UK authority reports 45 million scams in three months
Close to 45 million Brits have been getting potential scam texts or calls in the last three months, according to UK media authority Ofcom. Text scams are most common with three quarters of 16-34 year-olds targeted. Six in ten of persons older than 75 have received suspicious calls to their landline.
Ofcom research shows that in the last three months alone, 2% reported following scammers’ instructions in a message or call. “This equates to almost a million people , who risk financial loss and emotional distress if a scam attempt is successful”, Ofcom said.
82% in the survey said they had received a suspicious message, in the form of either a text, recorded message or live phone call to a landline or mobile. This represents an estimated 44.6 million adults in the UK, according to Ofcom.
“Scams are more commonly attempted via text messages with seven in 10 people (71%) saying they have received a suspicious text, and three quarters (75%) of those aged 16-34 were targeted.”
“More than four in 10 (44%) who had received a suspicious text message reported receiving such a message at least once a week.”
Ofcom research shows that suspicious calls continue to be a threat for landline users, with older people particularly susceptible.
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