'I opened simple Whatsapp message and this is what happened next'
Most people use Whatsapp, as it's a popular form of communication; however, when I opened one message lately, I wasn't prepared for what happened next. Here's what unfolded
It's safe to say that Whatsapp is one of my most frequently used phone apps, as I use it daily to keep in touch with friends and family; however, recently I stumbled upon something that people should be alerted to. A few weeks ago, a message appeared on my phone from Sky, or at least, it seemed like it was a message from Sky.
The Whatsapp message arrived with "Sky" listed as the sender and it also featured very convincing branding, appearing completely legitimate. Upon opening the message, it informed me that I was eligible for a broadband upgrade, which didn't raise any suspicions at the time.
But, despite not clicking on any links or discussing the supposed upgrade with anyone, I was left gobsmacked by the subsequent events. Simply opening this single Whatsapp message triggered a chain of scam-targeted incidents.
Unconvinced that I would just be given a free upgrade, I deleted the message, but several more followed in the ensuing week. After being informed that an engineer was being dispatched to my home, I reached out to Sky to find out exactly what was going on.
I was promptly told it was a scam, and the staff were extremely helpful in recording it and advising me on what to do if I received any more. As soon as the conversation concluded, an email arrived confirming my "new contract."
Within moments, another scam had arrived in my inbox. What astounded me most was how convincing it looked - the email address didn't appear suspicious, the spelling was spot on and it was formatted as you'd expect a professional letter to be.
Again, being sceptical, the only thing that didn't sit right with me was that companies don't typically send someone to your house without confirming you're there. This prompted me to report another scamming incident to Sky.
Fortunately for me, I refrained from clicking on any links, which both the texts and emails were riddled with. This is one action you should always avoid if you receive a dubious form of correspondence.
However, it's easy to see how individuals can fall into the trap when the emails look so authentic. The detail in the email genuinely took me aback.
Regrettably, the irritation didn't end there, as I've since received numerous phone calls from a suspected spam number. When you Google it, it indicates the number is linked with a broadband scam, so it's fairly clear they keep attempting to target me.
Although I've received the occasional scam message in the past, I've never experienced anything at this intensity. The scammers seem to be both sophisticated and persistent in their attempts to trick me.
However, I've since blocked the number, and followed Sky's advice to try and prevent them from contacting me via email and text. I was informed this can be achieved by reaching out to the relevant service providers.
Nonetheless, the incessant calls and messages have been incredibly frustrating, and it's infuriating to think how easily vulnerable individuals can be targeted.
It's a problem that's escalating, and we need to take action to halt it. By speaking out, hopefully, it will raise awareness of this growing issue.
Sky is dedicated to safeguarding its customers' personal data from ID theft and fraud. It provides comprehensive guidance on its website to help customers protect themselves from fraud, and continues to collaborate closely with industry partners, Government and law enforcement to tackle these challenges.
Sky is also proud to be a signatory to the Telecommunications Fraud Charter and looks forward to contributing to the development of its second iteration.
For further support and advice on scams, whether it's rogue traders, romantic scams, scam mail, phone calls, texts or emails, visit the Citizens Advice website at www.citizensadvice.org.uk or call 03454 04 05 06.
