The problem of “scam” e-mails continues, and it is possible for anyone to fall into the trap if attention lapses even for an instant. I am ashamed to say that I clicked on a link in an email which purported to be from LinkedIn, resulting in my computer becoming infected. It took our IT people a couple of hours to get the problem sorted.
The e-mail was so convincing that even now I am unable to see the difference between it and the real thing. Unfortunately, that means that all e-mails from LinkedIn are now ignored.
There are several new ones that have come to our attention in recent weeks.
Firstly, there is one that purports to be an “automated response” email from Companies House stating that “(CC01) Company Complaint for the above company was accepted on (date)”. There is a Companies House form CC01, but is does not relate to a complaint. We checked the file of the client who received this e-mail and no such form had been submitted or accepted.
Secondly, there is one that appears to be from a firm of solicitors and concerns “tax notices” with a zip-file attachment (always dangerous).
Thirdly, there is one that is supposed to be from the land registry, again with a zip-file attachment.
Fourthly, a good personal friend was apparently stranded in the Philippines having had his wallet with all his credit cards stolen and being unable to pay his hotel bill. I was a little bewildered as I had only seen him walking along the road that same morning!
There are, of course, the usual “you have won a lottery even though you haven’t bought a ticket” variety, as well as the “you have overpaid your tax and there is a repayment waiting for you” e-mail.
A few rules that should help to keep you safe, and my apologies to those of you who know more about this than myself:
1. HM Revenue and Customs will never send out an unsolicited e-mail, nor will they ask for personal details by e-mail.
2. Companies House will only ever send a “webfiling” receipt to the person who has filed the information, and that person must have previously registered themselves with Companies House.
3. Be extremely wary of attachments, especially zip files. Unless they are from someone who is known to you and are expected then they should not be opened.
4. And finally – if you ain’t entered then you ain’t won.
Stay safe and prosper!