EE has issued a crucial warning today that customers would do well to heed. The UK mobile network has sounded the alarm after research revealed that some phone users are divulging personal information far too readily via text messages.
Shockingly, of the 2,000 UK users polled, a staggering 93% confessed to sharing personal data over text, messaging apps or social media, potentially opening themselves up to impersonation or scams. Many appear to be doing so while online dating or conversing with individuals they’ve only just met, and with today being Valentine’s Day, vigilance is more important than ever.
“Online dating has introduced exciting new possibilities for singles, but it’s also provided a fresh hunting ground for criminals seeking innovative ways to defraud their victims,” warned EE. “One in ten (11 percent) people currently dating report being targeted by a coordinated romance scam, with one in five losing an average of £2,500 as a result.”
EE’s findings also revealed that 65% admitted to sharing their phone number, 51% disclosed their location, and 35% granted access to their social media profile.
More concerning still is that 345 of those surveyed reported experiencing suspicious behaviour when messaging a potential match, and 15% have even been directly asked for money, reports the Mirror.
The danger in divulging personal information is that the individual on the other end of the line may not be who they claim to be. Despite seeming authentic, they could merely be attempting to exploit users by pilfering information, which can subsequently be used for identity fraud.
Even if you’re not an EE customer, it’s crucial to remain alert. EE reported a surge in scam texts during the same Valentine’s Day period last year.
The network blocked 12 million hazardous messages in February 2024, marking an increase from the monthly average of 8.9 million over the previous year. The company anticipates this February will follow suit and is urging people to stay vigilant.
“Scammers are experts at preying on the vulnerable”, warns Richard Wainer, Regulatory Affairs Director at EE. “At this time of year, when social media is awash with public displays of affection, it can be tempting to ignore the warning signs, but recognising them is more crucial than ever.”
To assist you in staying safe, EE has released a list of its top red flags to be aware of when engaging online.
These include asking for money or gifts (64 percent), using urgent or emotional language (49 percent), avoiding video calls or face-to-face meetings (41 percent), sharing a sob story to elicit sympathy (31 percent), providing inconsistent responses (24 percent), evading personal questions (20 percent), boasting or making grand promises (12 percent), and asking overly personal questions (11 percent).