Britons are falling prey to a cunning scam masquerading as an innocuous £1 payment request, leading to the loss of their life savings, warns a fraud expert. The scam involves sending counterfeit text messages that claim a minor fee is required for a delivery or service.
However, clicking on the provided link could potentially grant criminals unrestricted access to your bank account. The fraudsters impersonate well-known companies, typically parcel couriers or government agencies, requesting a £1 payment to release a package or authenticate an account.
The message includes a link that directs victims to a fraudulent website, which is a spitting image of the legitimate one. Once victims input their details, scammers gain entry into their bank accounts and can siphon off funds within mere minutes.
Paul Hampson, director of CEL Solicitors, commented: “These scams are incredibly sophisticated. The fake websites look so real that it’s alarmingly easy to fall into the trap.”
Who is susceptible to the £1 text scam?
Any individual who shops online or receives delivery texts is a potential victim. With online shopping reaching record levels, scammers are capitalising on unsuspecting consumers.
“We’ve seen a surge in these types of scams,” Mr Hampson said. “People are busy; they see a small payment request and assume it’s routine. But that simple click can cost them everything.”
Victims have reported losses amounting to thousands within hours. Some have had their entire savings depleted before they even grasped what had transpired.
“Once scammers have your details, they move fast,” warned Mr Hampson. “They’ll transfer money through multiple accounts, making it almost impossible to recover.”
Be vigilant for scams
What to look out for:
- Unexpected payment requests – Legitimate companies don’t demand surprise fees via text.
- Generic greetings – Messages that don’t use your name should raise suspicion.
- Urgency and threats – Scammers often warn that your parcel will be ‘returned’ or your account ‘frozen’ if you don’t act fast.
- Unfamiliar links – Always check URLs carefully before clicking.
“If you get a text like this, don’t click the link. Go directly to the official website and check if there’s really an issue,” advised Mr Hampson.
He emphasised the need for proactive measures, saying: “Always visit official websites directly rather than using links from texts. If you receive a suspicious message, report it by forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM). And keep a close eye on your bank statements – if anything looks off, contact your bank immediately.”
Despite efforts by banks and mobile providers to combat fraud, scammers are persistently devising new methods to deceive individuals. Mr Hampson cautioned: “Even with increased security, the best defence is awareness. If something feels off, trust your gut. A £1 request might seem harmless, but the real cost could be devastating.”
