The first [...]]]> A few days ago i started getting texts from Top Deals. I was quiet surprised as it was something that i hadn’t requested. I am also very careful when filling out forms to tick or un-tick box to ensure my details aren’t passed on to third parties or, that further promotions aren’t sent on.

The first message looked like this:

FREEMSG: Top Deals Alert – reminder that new deals are online now, visit teletxt.co.uk now, on phone or pc. Enjoy. Help? 08432894020.

As the second text came in it stated the following:

FREEMSG: Just confirming that TopDeals membership is live, continue getting Topdeals costs just £1.50 / month To cancel text STOP to 88101 Help? 08432894020

I thought about this and figured it was probably a scam. I searched on the Internet and only came up with their web site, which was very poor.

I sent an email to the address on the web site asking them to remove me as i was concerned that texting ‘stop’ to 88101 would be expensive. Predictably there was no response so I contacted my phone provider to try and find out more and the costs.

I had already been charged £1.50 for the first month and I was told this charge could not be reversed and that I would have to call the number provided. I asked what the cost of calling this number would be and I was told it would be a whopping 35 pence per minute.

I bit the bullet and texted stop to 88101 at a cost of 10 pence.

The point is, they have probably done this to thousands of people claiming there £1.50′s. As far as i can see this is almost certainly illegal due to the fact that i have not entered into a contract for this service.

If you get these text message my advice is to immediately text stop to 88101, you may get away with the £1.50 charge and don’t call the the number provided.

Be very wary of any emails that come through, warning you of a potential threats, or stating [...]]]> Internet Fraud

It doesn’t matter how careful you are with updating your computer with the latest anti virus software, spy ware and switching on phishing alerts, you still need to be very careful about being duped into divulging your online credentials.

Be very wary of any emails that come through, warning you of a potential threats, or stating that your online accounts have been compromised and asking you to log on. If you do get such emails you should not click on any of the links within the email as these may take you to a bogus site.  Instead you should carry out a search for the organisation in question to find their genuine web site, or use your previously stored short cuts.

Also when entering any passwords ensure the address bar at the top, starts with https: The ‘s’ meaning that it is secure. (see below)

The latest news from Microsoft is that they have joined in the fight against cyber crime by joining the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA). For more information read the full article