We use cookies to allow us and selected partners to improve your experience and our advertising. By continuing to browse you consent to our use of cookies. You can understand more and change your cookies preferences here.
When you click on a retailer link on our site, we may earn affiliate commission to help fund our not-for-profit mission.Find out more.
Banks are warning about a recent string of fraudulent text messages which aim to convince people something is wrong with their accountsso they unwittingly hand over their personal details to scammers.
Santander is the latest in a series of high street banks that have been imitated by the scammers. It is warning people to delete the text immediately.
The text scam, also known as 'smishing', is designed to convince victims to hand over their personal details, pay money or download a virus - all attempts to scam people out of money.
The fraudsters are using specialist software to alter the sender ID so the message appears to come from Santander. And it can often be added to an existing chain of messages on the victim's phone.
The message says that their security team has tried to get in touch about the person's online account andurges them to click a 'secure link' to avoid account suspicion.
Santander has used its social media accounts to warn anyone who has received the text not to click on the link, delete the message and to email the bank atsmishing@santander to report the text.
Many people who have replied to the social media warnings have said they've received the message even though they don't bank with Santander.
Halifax, Lloyds, NatWest have also been plagued by the scam.
Smishing scams can be sophisticated, closely resembling legitimate messages from well-known banks or credit card providers. But you can take steps to avoid falling prey to these tactics.
You can also read our advice on how to spot a scam and report a scam.
The banks have all posted warnings on their websites and given some tips on how to avoid the scams. All of them said they would never: