All EE customers are being cautioned as a deceptive text message scam has resurfaced recently, causing heightened vigilance. The fraudulent message prompts recipients to claim their supposed “EE reward points” before they expire, leading them to a sophisticated-looking website that is actually a scam aimed at stealing money and personal information. This issue appears to be on the rise, with a noticeable increase in reported incidents this month.
Numerous EE users have taken to online forums to alert others about the scam. One user shared, “I received a text regarding my rewards this morning. I clicked on the link, and the website looked very authentic. Please be cautious.” Another user admitted, “I fell for a text about EE points rewards and entered my phone number in a moment of carelessness. I quickly realized it was a scam and closed the site.”
Phonely, a cybersecurity firm, has verified a surge in reports on its scam-tracking platform “Who Called Me,” indicating that fraudulent messages are being sent from random numbers impersonating EE. The firm advises all mobile users to exercise caution when receiving unexpected messages regarding rewards, prizes, or expiring benefits.
Bryn Thompson, Marketing Director at Phonely, emphasized the deceptive nature of these texts, stating, “Scammers craft these messages to appear highly convincing, catching people off guard easily. They are adept at blending scam messages with everyday notifications. It is crucial not to click on links in unsolicited texts. When in doubt, contact your mobile provider directly using official contact information.”
EE has clarified that it does not operate a points or rewards program and has shared a sample of the scam message to help customers identify it. The company advises recipients of such messages to ignore them and refrain from clicking any links.
The fraudulent text typically reads: “The EE points program reminds you: Since you are a high-quality user of our company, we will give you some points as a gift. The points will expire in three working days. Please click on the link below to redeem prizes using your points!”
To ensure security, EE stresses, “This message is not authentic. Avoid clicking on unknown links in text messages, do not respond, do not call the provided number, and never disclose personal or financial information.”
In conclusion, if you receive a message from EE regarding reward points, exercise caution by refraining from clicking on any links or divulging personal details.