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OFT sends fake scam messages

Your Money
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Your Money
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21/02/2024

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has sent thousands of fake scam text messages to 18 to 24 year-old mobile phone users, in an effort to raise awareness about scams.

The text message, sent out as part of Scams Awareness Month, read: “Urgent! U may have won £1k cash with ’2 Good 2 B True.” The message was then followed shortly afterwards by a second text which made clear there was no prize and that the message had been sent by the OFT to warn about scams.

According to the OFT, around 6% of all scam victims are aged between 15 and 24, losing money to a variety of mass marketed scams each year.

Mike Haley, director of consumer protection at the OFT, said: “Young people can fall for exactly the same types of scam as anyone else, often delivered through the latest technology. We hope that our innovative approach of sending fake scam text messages will remind young consumers to be on their guard if they receive a suspicious offer.”


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