Cornwlall Council has warned that fraudsters are targeting people with fake COVID-19 text messages. These text messages are links to go get COVID test, telling people that they have been in contact people with COVID-19 como counsel advising people to think twice about clicking on these links. Today, we'll be talking to Carrie with one of our consultants who's going to talk us through how to protect ourselves when this sort of terror attack happens. So Karen, what is the first point of call on your CV is the sort of text messages.

So when you receive a text message, it's obviously a scam tax, it's important to look at who sent it sent like a postcard for for example, avoid it, if you can respond to it, avoid it, look for government approved entities such as UK, Gov, NHS, things like that, if it's possible for the staff just avoided, it is likely a scam.
And here are these who otherwise have it's called the sort of scams. So with these
kinds of scams, generally, you know, people scammers will throw them out as far as they possibly can, they will get certain attacks that absolutely anybody, unfortunately, people who normally fall victim to them. People will that's it, whatever, you know, all the people who don't understand technology as well. And that normally got taken advantage of. Yeah, that's what they'll do. Yeah, generally, people 50 Plus as the main demographic. Yeah.

And why does it matter that people don't click on these links?
By clicking on these links, you know, it can allow scammers to instal malicious software on your phone, they can access private information, your pictures, bank details, anything like that can leave your opt in.
So as a worst case scenario, say if I personally clicked on the link, what what is the first point of action from that point, if you have already clicked on that link, because I know a lot of people panic and then nothing happens straightaway. But what what can somebody do sort of protect themselves if they do click on that link.
So in the event, you do click on the link like that, it's important to block the number straightaway. So the current contact you can attach to any kind of account such as you know, your maybe your social media accounts, bank accounts, anything like that you access on your phone, change your password as soon as possible. And then update the software on the phone as well to make sure that if there is any malicious content has been installed, pitfall that arose.

Yeah. Perfect. Thank you. So you can see that Karen, there's a lot of a lot of vital information there that a lot of people should take on board and Cornwall Council are advising people to think twice before clicking on these links. Next week, we will be joined with mm who's going to take us through the next major news story. Thank you.

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