different mobile number to her own had been registered to her NatWest mobile banking app.
After the victim immediately checked her app she found £130 had been removed via the Get Cash function. NatWest are investigating the fraud."
The scam is designed to trick you into clicking on the URL
Action Fraud has the following tips for staying safe from phone scams:
Don't assume anyone who's sent you an email or text message – or has called your phone or left you a voicemail message – is who they say they are.
If a phone call or voicemail, email or text message asks you to make a payment, log in to an online account or offers you a deal, be cautious. Real banks never email you for passwords or any other sensitive information by clicking on a link and visiting a website. If you get a call from someone who claims to be from your bank, don't give away any personal details.
Make sure your spam filter is on your emails. If you find a suspicious email, mark it as spam and delete it to keep out similar emails in future.
If in doubt, check it's genuine by asking the company itself. Never call numbers or follow links provided in suspicious emails; find the official website or customer support number using a separate browser and search engine.
A call does not make it real (Image: Getty)
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Their spelling, grammar, graphic design or image quality is poor quality. They may use odd 'spe11lings' or 'cApiTals' in the email subject to fool your spam filter.
If they know your email address but not your name, it'll begin with something like 'To our valued customer', or 'Dear...' followed by your email address.
The website or email address doesn't look right; authentic website addresses are usually short and don't use irrelevant words or phrases. Businesses and organisations don't use web-based addresses such as Gmail or Yahoo.
Money's been taken from your account, or there are withdrawals or purchases on your bank statement that you don't remember making.
To report a fraud and cyber crime and receive a police crime reference number, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use its online fraud reporting tool.
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