Blackmail Scam

GrannyGravy13

I keep getting texts from "Nat West Bank" asking me to respond or my account will be blocked..............haven't had an account with Nat West!!!

I had the same from HSBC, I don't have an account with them either. I phoned the HSBC to report the matter, they were very interested and concerned and stated they would follow it up internally as no one else had reported a similar incident.

I don't think this letter belongs to classic spam. In my opinion, they are trying to blackmail you and you need to take serious measures to combat this. I had a similar situation and decided to ask for help from a special instance. On the Internet, I found a source thanks to which I was able to conduct a [url=https://www.minclaw.com/internet-sextortion/[color=black] defamation lawsuit consultation online.[/color][/url]. Experienced lawyers gave me some advice on how to solve this problem and promised that they would also take part in it. I sometimes correspond with the scammer so as not to lose contact with him and I hope he will be punished soon.

I had a very convincing email allegedly from my bank telling me that I would be unable to use my credit card online unless i signed up for internet banking. They 'helpfully' provided me with a link to the app I would need. I spoke to my local branch,showing them the email. They told me that internet banking was a choice and they would never force people to do it. They said it was a scam. Thankfully , I hadn't clicked on any of the links. I pride myself on being 'savvy', but this email very nearly had me fooled.

Don't click on any emails that aren't familiar to you and certainly no links. I just delete them. I've just been a victim of fraud and was advised to change passwords every so often. Any unwanted phone calls, end them. They're up to all tricks these days so don't be gullible.

This is about a rogue phone call.

I remember some years ago I was lodging with an elderly couple - I wasn't in at the time that the event happened but they told me when I got back.

My landlord received a telephone call from Curry's or PC World about their new computer (yes, they had bought one recently). The 'technician' wanted him to log on and do a few things because that type of computer had some glitches that needed to be fixed but could be done remotely.

It so happened that, at that moment, a friend of theirs popped over for a visit and my then landlady mentioned about the phone call that her husband was dealing with.

Without hesitation, the friend went over to the telephone and cut the call. He advised the couple that their computer was in the process of being hacked!

The 'technician' called again but my landlord cut the call. The 'technician' rang again and the friend answered it this time and advised the 'technician' that his call was being reported as a scam. The 'technician' swore and cut the call. The caller didn't call back.

A few weeks later they received a call from their 'bank'. Fortunately the couple had wised up, said they were busy but "give me your number and I'll ring you back in a minute". They looked up their own bank's telephone number and rang, asking for the person who had rang them earlier. The person didn't exist of course.

Sadly these scams happen and many people are caught out.

FarNorth, so far the suggestions given by other readers have been good. I hope you don't get pestered by those emails again - with whatever action you decide to take. Good luck!

Juicylucy that was scary.
Hazeld the passwords thing is worrying if you still have the same password.
I don't but I feel a flurry of password changing coming on.

I also had that several weeks ago and it seems so did others I know. I just deleted it, blocked the number and then forgot about it. Nothing has happened since then.

Just the other day received a call supposedly from Talk Talk saying my computer had been compromised and could they have my details. I said there was nothing wrong with my computer and if there was I would call TalkTalk direct. They hung up so you know it’s a scam.

Hi FarNorth. You're not on your own. I've had one of these and my DH has had two recently. To be honest I just deleted mine and so did my DH as neither of us watch porn or ever intend to. What did worry us slightly was the fact that the passwords they said we use were indeed correct, so how did they get them? We don't know. If I do get another one, I will try to report it to the link supplied by Nonnie above www.actionfraud.police.uk/

I keep getting texts from "Nat West Bank" asking me to respond or my account will be blocked..............haven't had an account with Nat West!!!

I had the same last year it was accusing me of watching child pornography and it blocked my phone until I paid money I couldn’t call text email or do anything on my phone. I was appalled and drove straight to the Apple store and explained the situation they cleared it for me and showed me what to do if it happened again and advised me to call the police which I did and they have a special section that deals with this sort of thing, I gave them all the info they needed and they said they’d had an influx of these type of incidents and had traced them to Africa Guana.

I’ve had several messages from “SKY” thanking me for my order, confirming my order, telling me my order was cancelled, confirming my order has been shipped, giving me a delivery date then emails from “ROYAL MAIL” advising me they had a parcel for me from “SKY” then another giving me the delivery date and time. Then an email to say my package has been delivered and thanking me for my order. I didn’t order anything or receive anything and just forwarded the emails to SKY. Be warned, never respond to any of these emails. These fraudsters are so clever it’s frightening.

Dianalou - "they had video of me looking "hot" "

As a menopausal woman, there is not a photo or video around that doesn't have me looking hot. The only thing missing from that description is the "bothered and grumpy" at the end!

I've also had the porn watching threat. That was some time ago, and so far, none of the family have been forced to witness the spectacle of an imaginary me watching imaginary porn.

Report anything like this. Never pay any money and hopefully these scammers will be eradicated one day.

Received this exact scam myself. Believe it is already being dealt with officially. In fact, some of the perpetrators may have already been jailed. It's certainly not new. I had mine about a year ago.

As others have said FarNorth, just delete and ignore. I had the exact same email on my work email address and I work in a school, so you can imagine my concern initially. However, I then reminded myself that I hadn't been viewing porn and felt better! As a school we can forward such emails to the council who deal with these things and warn others. A few staff had the same email. However, I sent all my bank details to someone in Nigeria who has promised me an inheritance and it seems to be taking a while to arrive! (Joke!)

FarNorth - Ignore completely and delete...just another scam!

[email protected]

I too have received these sick emails, just send them straight to the police emails as listed above and then delete the lot. The evil people who send them soon get tired of no response, they only thrive when people respond.

BTW the police do want phishing scams to be reported, they won't contact you if you have not contacted the scammers but it does help them to build up their knowledge of who the scammers are and where they are operating.

Don't respond to any of these e-mails, check the official website of any company and you will find an address to report these scams. If you get a phone call hang up and phone the company on a number that you know and can verify is correct. Don't engage in any sort of conversation unless you have contacted them and know them to be genuine. Over the years I have had all sorts of scam emails, phone calls etc and I always report them.

I think that the police have enough to do but it could be helpful if we forward these unwanted attempts to hurt us.
My email had details of a bank account. Even if it only means that the scammers can no longer use that account it may inconvenience them.

I had a message left on my phone saying I was due to a refund for road tax.
From GOVUK and provided a link.
How they know my phone number I don't know but I knew it was a scam because I don't pay road tax.

I had a phone call 3 days ago purporting to be from HMRC stating that I had failed to respond to their payment demands for an underpaid tax bill, and that unless I spoke to them on x number, a warrant would be issued for my arrest and imprisonment! I knew this was a scam as I definitely don’t owe the tax man anything, In fact I am awaiting a refund for over paid tax!
I found it very difficult to report this scam to HMRC as it seems to want you to fill in an online reporting form, which was fiddly while I was out and about. I would have liked a phone number to call and report it to them instead.
These kinds of scams make me mad!! Imagine if I was a vulnerable or confused person who panicked and fell for it!
My DH suffers from mental health issues, and if he had received the call (even though he wouldn’t have called the number) he would have become incredibly anxious!!

It's an attempt at blackmail, by playing on people's fear.

I didn't expect anything to happen if I ignored it, but wanted to know if there is anywhere to report it to, which it seems there is.