UK Finance has issued a warning for consumers to be on the lookout for “smishing” text message scams from criminals exploiting the coronavirus outbreak.

Smishing is when criminals use text messages impersonating other organisations to trick people into giving away their personal and financial information or money.

The scam texts, often claiming to be from government departments, banks or other trusted organisations, commonly offer payments related to the coronavirus outbreak, or claim to be issuing fines. Often the messages will include a link to a fake website that is designed to trick people into giving away their financial and personal information such as bank details, passwords and credit card numbers.

UK Finance highlighted that criminals are also using a technique called “spoofing” – which can make a message appear in a chain of texts alongside previous genuine messages from that organisation – and suggested the banking industry is working closely with mobile network operators, government and other industry stakeholders to crack down on this type of fraud.


Earlier this month, UK Finance reported that the banking and finance industry had stopped over £1.8bn of fraud in 2019, which was a 9% rise from the previous year.

Amid the Covid-19 crisis, UK Finance is now urging consumers to avoid clicking on any links contained within text messages, and to always log into their bank account to update their information or make any legitimate payments. The trade association suggested customers should report suspected spam text texts to their mobile network provider by forwarding them to 7726.

UK Finance managing director of economic crime, Katy Worobec, commented: “Criminals are callously exploiting the coronavirus outbreak to commit fraud, including using scam text messages imitating government departments, banks and other trusted organisations.

“We are urging consumers to remain vigilant and avoid clicking on links in any unsolicited text messages in case it’s a scam. It’s always safer to log into your bank account directly or contact the organisation on a trusted number or email such as the one on their official website.”

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