EE is warning users to watch out for suspicious texts today and the red flags to be wary of.
EE has issued an ‘important’ warning today, so you’d be wise not to ignore it. The UK mobile network says it has released the alert after research found that some phone users are handing out personal information far too easily via text messages. In fact, of the 2,000 UK users surveyed, a whopping (93%) admitted to sharing personal data over text, messaging apps or social media, which could be used to impersonate or scam them.
It seems many are doing so when dating online or chatting with people they may have only just met, and with today being Valentine’s Day, it’s more important than ever to stay alert.
“Online dating has opened exciting new options for singles, but also a novel channel for criminals hunting for new ways to defraud their victims,” EE said.
“One in ten (11 percent) people on the dating scene today now report that they have been targeted by a coordinated romance scam, with one in five losing an average of £2,500 as a result.”
EE’s data also showed that 65% admitted to sharing their phone number, 51% shared their location, and 35% offered access to their social media profile.
More worrying is that 345 of those surveyed also said they had then experienced suspicious behaviour when messaging with a potential suitor, and 15% have even been directly asked for money.
The risk in sharing personally sensitive information is that the person on the other end of the phone might not be who they say they are. Despite appearing genuine, they could simply be looking to exploit users by stealing information, which can then be used for impersonation scams.
Even if you are not an EE customer you should still stay vigilant. EE says that during the same Valentine’s Day period last year it recorded a spike in scam texts. The network said it blocked 12 million dangerous messages in February 2024 – that’s an increase in the monthly average of 8.9 million over the past year.
The firm said it expects this February to be no different and is warning people to be vigilant.
“Scammers are experts at preying on the vulnerable”, says Richard Wainer, Regulatory Affairs Director at EE. “At this time of year, when social media is full of public displays of affection, it can be tempting to turn a blind eye to the red flags, but spotting them is more important than ever.”
To help you stay safe, EE has published a list of its top red flags to watch out for when chatting online.
• Asking for money or gifts (64 percent)
• Using urgent or emotional language (49 percent)
• Avoiding video calls or in-person meetings (41 percent)
• Telling a sob story to evoke pity (31 percent)
• Giving inconsistent answers (24 percent)
• Dodging personal questions (20 percent)
• Showing off, or promising the world (12 percent)
• Asking overly personal questions (11 percent)