Be Scam Aware - Phishing email Virgin Media

Central

Bedfordshire

Scam Aware

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Trading Standards team is warning consumers to be aware of phishing emails that appear to be specifically targeting Virgin Media customers.

We have received information from a concerned consumer who has recently received a suspicious email requesting personal and financial information to be provided. At first glance the email appears to be genuine and sent by Virgin Media. The email received by the consumer in question is as follows:

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Dear Virgin Media Customer:

Thank you for using Virgin Media Online.

In order for Virgin Media to establish your Virgin Media Online profile, we require that you provide some additional documentation to verify your identity.

A valid driver’s license, state issued ID, or passport

AND

A current bill or statement in your name and profile address (One-Level A document OR Two-Level B documents)

Level A:
Utility Bill (water/electric/gas,etc.)
Bank Statement (checking/savings/moneymarket,etc.)

Level B:
Bank Note Statement (home loan/car loan/student loan)
Phone Bill (landline or cell phone)
Credit Card Bill
Insurance Bill/Statement

Please send these documents to Virgin Media by fax. Our fax number is 0800 098 8304. You must include your email address, subject title.

Within 24-48 hours after receiving the faxed information, Virgin Media will send you an e-mail regarding the status of your account.

If you have any questions, please contact Virgin Media Online by calling 0800 098 8304. and we will be happy to assist you.

Sincerely,
Virgin Media International
Electronic Operations Department
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Based on the information provided we believe that this email is clearly a "phishing" scam, designed to obtain personal and financial details.

Our advice to consumers is, if you receive one of these emails, please delete it without replying - by replying to the email you will alert the scam artist that your email address is active and maybe targeted for future scam attempts. Please act with extreme caution before considering whether to provide the information requested. An organisation the size of Virgin Media is very unlikely to make such a request. It is also worth asking yourself why such a hi-tech organisation is still using fax machines in this day and age!

If you have any doubts as to whether an email is genuine or not, please contact Virgin Media Customer Services using the telephone numbers listed on their own website.

If you have any information about suspect rogue traders or would like to report a possible scam please initially contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06, in order so that all relevant regulatory authorities can be notified.

In the meantime, please visit our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/bescamaware for advice and guidance on how to spot a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.

If you would like to stop receiving our email notifications, please email wlmailhtml:{FFEB0CE7-6344-4A45-8C99-FCEFD461AF9C}mid://00000012/!x-usc:blocked::mailto:be.scamaware@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk with the subject heading as “UNSUBSCRIBE” and provide your email address and postcode for verification purposes.

Kind regards

Trading Standards

(Community Safety and Public Protection)

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Central Bedfordshire Council Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ

Telephone: 0300 300 8136 Email: trading.standards@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

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Information security classification* of this email: Not protected

*Information security definitions:

Restricted - Sensitive Data only to be sent via secure email

Protected - Contains personal data covered by the Data Protection Act

Not Protected - General Data

Central Bedfordshire Council
Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands,
Shefford, Bedfordshire SG17 5TQ
customer.services@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

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Improving the quality of life for all

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This email is confidential and intended exclusively for the use of the intended recipient(s). Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Central Bedfordshire Council. If you are not the intended recipient(s) please note that any form of distribution, copying or use of this e-mail or the information in it is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender and then delete the message and any attachments from your system.

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